Set against a backdrop of sweeping meadows and Douglas Fir forests, this modern Montana retreat captures the contemplative spirit of its natural surroundings. Envisioned by Chief Designer, Lori Ryker, of studioryker and Project Manager, Tim Sanford, the home seamlessly integrates into the landscape with a minimalist footprint and a design rooted in a deep understanding of the local environment. For the homeowner, the retreat serves as an escape from urban life, offering an immersive connection with nature and a quiet vantage point to observe local wildlife with minimal disruption to the surrounding ecosystem. Central to this connection are minimal folding glass walls, which open the compact dwelling into the vast outdoors while supporting its sustainability goals.
A Peaceful Retreat in the Wilderness with Folding Glass Walls
Site-Conscious Architecture Drives Contemporary Home Design
Drawn to the site’s serene location and the prospect of a quiet life after retirement, the homeowners purchased a parcel of land at the northern end of the Gallatin Range in Bozeman, Montana. After five years of engaging with the terrain and observing the local wildlife, they purchased the two adjacent parcels to preserve the optimal views of Paradise Valley and the Bridger Mountains. There, the homeowners envisioned a compact yet modern retreat with a fire-retardant building envelope and minimal disruption to the landscape and wildlife. Known for their sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, the homeowner entrusted Lori Ryker of studioryker and Riverbend Builders to bring his vision to life and construct a home with modern comforts and natural materials harmonizing with the land. “The owner was acutely in-tune with the landscape of the property, loving to watch wildlife, and interested in a house that sat down in the land instead of having a prominent profile in the landscape as so many “trophy” homes do,” shares Ryker.
Connecting Architecture to the Natural Landscape
For studioryker, the process begins with an observational survey, long periods of experiencing the landscape, sketching, noting flora and fauna, and understanding the unique terrain and climate conditions. At times, the design team would stand on ladders and lie down on the ground to understand the results of different ground heights and whether to cut into or build up from the land. One of the biggest challenges with contemporary home design in remote locations like Bozeman is minimizing the impact of development on previously untouched terrain. This particular site offered an ideal location for observation without interrupting natural wildlife patterns and migration routes, allowing for a modest 2,260-square-foot property with an attached 638-square-foot garage and a 290-square-foot covered patio and outdoor kitchen. The home features a 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom single-level composition set against a shallow cut along the hill.
Maximizing Spatial Orientation and Dramatic Views
The site’s sweeping exposure to the mountain range presented a unique design opportunity. The thoughtful architectural approach is a sectional design, with the structure being low to the south and higher to the north to incorporate the mountainscape and to strategically position fenestration for passive air circulation to flush the interiors. Ryker intentionally minimized the views upon arrival, ensuring they would become the grand reveal and main focal experience upon entering the home’s main living spaces. This strategically positioned the garage near the front, paired with an understated entry, while orienting the main living areas toward the valley. Here, dynamic folding glass walls seamlessly connect to the dramatic landscape. From the beginning, the clients requested to use NanaWall folding door systems. “They knew they wanted to be able to live and experience the natural world around them with a sense of intimacy. The NanaWall system provides that, and they knew it could stand up to the region's harsh conditions and specific location,” says the architect.
Sustainability and Natural Materials
The proximity to the forest and concern for fire led the home to be clad almost fully in steel with an apron of crushed rock on the ground surrounding the dwelling. Corten steel was selected for the building envelope for its low maintenance and ability to rust into a natural hue that blends with the surrounding landscape. Sustainability was a core principle throughout the design process. Inside, the home’s radiant-heated, polished concrete floors contribute to passive heating and cooling by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night. Folding glass walls enhance the home’s energy efficiency by allowing natural light and ventilation to flow freely through the interior spaces. For a cohesive appearance, all fenestration was specified in the color iron ore with triple glazing to ensure excellent thermal insulation, reducing energy consumption year-round.
