Tucked onto a tight lot just outside Steamboat Springs, this super-insulated, prefabricated home rises with purpose. From the start, it was shaped as a lookout tower to capture natural light, views, and cross breezes. The house stretches upward through three levels, each one tuned to the rhythm of the site. The lowest floor holds the accessory dwelling unit (ADU), creating flexibility for the future. With its own bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette, it functions independently while sharing the level with the garage.
Steve Scribner
Morgan Law
Maggie Wohltjen
HLCC Construction Company
Eclipse Engineering
Bright Sense
Phoenix Haus
Vibe Design Collective
Four Points Surveying and Engineering
NorthWest Colorado Consultants, Inc.
Sarah Vanderpool: Shape Architecture Studio
3,248 sf
Steamboat Springs, CO
“Shape was fun and exciting to work with in designing my new home. They were creative and pragmatic, listening to what I wanted and translating that functionality into an interesting and comfortable space!”
Homeowner
The main level opens into a warm living space and a secluded bedroom. Lift-and-slide doors frame mountain views and guide occupants onto a spacious south-facing deck that extends daily living into the landscape. A woodburning fireplace and custom hearth/entertainment center anchor the living room, bringing both comfort and ambiance.
Our approach weaves together our core values, the unique context of each site, and our clients’ needs to create buildings that look and feel as good as they perform. Our deep knowledge and expertise in building science and Passive House design make it possible. Not only is the Passive House Standard the most rigorous and proven energy-efficiency standard in the world for all building types, but more importantly, it’s a framework for creating spaces that foster health, comfort, and durability, with minimal energy use.
Above, the partial third floor forms the upper lantern of the lookout tower. The primary suite sits here with a sense of privacy while maintaining connection to the surrounding scenery. The bedroom looks directly toward Steamboat Ski Resort, a constant reminder of the setting. This level peers down into the main space below, allowing the heart of the home to be vaulted and filled with soft natural light. This upper level becomes an ideal retreat for a quiet home office, lifted away from the movement of everyday life.
A hemlock ceiling stretches from inside to out, strengthening the bond between interior and exterior. Open-tread stairs filter daylight through the center of the home, while tall windows, protected by deep overhangs, invite diffused light that softens every room. This is a perfect home base to explore, relax, and live mountain life to the fullest.
