Plinth, Repeat
Location: Boulder, CO
Status: Under Construction
Size: 1,790 SF
Nestled within Sunshine Canyon at the base of the Rocky Mountains, just west of Boulder, this standalone addition integrates into the landscape while respecting the architecture of the original home. Embedded into the mountainside, the design embraces the natural topography, ensuring minimal disruption to the surrounding environment.
Given the steep and uneven terrain, establishing a level foundation necessitated strategic earth retention. Rather than treating this as a challenge alone, the project transformed it into an opportunity—creating a dynamic interplay between structure and landscape. The resulting design not only provides functional space beneath the garage but also establishes a sculptural retaining system that visually and physically connects the existing mid-century modern home to the new addition.
This system of terraced stone walls forms a plinth upon which the garage appears to rest, grounding the structure within the site while enhancing its architectural presence. The garage itself draws inspiration from the materiality, form, and detailing of the original 1960s residence, ensuring a cohesive and unified composition.
The Plinth
The stone plinth serves as a unifying architectural element, seamlessly bridging the varying elevations between the existing residence and the addition. Functioning as both a structural and aesthetic feature, it provides a stable transition between these distinct levels while enhancing the overall cohesion of the design. The selected stonework integrates with the existing landscape, reinforcing a balanced and intentional connection between the built environment and its topography.
