Proving contemporary architecture can in fact fit in with the wild landscape of even the most rugged regions, Southern Alberta’s aptly named Rock House sits nestled between two lichen-covered rocks in the foothills of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Designed by Seattle-based Cutler Anderson Architects, a firm renowned for it’s forward thinking design and ability to seamless integrate powerful forms and complex textures into natural environments, the 800-square-foot “cabin” is the first completed structure in a new TK plot community of contemporary architecture called Carriage Ridge.
Board-formed concrete, Douglas Fir wood, and insulated glass establish the angular home’s visual language, while a dramatic, sweeping prairie view dominates the overall conversation. To minimize the structure’s impact on the view, a single central steel I-beam spans the interior, supporting the roof on a series of slender steel columns. The result is a stunning example of striking design that doesn’t steal the show.
