Bar Architects together with Lotus Bleu Design has crafted this magnificent contemporary mountainside escape situated on 1.73 acres in the Martis Camp community, just outside of Lake Tahoe, California. The property offers its owners—a San Francisco-based family of four—both privacy and sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

The primary goal of this home was to maximize views, which was achieved by orientating the primary living spaces along the hillside to face the views. This encompassed the living, dining, kitchen, family room, master bedroom suite, and children’s bedrooms. A spacious great room features expansive sliding glass doors that pocket into the walls, enabling the interiors to completely open to the exterior, blurring the indoor-outdoor boundaries.

Carefully planning this upslope property helped to preserve a mature-growth pine tree that was at the heart of the site. This became a focal feature of the property, bringing the forest to the front door and creating an indoor-outdoor living experience throughout the seasons.

This mountainside escape was devised into three individual gabled structures. One was for the garage and guest bedrooms, another encompassed the great room pavilion, while the third consisted of a TV room, study and the master bedroom suite. The three camp structures were connected via a glazed flat roof breezeway, which consisted of the entryway, mudroom, powder bathroom and the staircase to the lower level.

The design of this 7,580 square-foot floor plan results in a home that offers comfortable living spaces for just the homeowners, yet is expandable to comfortably accommodate up to 18 friends and family. “Overall, the architecture is a collaboration of simple traditional mountain building forms with large openings and contemporary detailing,” explains the architects.

Interesting Fact: BAR Architects won the coveted “Outstanding Home of the Year” award in 2015 by Tahoe Quarterly Magazine.

What We Love: This warm and welcoming mountainside escape offers soaring ceilings in the main living pavilion and a spacious master suite. It accommodates privacy for the homeowners and expansive living for entertaining their family and friends. The overall design offers both beauty and functionality while maximizing the breathtaking landscape views that surround this property.

Tell Us: Would this be your idea of a dream home retreat? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments below!

Note: Have a look at a couple of our past favorite home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign in the Northern California region: A magnificent lakeside barn house with sweeping views over Donner Lake and A stunning Tahoe mountain house with a California wine country vibe.

Photos: Courtesy of Bar Architects