The Hillside

The Hillside sits at 9,200 feet elevation on a private ridge above Aspen, commanding 270-degree views of the Elk Mountains. The structural challenge was considerable: deep snow loads, seismic zone requirements, and a site accessible only by a single-lane road informed every design decision.

The solution is a heavy timber frame — Douglas fir beams 24 inches deep — that expresses its structural logic honestly throughout the interior. The east and west gable ends are fully glazed, framing the mountains like paintings. The north and south walls are insulated mass — rammed earth and stone — providing thermal stability and protection from prevailing weather.

Inside, generous ceiling heights and a single great room create a sense of arrival proportional to the drama of the site. The home is entirely off-grid — solar, battery storage, and a wood gasification system provide all energy needs through the Aspen winter.