A ski-in, ski-out family lodge in Big Sky, Montana, has been named a finalist in the 8th annual GRAY Awards. The project, called Vista, competes in the “On the Boards” category for buildings still under construction. CLB Architects designed the 11,000-square-foot residence to combine modern mountain living with sustainable features and a quiet, intentional style.
The home stands on a rocky scree field, secured by micro-piles to stabilize its position. From there, it offers views of nearby ski runs and the distant Lone Peak. Geothermal wells handle heating and cooling, while a rainwater catchment system collects runoff for irrigation, cutting the home’s environmental impact.
Privacy and light shape the design
Vista’s layout focuses on seclusion and sunlight despite its location near a busy ski lift. The structure wraps around a central courtyard, shielding indoor spaces from the slopes while capturing daylight. The east wing looks partly buried, with layers of Hermosa Limestone that match the site’s natural rock formations. Above, Japanese shou sugi ban cedar cladding—charred for durability—transitions into slatted screens, all protected by a large, folded mass timber roof.
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Inside, ceiling heights vary sharply. The primary wing measures 10 feet, while the great room reaches 18 feet. The roof’s slope, visible as a simple shed from outside, creates an interior where rooms feel either cozy or open. The entry path is carefully planned: guests climb through a limestone courtyard before entering the main living area, where Lone Peak comes into view.
The lower level contains practical areas—a family room, bunk room, wine cellar, bedroom, laundry, garage, and a ski room with an attached spa and entry plaza for those approaching from the slopes. Upstairs, the floor plan loops around the courtyard. Three suites, a great room, and a deck occupy the east wing, while a generous living and dining room, kitchen, deck, and primary bedroom suite are oriented toward views of Lone Peak to the northwest.
Materials and craftsmanship reflect a slower pace
The design borrows from Japanese and Scandinavian traditions, emphasizing simplicity and natural elements. A neutral palette of woods, blackened steel, and linear stone cultivates a sense of comfort and serenity, invoking the Japanese concept of omotenashi, or the spirit of hospitality. Custom furnishings and millwork tie the home together. The kitchen table, for instance, includes an inset bench inspired by Japanese joinery, and a gently curving Pierre Yovanovitch sofa allows conversation to stretch between the kitchen and living areas.
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Sensitivity to material connections filters across every scale, drawing from architectonic decisions into individual furnishings, designed in collaboration with independent artisans.
Vista should finish in 2025. The GRAY Awards, which celebrate design excellence in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, will reveal winners later this year.
