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A Mountain Retreat With Big Wooden Shutters And A Pulley System To Operate Them With

By Simona Ganea | Published on

There’s a two-storey mountain retreat somewhere in Jackson Hole, Wyoming which doesn’t look like any of the other structures in the area. The Teton House was designed by studio Olson Kundig and stands out from other similar structures in more than one way. It consists of a lower level with a garage unit and a stone wall and an upper section clad in wood.

What immediately stands out is the fact that the large windows of the house feature big wooden shutters. But that’s not necessarily unusual. However, the fact that these shutters are operable via a pulley system installed inside is quite interesting. This was the way in which the architects chose to adapt the house to its mountainous surroundings and to make it fitting for this popular tourist destination. The large shutters are able to open up the house and connect it to its beautiful surroundings by revealing a series of views towards the forest but they can also offer complete privacy and protection against the elements.

The ground floor facade features a stone wall which adds texture to the design and contrasts with the wood paneling
The ground floor facade features a stone wall which adds texture to the design and contrasts with the wood paneling
The upper section of the house is a large rectangular volume rising above the beautiful landscape
The upper section of the house is a large rectangular volume rising above the beautiful landscape
At the back of the house a section has been cut off to create a covered hallway-like space for skiers to easily come and go
At the back of the house a section has been cut off to create a covered hallway-like space for skiers to easily come and go
The living inside the main house has a black fireplace framed by large windows with a clean view of the forest
The living inside the main house has a black fireplace framed by large windows with a clean view of the forest

This area is known for its beautiful landscape and it encourages locals and tourists to enjoy a variety of sports and outdoor activities. In that sense, this house has been designed with a cut out at the back which creates a covered hallway that allows skiers to easily come and go. Other related features include a large storage room with lots of shelving, drawers and pegs for various equipment and sporting gear. As for the rest of the house, its social areas including the kitchen, dining room and living space are positioned on the ground floor for easy access.

The kitchen and dining area are combined into an open space, with wood all over the floor, walls and ceiling
The kitchen and dining area are combined into an open space, with wood all over the floor, walls and ceiling
The wooden shutters can be controlled via a pulley system which is installed inside, in key areas throughout the house
The wooden shutters can be controlled via a pulley system which is installed inside, in key areas throughout the house
The floors are connected by a wooden staircase with thin metal rods as railings
The floors are connected by a wooden staircase with thin metal rods as railings

Down here there’s also a guest bedroom and below there’s a home theatre with lounge seating and a big screen, a wine storage room and a bike shop. The upper floor houses three additional bedrooms as well as the master suite. A detached guest house with a similar design offers an additional small kitchen, a combined living and sleeping area and a bathroom. Both structures feature a modern aesthetic and aim to blend in with their natural surroundings.

There's a storage room on the lower level for sporting equipment, gear and other similar things
There’s a storage room on the lower level for sporting equipment, gear and other similar things
The upstairs master suite has its own little fireplace in the corner
The upstairs master suite has its own little fireplace in the corner
There's also a little nook with a desk in front of a big window and bookshelves along the wall
There’s also a little nook with a desk in front of a big window and bookshelves along the wall
The main house is accompanied by a smaller detached guest house with a similar design
The main house is accompanied by a smaller detached guest house with a similar design
The. outdoor decks can serve as extensions of the indoor living areas or as standalone recreational spaces
The. outdoor decks can serve as extensions of the indoor living areas or as standalone recreational spaces
The sloping landscape envelops the house and extends along its walls, causing certain areas to be built into the land
The sloping landscape envelops the house and extends along its walls, causing certain areas to be built into the land
The detached guest house is placed at the back of the property and remain hidden from the road
The detached guest house is placed at the back of the property and remain hidden from the road
The Teton House has its private home theatre situated on the lower level
The Teton House has its private home theatre situated on the lower level
The interior design takes full advantage of the ceiling height and the beautiful views
The interior design takes full advantage of the ceiling height and the beautiful views
A closeup view of the pulley system used to operate the exterior wooden shutters
A closeup view of the pulley system used to operate the exterior wooden shutters