Eastern Idahoans are lucky. They get the benefit of viewing Wyoming’s famous Tetons without the hassle of dealing with crowds of hikers and Instagrammers. That was the thinking when an active family of four snatched up a piece of land in Teton County, Idaho, to build their dream vacation retreat.
The problem was that 13-acre property is a listed wetland, nearly impossible to build on without the right expertise. Luckily they had the Army Corp of Engineers on hand.
With the Army Corp of Engineers, the owners worked to ensure their new getaway would withstand the flooding of the area while remaining low impact on the environment. Once the site evaluations and a 90-square-foot concrete pad were finished, architectural firm RO | Rockett Design was brought in to design the home.
Built on an elevated part of the property, Teton Valley Residence is a true reflection of its surroundings, embracing an appreciation for nature that is seen in everything from the materials used to the efficiency of the structure. The elevated location of the home doesn’t just help to protect against seasonal flooding and springtime runoff, it also ensures that the family gets to enjoy enviable views of the Tetons, the wetlands, and the wildlife.
From the exterior, it’s easy to see how Rockett Design paid homage to the natural environment. The lower level is clad in stone veneer, a reflection of the mountains to the east of the home. The upper level is wrapped in stained cedar wood, the colorways reminiscent of the surrounding brush.
Inside, the home is outfitted is simplistic Scandinavian style. The first floor houses the children’s bedrooms, a bathroom, and a gym, along with the garage. While views are limited on this level, the bedrooms look east to the mountains which can be seen through the willow brush.
The upper level of the home is the true show stopper. Here the floor is level with the treetops, providing wide open views of the mountains from the spacious family room. Full-height sliding walls of glass allow the space, which includes the dining area, kitchen, and living room, to flow out onto the covered wrap-around deck. This main level of the home also includes the master suite with its own private deck and a tub in the bathroom carefully positioned to take in mountain views while relaxing for a soak.
The stunning views of the Tetons aren’t the only things that has us jealous of this vacation home. The property includes a private pond (complete with custom dock), access to a trout stream, and a special bonus few ever get to enjoy – a herd of moose that uses the land for feeding and migration. It truly is the ultimate mountain retreat for adventurous nature lovers.
Can’t afford to build your own, custom valley house? Why not just pull a pre-fab cabin to your plot of land instead with the Monocabin, the pre-built tiny-cabin you can actually afford.
