Shou Sugi Ban Chalet overlooks Rocky Mountains in Idaho

US architecture firm Michael Doty Associates has embedded this shou sugi ban residence into its majestic mountainous surroundings in rural Idaho. Called Shaw Mesa residence, the 3,850-square-foot property is located on a site in between the Sawtooth and White Clouds Mountains, which form part of the Rocky Mountains in the western United States.

Michael Doty Associates excavated part of the inclined site to make way for the house. The roof gently slopes up towards views to the mountains in the west and overhangs on this side to rest on steel columns.

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Because of the remote location, near to the small town of Stanley, the architects wanted to minimize the need to bring or carry away building materials. When the foundations of the home were dug, the stones were reused to build retaining walls on the property.

“The rock within the excavated material was screened from the native soil and used in the gabion site walls. Native grasses and natural landscape features help to soften the transition between the sagebrush and grass-covered hillside to the house.”

Michael Doty

The rest of the walls are clad in timber planks, which are charred black using the traditional Japanese technique known as shou sugi ban to make them resistant to rot and fire. A black corrugated metal roof completes the home’s monochrome exterior, with a paler wood lining the underside.

Idaho is a popular location for isolated retreats. With this in mind, the architects split the residence into three volumes to separate different function. One is occupied by the living, kitchen and dining room, while four bedrooms are located in another. The thirds hosts the garage.

Because of the roof’s gentle slope, these areas feature tall ceilings that open landscape views on three sides of the house. Full-height sliding doors open to the back terrace, featuring an open fire pit. A minimal palette of black steel columns and exposed wooden beams continues inside, alongside dark-grey metal furnishings and a tall fireplace.

Photography courtesy of Gabe Border.