Client Brief:
The clients wanted a permanent home in the forest that felt both protective and connected. They asked for a design that maximized views, minimized disturbance to the site, and incorporated resilience against wildfire.
Location:
The house sits more than a mile up a dirt road in the Ponderosa pine forest, on land scattered with volcanic rock known locally as malapai. The clearing is small and remote, with harsh winters and the constant threat of fire.
Design Solution:
The house occupies a modest flat clearing at the crest of a hill, leaving most trees intact. A double-height living space opens to an elevated patio with 180-degree views. Above it, a three-story tower serves as both lookout and retreat, offering panoramic views of storms, snow, and fire conditions.
Materials tie the house to its terrain. Stones collected on site form the foundation skirt, doubling as fire protection. Rusted steel siding reflects the iron-rich soil, and a Class A standing-seam roof reduces fire risk. Wood siding softens the composition while blending with the forest canopy.
Inside, radiant-heated concrete floors keep the house warm through long winters. A large wood-burning fireplace anchors the living space. A bridge crosses above the kitchen to connect the tower levels, adding both circulation and light.
Result:
Malapai Tower House stands as lookout and shelter in the Ponderosa forest. It draws from the volcanic terrain and trees around it while giving its owners protection, warmth, and wide views of the wilderness.
