Thunder River Residence engages multiple senses to foster deep connection to the water and landscape. Its design is an exercise in precision and function, supporting the family’s desire to entertain and enjoy Aspen’s outdoor lifestyle in every season, but especially in the vibrant summer months.
Photo: Brandon Huttenlocher / Design Workshop, Inc.
Thunder River Residence
Aspen, Colorado
In Dialogue with Nature
Set along the banks of a river that moves through Aspen, the home is designed to scale into the natural environment with features that blur the line between inside and outside.
Crafted from dark steel and board-form concrete, the home is segmented into multiple wings to reduce its overall scale. The entry sequence commences at the spacious auto court, bordered by gardens and sculpture, and culminates under a thin steel canopy leading to the front door.
Inside, the foyer feels gallery-like with a sculptural light fixture suspended above the glass and steel stair.
The home’s central volume flows seamlessly between primary living areas. Expressed structural steel defines this open space, softened by plaster walls, wide plank oak floors, and fine art. The focal point is the glazed western wall, which frames panoramic views of the river and opens to provide direct access to the landscape. An exterior patio just outside, sheltered by the offset second level, uses discreet heaters to foster year-round use.
The primary suite occupies the northern end of the home, with river views from the bedroom and bathroom.
At the southern end, a partition delineates the kitchen from the other living areas. Blackened steel cabinetry and white marble countertops reflect the natural light harvested by a kinetic window looking onto the pool and a sculpture by Carmen Herrera; it audaciously opens the interior to the exterior during special moments of family and friends gathering.
An adjacent, minimally detailed glazed walkway links the main house to the guest wing, which contains two suites and a shared sitting room. Upstairs, a central playroom and office frame views of the surrounding forest and river. Three additional guest suites, each featuring its own private catwalk, and a bunkroom allow the home to expand to host extended family, grandchildren, and other visitors.
What excites me most about this house is how it scales and flows so effortlessly. It’s a good-sized home that can accommodate extended families and guests, yet it still works for just a couple. The way the public and private spaces are defined and the seamless connection to the environment is a testament to how well the design evolves with the needs of its inhabitants.Tom Kundig
FAIA, RIBA, Design Principal
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