A bald eagle flew overhead as we walked the site for the first time - a stretch of land bordered by the Big Wood River in a quiet corner of Blaine County, Idaho, not far from the ski slopes of Sun Valley.

The site is surrounded by wilderness and is densely covered in cottonwoods and junipers - it’s also shaped by the river’s floodplain, with the water on one side and a residential neighborhood on the other.

From the beginning, we collaborated with the owners to imagine a sustainable, energy efficient, net-zero retreat at the edge of town. The vision was grounded in passive design, on-site energy production, low-carbon materials, and construction techniques like timber framing that could be learned by an owner-builder. A home that would take only what it needed, and preserve the rest.

The home is organized as three distinct but connected volumes - referencing traditional forms and materials, while leaning toward simplicity and clarity rather than the expected alpine aesthetic. Massing and placement were shaped by context: glimpses of the mountains to the north, soft ambient light, dense trees for summer shade, and open yard space to the south for solar gain.

Each structure holds a purpose. One volume for bedrooms, laundry, and a home office. Another for kitchen, living, and dining - open, communal, connected to patios and gardens. A separate garage with a lofted studio above offers space to create, store, or step away from the rhythm of the main house.

Designed in 2022, the project is currently on hold. It may never be built. But the design lives on as a concept we’re proud of - one that’s deeply rooted in site and season, and ready to come to life if and when the time is right.

For now, it exists on paper - an intentional, low-impact home designed to sit lightly on the land.

[ Fun side note - the bald eagle flying over head on our first visit wasn’t the first time we’ve had that experience. The same thing happened on our first visit to Maple Grove Hot Springs for our Stone Shelters project! ]