Yellow Jacket - Lake Tahoe, Nevada
The clients for this family mountain retreat desired a contemporary design that would be in harmony with the predominantly traditional styles in the neighboring resort community on Lake Tahoe’s east shoreline. The design intent for the home was to defer to nature and recede into the hillside among the ponderosa pines and cedar trees.
The 4,264-square-foot home is split between two stories to minimize its footprint and site disturbance. The residence’s main gathering areas are placed on its upper level so as to capture filtered views of the lake. Two large split-granite boulders define the entry from the auto court. They lead to an elevated walkway that enables easy arrival from the garage to the front door and the upper living areas. The charcoal gray and black hues of the exterior allow the home to recede within the natural setting of the hillside and forest.
A gable roof supported by paired wood rafters on steel trusses with large overhangs protects living spaces from sun and snow. Selected for their contribution to the architectural concept, durable exterior finish materials include natural patina zinc standing-seam metal roof, cedar wood siding stained black, clefted limestone-faced retaining walls, natural tree trunk columns, and ironwood decks with black steel railings.
The interior finishes and atmosphere complement the exterior palette of finishes with stained white oak wide plank floors, cabinetry, and wood trim. Blackened steel is used in conjunction with clefted gray limestone for feature walls. Interior lighting grazes these walls and illuminates the artwork. Alison Berger glass dining pendants add artistic elegance and softly illuminate the circular Eucalyptus wood table. Cast bronze hardware designed by Mark de Reus and produced by Sun Valley Bronze is used throughout the home. St. Dizier Design created an interior atmosphere of elegant craftsmanship and restraint in collaboration with the architecture. This was done with the use of select rustic wood walls, artisan furnishings and appointments, a combination of coloration and textures with fabrics and detailing, and incorporation of the client’s artwork.
Thank Project team
Design Architect: de Reus Architects
Architect of Record: Dennis A. Zirbel
Interior Designer: Saint Dizier Design
Landscape Architect: Ed Haag
Structural Engineer: Gabbart and Woods
Civil Engineer: Ferrell Civil Engineering
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: MSA Engineering Consultants
Builder: Greenwood Homes
Photography: Gabe Border