Set against the outstanding natural beauty of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest in rural Wyoming, the Alta North Residence offers a contemporary take on the traditional mountain home for a family. The project, by Prospect Studio, a Jackson Hole-based architecture firm, prioritizes a relatively modest footprint (in an area where square footage can often soar) and a strong relationship with the surrounding wetlands and alpine landscape with its rustic timber and steel wrapped facade. 

Residents are welcomed into the home via a recessed, snow-sheltered entry, which leads into the central living area, where opposing curtain walls frame long views through the site. The floor to ceiling glazing that runs either side of this space turns the center of the home into a transparent volume, easing the visual burden on the site. The home is anchored by the solidity of concrete elements located along the perimeter, forming spaces for secondary rooms, including a gallery, pantry, and a skylit primary bath. The main bedroom suite is located on the western side of the house, oriented toward the wetlands for magical views from its own private lounge space. A compact guest wing accommodates visiting friends and family with three suites, a den, and a four-bed bunk room – playfully designed to resemble a train car. With primary bedrooms and guest rooms arranged along the wings, the heart of the home remains the primary space for family and visitors, encouraging the communal gatherings without expanding the home’s scale. 

In an area known for oversized vacation houses, the Alta North Residence is striking in its deliberate sense of restraint, presenting a version of contemporary mountain architecture that feels luxurious and refined yet grounded in its setting.

Photography © Tom Harris