Contemporary mountain homes combine the cleanlines of modern architecture with natural materials traditionally found inlodges and other more rustic residences.
That means oversizedwindows that frame views of the landscape, plus ample use of wood, stone, androck to give the home an intimate and warm feeling.
“We’re seeing thismountain-contemporary aesthetic,” says Julie Faupel, a Jackson, Wyoming–basedagent and the owner of Jackson Hole Real Estate & Associates. “Very clean,crisp lines, but usually with some more-rustic elements, whether it's barn woodor moss rock. They really do a nice job now of blending some of the naturalwith some of the more sophisticated architecture.”
At the same time, these projects are stacked with amenities and have an eye toward sustainability and technology. That includes resort-style wellness centers and air-filtration systems, extensive mudrooms to store sports equipment for every season, viewing towers, and sleek entertaining spaces both indoors and out.
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Location is also key,with buyers looking for the privacy of a larger lot while still being close tothe slopes, according to Paul Benson with Engel & Völkers Gestalt Group inPark City, Utah. Most recently, there’s been a trend toward voice-activated ortouchless controls.
“When you come to amountain town, you have clean air, more space, and you have hiking, biking, andoutdoor adventure skiing right outside your door,” he says. “And with lesspeople.”
TheHigh Life
Today’s mountain retreats offer all that, Mr.Benson notes.
Take Monitor’s Rest,an 18,500-square-foot residence in the gated community of the Colony at WhitePine Canyon in Park City, priced at $38 million. The mansion incorporatesfloor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors, as well as materials like Croatianlimestone, charred cypress from Japan, and a copper roof.
Sitting on fiveacres, the ski-in, ski-out residence also boasts an array of amenities,including a bowling alley, a golf simulator, an indoor sports court, indoor andoutdoor pools and hot tubs, and a viewing tower with a lounge and spa. There’salso Delos' Darwin Home Wellness Intelligence Network, an integrated and fullyautomated system that regulates lighting and air and water quality.
That kind of technology has become more important than ever, explains Mr. Benson, who has the listing. “Whether it’s turning on your music system by voice command, or walking in and having the home automatically identify you and adjust the climate accordingly, we’re seeing a push for that kind of technology,” Mr. Benson says. “And we’re definitely seeing a push for systems that purify the air.”
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Wellness centers andextensive entertainment amenities are also musts for luxury mountain homes, henotes.
At-home gyms nowresemble clubs, with multiple rooms for yoga or biking, as well as multiplepools, spas, and saunas. Amenities like bowling alleys and sport courts aremore common, and many homes also have viewing towers on the property from whichguests and residents can enjoy 360-degree views of the region.
No mountain homewould be complete without an extensive mudroom or ski shed where all theequipment is stored.
“It’s one of the most important rooms of the house because it's where your adventure begins,” Mr. Benson notes. “It becomes kind of like a gathering place for the family coming and going and putting their gear on together and sharing their war stories from the day.”
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ModernMountain Living
Most recently, buyers are looking for morespace, and not necessarily the open-floor plans that have been so popular forthe last few years.
“In the last sixmonths, a lot of households have multiple family members wanting to share asafer place to live,” Mr. Benson says. “People are taking a step away from thebig, giant great rooms that had the kitchen, dining, and living rooms all inone space, and looking for floor plans that separate those spaces.”
Indoor-outdoor livingis also key. “People want to be able to open up the entire expanse of theirliving room out to their deck areas and have the outdoor kitchen fireplace andalmost like an outdoor living room right outside,” Ms. Faupel explains.
That trend has become even more popular because of the pandemic.
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“As people relocatehere, they're thinking, ‘I just spent a really long time quarantined in myhome. I need to be able to feel like there's an element of nature around me atall times,’ ” she adds.
Inside, the design isplush and comfortable, according to Ms. Faupel, with an emphasis on quality,tactile fabrics, and finishes.
“People will alwayswant something that feels pretty cozy out here,” she explains. “So you've gotsofas that are wool or cashmere and big overstuffed leather chairs and beautifulrugs…It’s kind of like the environment is giving you a little bit of a hug.”
Interiors also bringnatural elements inside, using warm woods and stones to offset the great glasswindows. Sustainability is also a big component of many mountain homes, and thesereclaimed materials are part of that.
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“Repurposing certain elements—it can be everything from reclaimed barn wood to river rock and moss rock—is a part of the sustainability movement,” Ms. Faupel says.
Many homes have othersustainable features built in as well. It’s common for builds to incorporate solar power, geothermal heating,rainwater capture, and other green technologies.
“When you live in a place of such incredible natural beauty, you feel immediately like a steward of that environment and a sustainer of the things that make it so special,” Ms. Faupel explains.
This article first appeared in the Winter 2020 issue of Mansion Global Experience Luxury.
