Nestled in the foothills south of Lyons, Colorado, the Chen Residence is a home for a couple relocating for a more intimate connection to nature and access to the Rocky Mountains’ myriad outdoor activities. While located within a subdivision of a few dozen neighboring homes, the steep hillside site and adjacent cliff face afford a sense of seclusion, while offering stunning panoramic Front Range views to the west and north.

Carefully positioned to provide privacy from the adjacent homes, and to frame specific peak views, the home is comprised of three wings organized around a vaulted great room. Operable fenestration and a seamless flow to an outdoor patio embrace the site’s magnificent natural setting. The guest wing is located to the south tucked into the hillside, while the primary suite is located to the north and floats over the landscape, maximizing the views while creating a protected outdoor room adjacent to the gym for yoga and meditation. The office, garage and service areas are in an eastern wing which extends into the more intimate forested part of the site.

Clad with durable, non-combustible materials as a wildfire mitigation measure, the weathered steel panels and board formed concrete provide a characteristic ruggedness that will age gracefully and require minimal maintenance over time.