Nestled in a ponderosa grove with rocky outcrops, Wildewood embraces its mountain setting with calm confidence. Designed at over eight thousand feet in Climate Zone 7, the home captures southern sun and frames expansive views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness and Eldora Ski Resort. Its PHIUS Core 2021 Certification reflects a commitment to performance, comfort, and environmental responsibility, earning recognition through a 2023 PHIUS Passive Projects Design Competition Honorable Mention and the Colorado Green Building Guild’s Green Building of the Year award.
Steve Scribner
Morgan Law
Maggie Wohltjen
Owner
Morgan Law and Ryan Abendroth
Dante Structural Engineering, PLLC + Lopez Smolens Associates Consulting Structural Engineers
Bright Sense
Scott, Cox & Associates, Inc
Energy Logic
Drew Tooley, Trendem Media
2,894 SF
Nederland, CO
2023 PHIUS Passive Projects Design Competition Single Family Honorable Mention
and
2023 Colorado Green Building Guild’s Green Building of the Year award.
Half of the residence is oriented due south to maximize solar gain, while the remaining volume angles gently to the southwest to nestle into the steep topography. Triple-glazed Alpen windows, deep overhangs, and a simplified rectangular envelope work together to minimize energy demand. Nearly half of the required heat is generated through solar energy alone, supported by a super-efficient electric Arctic air source heat pump radiant floor system.
A concrete slab on the lower level acts as thermal mass, storing warmth and releasing it through the cold mountain nights. Fresh, filtered air flows continuously through a state-of-the-art Zehnder ComfoAir Q600 St Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV), enhancing indoor air quality and safeguarding against wildfire smoke, other pollutants and allergens.
Dark metal siding and warm cedar accents mirror the surrounding forest. The approach to the house reveals a low, grounded form woven into boulders and the hillside to peek out behind the landscape in which it sits. Inside, natural light, large view windows, and french oak floors and cabinetry creates a quiet refuge. Thoughtful planning supports long-term well-being, future adaptability, and durability in the face of an intense, ever-changing climate. This allows the home to stand as a model for resilience, sustainability, and adaptive mountain living.
