Project: Geneva Park House
Architecture: HEFT Architecture Design
Location: Boulder, Colorado, United States
Area: 7000 ft2
Year: 2020
Photo credits: James Florio
Heft has recently completed the Geneva Park House in the foothills of Boulder, CO. Conceived as a masonry block nestled beneath the Flatirons, the simple form is carved to optimize mountain views and allow light to penetrate the space.
The semi-retired clients requested a home they could spend the rest of their lives and simplified the program to their most critical needs: large indoor and outdoor spaces for entertaining, his and hers offices for work, and secondary bedrooms for guests.
From the outset, the building was conceptualized from the inside out; the arrangement and form of spaces sculpted by light and views. Due to the narrowness of the site and it’s north-south orientation, a double height, light filled atrium was situated near the north entry of the home, allowing light to warm the northern side of the home year-round. The rest of the home radiates from the atrium, it’s changing light tracing the motions of the day.
The building’s exterior is conceived as a masonry block firmly embedded in the sloping site. The simple form is carved to optimize views and to allow for light to penetrate the interior. These warm wood “cuts” break down the scale of the cool grey masonry facade and create an inviting, human-scale approach into the home. The building is clad in long-format hand-made Kolumba bricks manufactured by Petersen Tegl in Denmark. The bricks varied texture and coloration is the result of the traditional manufacturing process still used in the factory.
The brick façade of the Geneva Park House adds a sense of solidity and permanence to the building. It appears to emerge from the earth similar to the rock outcroppings in the nearby foothills. The home is further integrated into the site via its entry terrace which reaches out towards the street, blurring the lines between building and landscape. Similarly, the landscape complements and partially conceals the building, as if it is somewhat overgrown and waiting to be discovered.
In contrast to the airy atrium, the building interior is anchored by a massive wooden block which houses the kitchen, service spaces, and a concealed elevator. Clad in walnut, this wood anchor physically supports the abstract white volumes above it, creating a balanced spatial composition. At the Rocky Mountain-facing southern end of the home, the living and dining spaces open onto an expansive terrace and lush landscape. The large windows and doors pull the green space into the home while allowing for a seamless outdoor access during the warmer months.
The living spaces are designed to simultaneously feel cozy for small family gatherings but are flexible enough to accommodate large events.
The master bedroom on the 2nd floor is situated to create a private respite that maximizes views of the mountains. The façade is cut and angled to frame the Flatiron view.
