Peak 1 Passive House

This home, the first Passive House in Summit County, pairs high performance with a strong connection to its mountain setting. The design centers on sweeping views of the Gore Range, Peak 1 in the Tenmile Range, and an open meadow to the north. Strong southern solar exposure informed the siting strategy: the building is centered on the primary view corridor and optimized for passive solar gain, while the garage entrance is discreetly oriented to the east. A steep roof pitch supports efficient snow-shedding and fits the home naturally into its alpine context.

TEAM

Steve Scribner
Bunny Tucker
Morgan Law

COLLABORATORS

BUILDER

Spirit Builders

STRUCTURAL

Ian Smith - (Formally with) Lopez Smolens Smith Engineers

SUSTAINABILITY/PASSIVE HOUSE CONSULTANT

NE Projects

MEP

Bright Sense

SQUARE FOOTAGE

3,285 sf + 815 sf garage

LOCATION

Silverthorne, CO

AWARDS/RECOGNITION

- First Passive House in Summit County - CBS Colorado News: Summit County's first certified Passive House aims to withstand Colorado wildfire smoke, extreme weather

The compact, straightforward form includes three stories plus a single-story entry wing for the mudroom, laundry, and powder room. Inside, the main level brings together the kitchen, dining, and living areas with simple dropped beams that help define each space. A lift-and-slide door opens to a generous outdoor patio for dining and gathering, strengthening the indoor–outdoor connection. An open stair rises beside a tall window wall, framing daily views of the Gore Range. A wood-burning pellet stove adds both ambiance and extra heat, contributing to a warm mountain-cabin feel.

Upstairs, the primary suite faces south to capture light and views and includes a spacious five-piece bath with a separated water closet. A north-facing office/art room offers built-in shelving, ample desk space, and comfortable seating. The basement provides a guest room, bunk room, and a flexible area for music and movies, and is acoustically separated from the main floor.

Upstairs, the primary suite faces south to capture light and views and includes a spacious five-piece bath with a separated water closet. A north-facing office/art room offers built-in shelving, ample desk space, and comfortable seating. The basement provides a guest room, bunk room, and a flexible area for music and movies, and is acoustically separated from the main floor.

 

High-performance features include 4-inch exterior insulation, a scissor-truss roof with dense-pack insulation, and triple-pane aluminum-clad wood windows. Systems include an air-to-water heat pump with radiant floors, supplemental fan-coil cooling, a Zehnder ERV, and a heat-pump water heater. Fire-resistant construction and a south-facing garage roof ready for solar round out the home’s blend of durability, comfort, and efficiency.

Sustainability Features

Energy & Efficiency

Site Context

Healthy Living

Sustainability Features

Energy & Efficiency

Site Context

Healthy Living

Certified Passive