Sitting on 20 acres of pristine Colorado forest is the Echo Mountain Retreat, conceived by Tomacek Studio Architecture for a family of four seeking refuge from digital overwhelm and focused on communing with nature. Located 45 minutes from Denver near Echo Mountain’s peak, the 2,800 square foot residence embraces the Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing — the simple, therapeutic act of spending time in the forest.

Focusing on solids and voids, the house is composed of a series of scattered pavilions that offer residents spaces catered to rest and relaxation, including a tea house, a soaking room with a hot tub and sauna, a climbing wall, and a meditation platform. “These moments become destination nodes that encourage movement across the site to experience Shinrin-yoku,” says Tomacek Studio Architecture. 

The landscape seamlessly integrates with the architecture, with a dramatic rock formation with a 150-foot sheer face elevation being the site’s main feature, a powerful backdrop for the therapeutic forest experience. The weathered patina of the exterior strikes a sharp contrast with the on-site split rock and light-toned plaster that grace the interiors.

Every detail about the residence echoes the concept of shinrin-yoku. By encouraging meaningful connections between architecture and nature, the home’s subtle design interventions help shift residents’ mindsets away from the stresses and pressures of urban life. 

Photography © Parrish Ruiz de Velasco