West Watch
stats:
Location:
Bailey, Colorado
Square Footage:
Conditioned Area: 2,530 S. F.
Construction Date:
2021
West Watch is a unique residential project situated approximately halfway up Mt. Bailey in Bailey, Colorado, at an elevation of over 8,000 feet. This stunning location offers grand views, which the design of West Watch fully embraces. The project focuses on integrating natural materials and providing seamless access to the outdoors, creating a comfortable and immersive living experience.
Client Drivers & Unique Features:
- Seamless Outdoor Access: The clients desired easy and direct access to the outdoors. This is achieved through a four-panel glass sliding door that empties onto a large deck, enhancing the mountain view experience.
- Recessed Hot Tub: Adding to the outdoor allure, a recessed hot tub provides an immersive experience regardless of the season.
- Natural Materials: The design emphasizes the use of natural materials, including exposed concrete, wood siding, and a metal roof, blending the structure with its natural surroundings.
Construction Type:
- Simple Construction Methods: Despite its unique form, the construction methods used are straightforward, resulting in a surprisingly budget-friendly project. The residential structure is framed entirely of wood, with wood siding and a metal roof to handle the heavy precipitation typical of the Rocky Mountain region.
Architectural Features:
- Disappearing Sliding Glass Door: The mountain-facing façade features a 15-foot wide sliding glass door that disappears into the wall as each panel nests over the previous one, compacting with every move.
- Large Overhangs: Shading is provided by large overhangs, creating a comfortable interior space with the large exterior windows.
- Carport Storage: Storage is incorporated on the east side of the carport, adding practical functionality to the design.
Floor Plan Notes:
Main Level:
- Collapsing Door: A notable feature is the door that collapses and disappears into a pocket in the wall, enhancing the open and seamless connection to the outdoors.
Loft:
- Ships Ladder: The loft area had to be under 200 SF to qualify for the use of a ships ladder, optimizing space and maintaining a compact design.
West Watch, designed by Colorado architects, F9 Productions is a testament to the harmonious blend of modern architecture with natural surroundings. The design not only maximizes the breathtaking views of the Colorado Rockies but also incorporates natural materials and practical features to create a comfortable, immersive, and sustainable living environment.
Our project incorporates a range of advanced sustainability measures, tailored specifically to its high-altitude location in the mountains of Colorado. These measures go beyond basic code requirements, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship and energy efficiency while creating a harmonious relationship with the natural surroundings.
Compact Form: The building’s compact form minimizes its overall surface area, reducing thermal losses during the cold mountain winters. This design strategy also optimizes material usage, limiting waste and the embodied carbon footprint of construction. The compact form is integral to achieving a balance between functionality, energy efficiency, and environmental impact.
Optimized Solar Orientation: The building’s orientation takes full advantage of the south and western sun, maximizing solar gain during the cooler months when sunlight is most valuable for passive heating. This orientation is particularly advantageous in the high mountains, where the solar angle is ideal for capturing sunlight during the winter.
Strategic Window Placement: Expansive south- and west-facing windows are designed to capture abundant natural light, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and capitalizing on passive solar heat. These windows are equipped with high-performance glazing that balances heat retention with protection against heat loss, ensuring energy efficiency without compromising comfort.
Large Overhangs for Seasonal Adaptability: To address the challenges of the intense summer sun, the building features carefully designed large overhangs. These overhangs are calibrated to block the high summer sun, preventing overheating and reducing cooling loads, while still allowing the lower winter sun to penetrate and warm the interior. This design element ensures year-round thermal comfort and minimizes energy use for climate control.
