Located in a dramatic mountain setting on 40 acres in Pitkin County, Colorado, Sky Mesa North's most alluring feature is its natural ridgetop setting. Capitalizing on views of the Elk Mountains, landscape architecture firm Connect One Design designed Sky Mesa North as if the landscape and viewshed were a fine work of art. Early in the project, the design team defined three guiding principles: legacy, zero waste, and trifecta.

"Legacy" desired to connect the land with a sense of place that would create a lasting heritage for future generations. Coming to the project with a strong focus on environmental stewardship, the team integrated the "zero waste" goal through the reuse of onsite materials, responsibly sourcing new materials, energy efficiency, minimal and water-wise irrigation techniques, and donating unneeded materials. Finally, "trifecta" embraced a design model utilizing ecological, social, and spiritual principles to transform the property into an oasis of beauty to fulfill the human spirit.

Legacy
Gyles Thornely, PLA with Connect One Design envisioned Sky Mesa North as a genuine connection to the land through its cultural and ecological history, context, and sense of place. The design creates a meaningful relationship in the present and a lasting heritage to be passed on to future generations. Through thoughtful planning, the team aimed to create greater meaning and value of the land extending beyond the physical construction to encourage a thoroughfare of meaningful memories.

Zero Waste
Every process, from sourcing materials to site operations, was strategically planned to reinforce zero-waste principles. This strategy included triple glazing windows for maximum efficiency, carefully selecting plant palettes for water conservation, lining ditches appropriately, and reusing materials from existing hardscapes and structures - such as pavers, flagstone, windows, and doors. Existing, onsite sandstone pavers were strategically incorporated into the site retaining walls, while old wood fencing and vegetation removed for fire breaks was chipped and used as mulch for paths. Boulders excavated during construction were placed throughout the property to enhance the overall aesthetic that naturally connects to the land. Additionally, vendors were asked to ship procured items using biodegradable packaging.

 

Trifecta
Influenced by the long-term sustainability of the permaculture model in agriculture, Sky Mesa North's trifecta concept incorporated consideration of social, ecological, and spiritual needs into every design decision. Social needs influence design features that encourage friendship, gathering, and leisure. The environmental element serves to strengthen the existing ecological community and embrace nature in its many forms. Design that enriches a sense of place - the feel, essence, or beauty of it - is referred to as spirit. Connect One Design's trifecta design is embodied in the cold plunge pond. Once a shallow, silty body of water with little biological diversity, the pond was envisioned as an extension of the pool. The two were joined together by a large deck for hosting parties (social). The enhanced edge conditions support riparian species (ecological) and provide a place for contemplative relaxation, like floating in the cool water on a sunny afternoon (spiritual).

Attention to Detail
The team created a 'threshold moment' in the property's entrance with a 30-foot-long bridge that announces one's arrival to the site. The driveway was intentionally rerouted to encourage sweeping views of 12,965-foot-tall Mt. Sopris while removing the road from the view of sunbathers above. Asphalt from the pre-existing driveway was recycled over base material in the creation of the new drive, while the autocourt features the crunch of gravel to cultivate the feeling of arriving at a grand country manor.

In addition to protecting the views from the site, the design team preserved the ridgeline view from other vantage points on the valley floor below. This was achieved through a subtle blending of the structures with the topography and vegetation, including the use of green roofs to shroud the roofline. Additionally, only low-level, pedestrian-scale lighting was installed to avoid highlighting the residence at night and to encourage evening stargazing.

Connect One Design developed two miles of soft-surface trail throughout the 40-acre property, enabling the thrill of discovery by leading to intriguing destination points. Fields once used for hay production now feature wildflower meadows, pollination gardens that attract butterflies, bridges that cross meandering streams, vegetative nooks, and overlooks of the grand views beyond. Additional destinations include a restored fishing pond and boardwalks, a tea house, a teepee, and a large fire bowl with stone seating.

The team focused on rehabilitating the degraded landscape on site, paying particular attention to the watercourse. Water from Red Mountain Ditch collects sediment and fertilizer from heavy agricultural use upstream and flows into Little Woody Creek, which feeds Sky Mesa North's ditch. The degraded water quality and uncontrolled flow did little to encourage ecological diversity. Newly constructed wetlands and two upper distillation ponds filter the heavy sediment and nitrogen-rich run-off while offering refuge to red-winged blackbirds and other species. Working with Roaring Fork Engineering, Connect One Design reimagined the ditch as a stream meandering through the property by replacing damaged plastic liners and introducing riffles, drops, runs, and cascading steps surrounded by lush, native vegetation. The slowed stream further supports the settling of sediment by providing an improved habitat while ensuring the owner's water rights are utilized. The final downstream link in this chain is the previously mentioned 6,500-square-foot cold plunge pond. By the time the stream arrives at this third and lowest pond, the water is crystal clear.

Indoor/Outdoor Connection
To compliment the seven-bedroom home designed by David Johnston Architects (DJA), the Landscape Architect structured the surrounding hardscape patio areas to appear to 'float' above the landscape, blending into the restored natural habitat beyond. The centerpiece of this effort is the 935-square-foot knife-edge indoor/outdoor infinity pool accompanied by a 100-sqaure-foot custom hot tub with French grey plaster specifically selected to optimize the reflection of the sky. Maintaining the zero-waste principle of the project, energy use is offset by solar thermal and solar PV.

A swim channel allows guests to enter the pool from within the home, while a flop bar creates easy access to the spa. The surrounding pool terrace of limestone holds up to nine chaise lounge chairs and connects through a custom limestone bridge to the spa deck comprising 305 square feet of limestone and 235 square feet of sustainably harvested, MOSO Fused Bamboo wood decking. The deck hosts up to four armchairs oriented to watch the aeronautical activity of the nearby Aspen airport, as the client was an avid pilot. An additional, 905-square-foot bamboo deck, starring two fire features, serves as a nexus where pool, pond, and stream converge.

Reflection
Sky Mesa North and its guiding principles are a pioneering concept in residential design that would not have been cultivated had it not been for the desire for innovation from the design team and the true appreciation of nature and desire for stewardship stipulated by the client. The outcome is a distinctive home that blends engaging hardscapes and nurturing softscapes to social, ecological, and spiritual desires.