The Edge House, Aspen, CO

Architect: Studio B Architects, Aspen, CO, 970-920-9428, www.studiobarchitects.net

This 10,000-square-foot Aspen residence, completed in the summer of 2008, is perched on a craggy rock outcropping overlooking the Castle Creek River and Maroon Bells Mountain. Previously, the 1.75-acre site contained two structures that were demolished and replaced with this house and its terraces, courts and gardens.

Several site conditions posed challenges to the project’s design process and construction. A natural rockslide path required mitigation in the form of a rear avalanche fence, and bedrock had to be blasted in order to install the foundations. Three different mechanical systems were required to account for the division of programs, as well as the intense climatic swings that occur from winter to summer in the high country. The building site drops 24 feet across the home’s footprint, requiring the structure itself to step down accordingly.

The Edge House’s architecture is rooted in the angularity of the site and is oriented to immediate and distant views. A bridge-like stairway links the home’s public and private wings; a caretaker’s unit is situated beneath the garage/workshop area. The home’s entry opens to a sculpture garden, reflecting pool and morning sunlight, while the west elevation takes full advantage of mountain views, sunlight and the sound of Castle Creek.

Castle Creek’s ambient sound and cooling effect during the summer months played an integral role in the home’s overall space plan. The master wing, which includes a private terrace with spa, enjoys an up-close view of the water. Levels below the master wing and public spaces offer several bedrooms and gathering spaces that open to the creek as well.

The Edge House’s striking exterior materials palette consists of Prodema siding, porcelain panels, metal roofing, board-formed concrete and aluminum doors and windows. Solar-collecting panels heat the indoor pool and supplement the heating of the house.

The judging panel was impressed by this home’s aesthetic appeal, craftsmanship, sensitivity to its site and high-country surroundings, and its unique palette of building materials.