Discover the Ultimate Montana Retreat: Embrace Nature with Stunning Folding Glass Walls
2025-04-13
This modern Montana retreat, set against a backdrop of rolling meadows and Douglas fir forests, captures the meditative mood of a natural setting. Conceived by Eloyd’s lead designer and project manager, Melisa, the residence blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape with a minimalist layout and a design rooted in a deep understanding of the local context. For the homeowners, the retreat is a haven from urban life, offering an immersive connection to nature and a quiet vantage point from which to observe local wildlife while minimizing disturbance to the surrounding ecosystem. Central to this connection is a minimalist folding glass wall that integrates the compact residence with the expansive outdoor space while supporting its sustainable goals.
A Peaceful Retreat in the Wilderness with Folding Glass Walls
Site-Conscious Architecture Drives Contemporary Home Design
Attracted by the serene location and the prospect of a quiet retirement, the homeowner purchased a parcel of land at the northern end of the Gallatin Mountains in Bozeman, Montana. After five years of studying the terrain and observing local wildlife, they ultimately purchased two adjacent parcels to preserve the best views of Paradise Valley and the Bridger Mountains. There, the homeowner envisioned a compact and modern retreat with a flame-retardant building envelope that would minimize disturbance to the landscape and wildlife. Known for sustainable architecture and environmentally friendly design, the homeowner tasked Eloyd and Melisa to realize his vision and build a home that would blend with modern comforts and natural materials in harmony with the land. "The homeowner is very in tune with the land's landscape, loves to watch wildlife, and wanted the home to blend into the land rather than take a prominent position in the landscape like many 'showy' homes do," says Melisa.
Connecting Architecture to the Natural Landscape
For Eloyd windows and doors , 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. Melisa 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 Eloyd 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 Eloyd 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 Melisa. 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.
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 Melisa. 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 Eloyd 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 Melisa. “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 Eloyd 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 Eloyd system is properly engineered for wind loads, designed not to leak, and has great R/U value,” says Melisa. “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 Melisa, 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 Eloyd 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.
Discover how Eloyd folding glass walls elevate contemporary home design in our extensive project inspiration gallery!
Discover the Ultimate Montana Retreat: Embrace Nature with Stunning Folding Glass Walls
2025-04-13
This modern Montana retreat, set against a backdrop of rolling meadows and Douglas fir forests, captures the meditative mood of a natural setting. Conceived by Eloyd’s lead designer and project manager, Melisa, the residence blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape with a minimalist layout and a design rooted in a deep understanding of the local context. For the homeowners, the retreat is a haven from urban life, offering an immersive connection to nature and a quiet vantage point from which to observe local wildlife while minimizing disturbance to the surrounding ecosystem. Central to this connection is a minimalist folding glass wall that integrates the compact residence with the expansive outdoor space while supporting its sustainable goals.
A Peaceful Retreat in the Wilderness with Folding Glass Walls
Site-Conscious Architecture Drives Contemporary Home Design
Attracted by the serene location and the prospect of a quiet retirement, the homeowner purchased a parcel of land at the northern end of the Gallatin Mountains in Bozeman, Montana. After five years of studying the terrain and observing local wildlife, they ultimately purchased two adjacent parcels to preserve the best views of Paradise Valley and the Bridger Mountains. There, the homeowner envisioned a compact and modern retreat with a flame-retardant building envelope that would minimize disturbance to the landscape and wildlife. Known for sustainable architecture and environmentally friendly design, the homeowner tasked Eloyd and Melisa to realize his vision and build a home that would blend with modern comforts and natural materials in harmony with the land. "The homeowner is very in tune with the land's landscape, loves to watch wildlife, and wanted the home to blend into the land rather than take a prominent position in the landscape like many 'showy' homes do," says Melisa.
Connecting Architecture to the Natural Landscape
For Eloyd windows and doors , 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. Melisa 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 Eloyd 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 Eloyd 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 Melisa. 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.
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 Melisa. 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 Eloyd 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 Melisa. “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 Eloyd 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 Eloyd system is properly engineered for wind loads, designed not to leak, and has great R/U value,” says Melisa. “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 Melisa, 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 Eloyd 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.
Discover how Eloyd folding glass walls elevate contemporary home design in our extensive project inspiration gallery!
Your message must be between 20-3,000 characters!
