Sponsored: Montana Mountain Retreat Allows Couple to Live in the View

Outdoor enthusiasts Bob and Pam Norton purchased a remote lot with panoramic views in Big Sky, envisioning a private, year-round retreat that integrated with the terrain. The site was cleverly named ‘Mountain Peek’ because of the natural landscape and views of Lone Peak, Pioneer Mountain and Cedar Mountain. “We wanted to live in the view,” says Pam. “We wanted the outdoors to come in.” 

Kolbe's Expansive VistaLuxe® Collection windows provide an unobstructed view of the outdoors. | Photo © Karl Neumann Photography

To help carry out their vision, the Nortons assembled a talented team: builder John Seelye of Big Sky Build, architect Jamie Daugaard of Centre Sky Architecture, and interior designers Kelly Lovell and Ashley Sanford of Clean Line Consulting. John thought, “We all have to collaborate and help give ideas and help direct, and ultimately if we’re all there starting in the beginning, we’re going to have a much better flow throughout the whole project.” 

Challenged by the topography of the site, the plan was to align the slope of the roof and ceiling with the natural slope of the lot. “Logistically, these are difficult places to build,” says John. “It’s a hard place to get to. The weather is demanding, and often puts a halt on construction.” 

The residence elegantly represents the emerging mountain modern architectural style which has evolved in the region. | Photo © Whitney Kamman Photography

Semis transporting heavy equipment and materials up steep, winding roads, as well as equipment used to place the windows into the home’s frame, performed difficult maneuvers around the building site. John notes, “No joke, until the house was completely enclosed, my foreman would have to survey the jobsite for wild animals each morning before the crew would arrive to make sure it was safe.” Building on the side of a mountain presented many challenges and required a great deal of time and coordination. 

Once the steel infrastructure started to take shape, it truly harmonized with the topography of the land and promoted the opportunity for unique views that only a mountain modern home could.  Custom shaped VistaLuxe® Collection direct sets from Kolbe Windows & Doors were designed to match the varied elevations and roof heights of the house.  Further consideration was given to year-round, outdoor access and an Ultra Series TerraSpan® lift & slide inverted corner unit opens up two walls to expand the home to an outside deck. “We can just open up the doors, and it’s another room,” says Bob. “I love the fact that we have doors that fold up and bring the entire outside space in.” 

Convenient ski-in, ski-out access further establishes the true connection of the house to the landscape. The residence blends stone, steel, wood and glass both inside and out, with a non-reflective natural material palette to soften the interior. To connect the home to the land and its history, a stone in the shape of Montana adorns the entrance, and embedded fossils appear in the adjacent stonework. Rustic, modern, and wild at its core, the home is truly an homage to Big Sky country. 

“We pulled away from some of the dark, heavy elements that you see in Southwest Montana and brought in refreshing architecture and interior design,” says John. “The house complements the surroundings. The surroundings complement the house.”