Industrial Material Palette Elevates Design and Function
The retreat embodies a utilitarian expression in material use, blending industrial-inspired elements with minimalist detailing. Waxed plate steel, ground concrete floors with exposed aggregate, and trimless window and door openings achieve a sleek, refined look throughout the home. “Details of custom-formed concrete are used as benches and counters to express the utilitarian nature of the home design,” says Ryker. Upon entry, a large clad volume appears like a modern sculptural insertion which hides the mudroom closet and the laundry room. In the kitchen, glass tiles are used to create a tonal background, reflecting the sky, with a steel shelf system fabricated and custom painted to match the neutral gray color palette—a detail and finish program used throughout the house to provide a coherent design expression.
Modern Comforts for Relaxation and Entertaining
The home embraces modern comforts like a coffee station, built-in refrigeration, and a double-sided fireplace in the primary bedroom for a truly luxurious experience. The en-suite comprises a walk-in shower “wet space” with 12-foot ceilings, an eastern-facing window, and a built-in teak bench. A freestanding tub rests below a picture window highlighting the panoramic view of nature. Meanwhile, the powder bath incorporates a unique vessel sink atop a concrete counter with a custom steel base. Guests enjoy a custom bunk room that includes the white oak used throughout the interior design program and a steel ladder. Outside, the western-facing covered patio is outfitted with a custom grilling and smoker kitchen forming an ideal place for entertaining, hosting dinner parties, or enjoying a cup of coffee with the vast landscape backdrop.
Optimal Transparency for Groundbreaking Mountain Views
The furnishing selections are intentionally simple and neutral in tone to create a serene atmosphere that complements the natural environment and minimalist home design. The primary living areas feature an inviting open-concept floorplan with a double-sided steel fireplace to section the dining and living areas while camouflaging the family’s audio-visual setup. Two 10-foot-tall Generation 4 folding glass walls connect the interior to the outdoors. “Daylight is a “material” heavily employed when I design, which relies on the type, size, and location of windows and how they are used to provide specific experiences and feelings in home,” says Ryker. To manage southern solar exposure, window placement was minimized, and an overhang was incorporated to reduce harsh sunlight. Operable windows, work in tandem with the NanaWall systems to promote cross-ventilation and abundant natural light, minimizing the dependence on mechanical systems.
Minimal Folding Glass Walls Promote Flexibility and Function
Together, the two folding glass walls create an expansive 32-foot-wide opening, welcoming an uninterrupted flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. When closed, their slim profiles offer minimal sightlines that maximize the view of the mountains. For optimal flexibility, the systems were specified with SixFold panel sets, unique to Generation 4 systems, that allow the panels to stack to the left, right, or center of the opening. “There is an important feature used in these systems, which is the single operable door,” says Ryker. “In the mountain environment, which is not mild, if the panels need to be closed, it is still an option for people to move out into the veranda for a cocktail or to watch the sunset of wildlife without losing all the heat to the house.”
Weather Performance for Year-Round Living
Energy-efficient windows support the home’s sustainability goals while providing tranquil living spaces protected from the elements. The NanaWall folding glass walls were specified with energy-efficient glazing to ensure optimal weather performance and minimal heat loss during winter. Specialized weather seals further keep the elements out and enhance insulation. The specified low profile saddle sill delivers an unobstructed threshold, successfully merging interiors with the outdoors without sacrificing weather performance, especially during heavy snowfall. “The NanaWall system is properly engineered for wind loads, designed not to leak, and has great R/U value,” says Ryker. “The folding doors combined with the core-ten steel exterior hold up to snow piled against the façade with no damage or leaks.”
A Retreat for Quiet Contemplation and Natural Connections
Blending environment-conscious, contemporary residential design with the vast beauty of the Montana surround, the Timberline Residence, as coined by Chief Designer, Lori Ryker, delivers the ideal retreat for connecting with nature. “The home was designed with restraint in form and materials to provide a place for recharging, contemplation, and observation. The series of NanaWall panels open up the living area, feeling like a pavilion in the wild landscape.” The home’s prime location overlooking the vast mountain range offers the homeowners the ideal spot for quiet without disrupting the natural ecosystem they have long sought to preserve—from the expansive Douglas Fir and Spruce forests with the astonishing sunsets to the wandering elk, wolves, and grizzly bears.
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photos: NanaWall and studioryker
photographer: David Agnello Photography