A Landscape of Regional Significance
Beneath a canopy of mature cottonwoods, Thunder River Residence sits along one of the Rocky Mountains’ most ecologically significant rivers. Nearby, a lake once formed by miners at the turn of the 19th century has become a cherished community preserve. Today, this landscape supports a thriving wetland network that shelters wildlife and sustains regional biodiversity.
A Transformative Vision
Within this extraordinary setting lay a previously developed 1.5-acre parcel ready for renewal. Over time, the site had lost touch with its natural context, distancing people from the richness of their surroundings. Grounded in stewardship, the owners envisioned a family home that would unite a modernist ethos of simplicity and restraint with a layered ecological restoration.
In collaboration with Seattle-based Olson Kundig, Los Angeles-based interior designer Kerry Joyce, and numerous additional consultants, Design Workshop reimagined the property to restore ecological vitality and reconnect daily life to the land’s inherent rhythms. This shared vision shaped every design decision, from site restoration to the way daily life unfolds within the landscape.
Immersed in Nature
Thunder River Residence is defined by the harmony between architecture and landscape. The modern home, built of steel, concrete, and glass by Hansen Construction, is sited parallel to the river on a gently elevated terrace, creating an outdoor setting where life follows the rhythm of water and wildlife. Operable glass walls open the home to its surroundings, while terraces extend living spaces into the landscape. At the southern end, a lap pool in deep, reflective tones mirrors a geometric sculpture, creating a quiet dialogue between art, sky, and forest.
Benefits Beyond Boundaries
Recognizing the site as part of a larger ecological corridor, Design Workshop explored how landscape choices could strengthen the surrounding watershed. In collaboration with local ecologists, the team analyzed terrain, soils, and hydrology to understand the site’s natural variations.
These insights informed a restoration strategy that revitalized more than three-quarters of an acre across five interconnected habitat zones: willow riparian edges, emergent wetlands, wet meadows, dry meadows, and mixed forests. Together, these systems now support migratory waterfowl and native wildlife, while improved hydrology increases resilience against erosion and seasonal flooding.
Special Considerations
Although the architecture appears to sit gracefully within the landscape, the project required exceptional precision and environmental care. To preserve the site’s integrity, disturbance to sensitive wetlands and mature cottonwoods was carefully minimized. Innovative foundation assemblies allow terraces to hover lightly above the ground, protecting root zones and maintaining the health of trees close to the structure.
Along the southern edge, a degraded historic irrigation ditch was reconstructed as an active hydrological feature, improving water flow, reducing sedimentation, and restoring ecological diversity. Sustainable measures, including integrated solar panels, dark-sky-compliant lighting, and advanced water filtration systems, further enhance site performance and support both on-site ecology and downstream users.
