Houzz Tours
Modern Architecture
Houzz Tour: Unexpected and Ecofriendly in Montana
Unabashedly striking against its wilderness backdrop, this home stands out for its abundant earth-friendly features too
A bold splash of white against the dark Montana forest — this home isn't afraid to stand out. But there's much more to this house than its unique exterior. Geothermal heating, a passive solar design, a rain-catching water system and rooftop solar panels are just a few of the ecofriendly considerations that lessen this home's carbon footprint. Marty Beale and his team at Mindful Designs carefully integrated innovative and environmentally friendly techniques, in a stunning home that reflects the client's contemporary and slightly whimsical style.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of 4
Location: Whitefish, Montana
Size: 3,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of 4
Location: Whitefish, Montana
Size: 3,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
The south side of this site is bordered by several large fields. The lack of trees allows the low winter sun into the home, helping to warm it naturally.
On top of the largest flat roof, a 40- by 30-foot deck provides 360-degree views of the Stillwater River and surroundings. A water-catching system below allows runoff to flow into a nearby pond.
Decking: Tigerwood; furniture: clients' own
Decking: Tigerwood; furniture: clients' own
The exterior is inspired by the clients' love of the Greek islands. The low-maintenance stucco works well with the continuous exterior insulation on the walls and roof. The brown section holds the staircase.
On the first floor, a polished and stained concrete floor has enough mass to capture warmth from the sun. In-floor geothermal heating and above-code spray-foam insulation in the walls help keep the house comfortable year-round.
The kitchen is set off from the rest of the house. One of the clients wanted a space where she could cook and prep food privately, without being interrupted by guests. The island and countertops are barely visible from the kitchen entry, too, so the mess can be easily hidden.
Forest Stewardship Council–certified bamboo cabinets have a dark gray zero-VOC stain. The custom green cement island adds color and a whimsical touch. A four-panel bifold glass door on the right opens to a shaded exterior dining area.
Kitchen cabinetry: Jerry Short Custom Cabinetry; island: custom green concrete blend; countertops: concrete; hood: Ventahood; faucet: Danze; espresso maker, oven, range: Miele
Forest Stewardship Council–certified bamboo cabinets have a dark gray zero-VOC stain. The custom green cement island adds color and a whimsical touch. A four-panel bifold glass door on the right opens to a shaded exterior dining area.
Kitchen cabinetry: Jerry Short Custom Cabinetry; island: custom green concrete blend; countertops: concrete; hood: Ventahood; faucet: Danze; espresso maker, oven, range: Miele
A 9-foot-tall and 21-foot-wide sliding glass pocket door sits on the south wall. During warm weather the doors can completely disappear into the double exterior walls. During winter the sun filters in through the insulated glass and warms the concrete flooring.
Although geothermal radiant heating is the primary heat source, Mindful Designs also installed a couple of propane sealed nonelectric fireplaces, like this one from Spark Modern. Since the home has such great air circulation and insulation, an air conditioning unit wasn't necessary.
The clients' playful, minimalist style can be seen in both the furnishings and the architecture.
Above the fireplace, a small-flat screen TV hangs on a roller frame for artwork.
Above the fireplace, a small-flat screen TV hangs on a roller frame for artwork.
Forty percent recycled drywall lines the walls on the first and second floors. The clients opted to use all-zero-VOC paints from Mythic Paints.
Beale and his team used local, sustainably harvested larch wood for the upstairs rooms. Many of the upstairs rooms also have sky tubes for natural light. Like skylights, they let the light in, but a chamber of air helps control the room temperature.
Beyond the bed in this master bedroom, three panes of glass on pivoting hardware lead into the master bath.
Wall paint: Monorail Silver, Mythic; pendants: Hunter Design
Beale and his team used local, sustainably harvested larch wood for the upstairs rooms. Many of the upstairs rooms also have sky tubes for natural light. Like skylights, they let the light in, but a chamber of air helps control the room temperature.
Beyond the bed in this master bedroom, three panes of glass on pivoting hardware lead into the master bath.
Wall paint: Monorail Silver, Mythic; pendants: Hunter Design
Concrete flooring was used in the master bedroom for easy maintenance. Water-saving fixtures and low-flow toilets help reduce water waste.
Wall tiles: Bedrosians; tub: Americh Contura; windows: Tilt and Turn, Unilux
Wall tiles: Bedrosians; tub: Americh Contura; windows: Tilt and Turn, Unilux
In a downstairs powder room, Beale and his team designed a pedestal for a Kohler sink out of a piece of ironwood the clients had collected — it once helped hold up a bridge in Indonesia.
The windows and doors in the house exceed Energy Star standards. Solar panels on the roof help produce electricity. The home is connected to the local power grid, and the owners were the first in the area to sell power back to the power company.