As a child, Judy loved visiting Frank Lloyd Wright homes with her family. Her husband, Bob, recalls receiving a postcard of the designer’s legendary Fallingwater when he was 10. And when the couple decided to build their home overlooking Beaver Creek, near Vail, Colorado, they had their eye on the organic Prairie School aesthetic that made Wright a design icon.
The trick was finding an architect capable of not only designing a dwelling that didn’t overwhelm the scenic yet steep lot but who could also create spaces that would accommodate guests while remaining cozy for two people. “We didn’t want an architect who would simply copy Frank Lloyd Wright’s style,” says Bob. “We wanted to find someone who really gets how to use materials and designs that blend seamlessly into the environment in a way that is peaceful and calming.”
After poring over home books and magazines, they landed on Twin Cities–based Charles R. Stinson Architecture + Design. At first, the idea of hiring someone from out of state seemed ambitious. But Judy and Bob were eventually won over by Stinson’s passion for detail — and his enthusiasm for working with these two architecture aficionados.
Meticulously constructed by Mark Fox of Fox Hunt & Partners, the result is a stunning example of the power of collaboration. Situated on the edge of an aspen forest, the home is protected from the cold northern winds, yet it captures the sun’s warmth with large, southern-facing windows that offer jaw-dropping views of nearby ski areas. In winter, snow sitting atop the roof makes the home look as though it’s snuggled beneath a down comforter. Come summer, the beiges, browns and grays of the stone exterior feel like they’ve been plucked straight from the surrounding landscape.
Inside, a lower-level guest area feels like a five-star resort, complete with guest suites, a bunkroom, a movie theater, a massage room, a sauna, an exercise room, a wine cellar and an award-winning sound room just for music. “For years, all we did was work,” explains Judy. “We really wanted to spend time with our families and get to know our nieces and nephews better. It was critical to create a space where people felt comfortable and wanted to stay.”
Upstairs, a foyer reminiscent of a mountain peak welcomes the couple into a living space that makes the most of those incredible views while maintaining an intimate feel thanks to thoughtful nooks. “The house has a human scale, even when it’s just the two of us,” says Bob.
While extremely proud of the end result, Stinson credits the homeowners with much of the project’s success. “They loved both the big ideas and the little details,” the architect explains. “I felt like we were creating a work of art.”
