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Thunder River Residence
Thunder River Residence
CO, United States
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Other Projects by Design Workshop
Thunder River Residence
CO, United States
Firm
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2024
SIZE
100,000 sqft - 300,000 sqft
BUDGET
Undisclosed
Beneath a canopy of mature cottonwoods, Thunder River Residence rests along a complex riparian ecosystem of interconnected, dynamic aquatic and terrestrial habitats, sustained by high groundwater and a dynamic floodplain fed by snowmelt and natural springs. Today, this valuable landscape supports thriving wetlands that shelter wildlife, waterfowl, and birds, and sustain regional biodiversity.
Within this extraordinary setting lay a previously developed 2.5-acre parcel ready for renewal. Over time, the site had lost touch with its natural context, distancing itself from the richness of their surroundings. Guided by stewardship, new owners envisioned a home that would unite modernist simplicity and restraint with layered ecological restoration.
Recognizing the site as part of a larger ecological corridor, the landscape architect sought to dissolve jurisdictional boundaries, uniting the property with adjacent habitats and strengthening the broader watershed. In collaboration with ecologists, the team analyzed terrain, soils, and hydrology to guide a restoration strategy that revitalized more than 37,500 square feet – including all lands within 100 feet of the river – across five distinct zones: willow riparian edges, emergent wetlands, wet and dry meadows, and mixed forests. The design establishes structural diversity in age, texture, and form, where layered canopies, native understory, and seasonal succession build a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem. Together, these systems now support migratory birds and native wildlife, while restored hydrology improves ecological function and resilience to seasonal flooding.
Although the home appears to rest effortlessly within the landscape, realizing the project required exceptional precision and care. Through pre-emptive and ongoing arborist collaboration, along with pier and grade-beam foundations, disturbance to mature trees was minimized – allowing terraces to hover lightly above the ground and preserve root vitality. Native plant communities and efficient irrigation conserve water, while a reconstructed irrigation ditch improves flow, reduces sedimentation, and restores ecological diversity. Sustainable measures – including solar integration, dark-sky lighting, and advanced water filtration – further enhance environmental performance and support downstream users.
Arrival unfolds as a sequence of discovery: an understated drive weaves between artful walls and native vegetation before culminating in a gravel court encircled by loose drifts of aspen. The home rests parallel to the river on a gently elevated terrace, offering constant dialogue with the riparian corridor below. Operable glass walls dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior, while terraces extend living outward. In a sunlit clearing, a lap pool mirrors a serene interplay of art, sky, and forest. Regional granite paving and native groundcovers soften transitions, while bedroom terraces provide intimate spaces for reflection.
Thunder River Residence demonstrates how architecture, guided by ecological intelligence, can transform a disconnected site into a model of environmental stewardship. By allowing natural systems to shape human experience, the project redefines modern living as one of balance – where design, ecology, and beauty coexist within a restored riparian landscape.
Within this extraordinary setting lay a previously developed 2.5-acre parcel ready for renewal. Over time, the site had lost touch with its natural context, distancing itself from the richness of their surroundings. Guided by stewardship, new owners envisioned a home that would unite modernist simplicity and restraint with layered ecological restoration.
Recognizing the site as part of a larger ecological corridor, the landscape architect sought to dissolve jurisdictional boundaries, uniting the property with adjacent habitats and strengthening the broader watershed. In collaboration with ecologists, the team analyzed terrain, soils, and hydrology to guide a restoration strategy that revitalized more than 37,500 square feet – including all lands within 100 feet of the river – across five distinct zones: willow riparian edges, emergent wetlands, wet and dry meadows, and mixed forests. The design establishes structural diversity in age, texture, and form, where layered canopies, native understory, and seasonal succession build a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem. Together, these systems now support migratory birds and native wildlife, while restored hydrology improves ecological function and resilience to seasonal flooding.
Although the home appears to rest effortlessly within the landscape, realizing the project required exceptional precision and care. Through pre-emptive and ongoing arborist collaboration, along with pier and grade-beam foundations, disturbance to mature trees was minimized – allowing terraces to hover lightly above the ground and preserve root vitality. Native plant communities and efficient irrigation conserve water, while a reconstructed irrigation ditch improves flow, reduces sedimentation, and restores ecological diversity. Sustainable measures – including solar integration, dark-sky lighting, and advanced water filtration – further enhance environmental performance and support downstream users.
Arrival unfolds as a sequence of discovery: an understated drive weaves between artful walls and native vegetation before culminating in a gravel court encircled by loose drifts of aspen. The home rests parallel to the river on a gently elevated terrace, offering constant dialogue with the riparian corridor below. Operable glass walls dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior, while terraces extend living outward. In a sunlit clearing, a lap pool mirrors a serene interplay of art, sky, and forest. Regional granite paving and native groundcovers soften transitions, while bedroom terraces provide intimate spaces for reflection.
Thunder River Residence demonstrates how architecture, guided by ecological intelligence, can transform a disconnected site into a model of environmental stewardship. By allowing natural systems to shape human experience, the project redefines modern living as one of balance – where design, ecology, and beauty coexist within a restored riparian landscape.
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