Project Spotlight: Frazier Homestead

Every so often a project grabs ahold of us and won’t let go. That’s what happened when we were commissioned to design an 11,800 square foot home on Wilson Mesa. Atop a windy bluff near Telluride, Colorado, the site–a historical ruin–was remote and uncompromising; a reminder of ancient times and the ultimate challenge to execute the future of design.

The homeowners wanted something that would stand up to the unusually harsh elements, while adhering to its storied past. To further the design intent we utilized the existing rubble, which was reminiscent of the ancient masonry structures of those who once inhabited the land, the Anasazi people. Additionally, we kept the stone outcrop, which had fractured off of the matrix of the sandstone, through numerous freeze-thaw cycles, building a virtual a fortress for its inhabitants.

Inside, glass was a natural complement to the onsite minerals and a necessary requisite for capturing the extraordinary views. Copper cladding, indigenous to the region, were a nod to technological advancements within the location and palette of the ancient stone. “The transition in the patina of the copper over time will allow a graceful aging process,” explains CCA Founder Charles Cunniffe, who loves to reminisce about this project.

We are proud of this unusual but striking abode. It’s ageless and timeless which is what we strive for with all of our buildings. To see more visit our website.

 

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Top 5 Attributes to Design Your Sustainable Legacy Home

Last month, one of our favorite projects, Elk Peak Ranch, was named ‘Home of the Year’ by Mountain Living Magazine.  The homeowners from Beverly Hills, CA, wanted a picturesque vacation retreat, but more, they wanted a family home that they could pass on to their children and grandchildren. The result was a stunning LEED Silver certified 15,000 sf home on a historic ranching property outside of Aspen.

At CCA, legacy homes–ones that can be passed on from generations of family–are vital to our clientele. We decided to come up with our own list of design tips to keeping a home efficient, so it can be enjoyed by generations to come.

  1. Pick your site wisely. Work with an architect to design the home on the site that maximizes passive solar and ventilation.
  2. Thoughtfully design a floor-plan that accommodates smaller and larger groups – since second homes are typically utilized differently throughout the year. Heat the spaces that are being utilized, vs. heating the whole house if only a portion is being enjoyed.
  3. Create a low-maintenance exterior by selecting materials that can withstand the elements and require minimal yearly maintenance. At Elk Peak Ranch, one of the exterior materials used was Rysysta siding, which is a sustainable, composite siding material.
  4. Reduce energy reliance and costs by integrating solar, geothermal and independent energy storage capabilities like batteries, generators, and fuel cells.
  5. Consider drought-tolerant plantings with high efficiency and limited irrigation system, for reduced water usage.

 

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