This spectacular modern house was designed by CLB Architects, nestled in the seclusion of a breathtaking forest in the quaint village of Wilson, a quaint village at the bottom of Teton Pass, Wyoming. Surrounded by a dappled Aspen grove, this treehouse-like structure immerses the occupant in nature, drawing them into a closer, more intimate cohabitation.

Under the architect’s care, the dwelling has been thoughtfully crafted and recrafted over the past two decades in a series of graceful iterations which support the site’s shifting inhabitants.

Initially completed by the architects in 2003, the 2,400-square-foot home straddles both spatial and budgetary constraints on a picturesque site with a small buildable area. The owner wished to create the experience of immersing the occupant in nature, calling for a lightness and porosity that was missing from the dark 1970s-era cabin which existed on site.

Rearticulating vernacular forms through modular components and machined details, and incorporating slow-weathering materials such as oxidized steel and cedar, the architect sought to render a structure that would sit lightly and change subtly over time – an organic object within the landscape.

The residence’s design upends the public-to-private relationships of a traditional home, positioning the kitchen, owner’s bedroom, and living room on the upper level nestled within the Aspen canopy. The airy and light-filled volume is revealed dramatically at the top of the stairs when the occupant finally “emerges” into the treetops.

A cantilevered, cedar-clad projection from the second level further extends the immersion, allowing daily activities to coexist within expansive views of the outdoors. A continuous band of glazed clerestories demarcates the high ceilings from exterior walls and filters sunlight into the interior.

Twenty years after its original construction, the home’s care was transferred to a new owner who found inspiration in its humble materials, minimalist detailing, and evocative light quality. Seeking to update the home in its existing design language, the new owner wrote a letter to the architect asking them to revisit the project.

The new design works within the decisive structural gestures of the original, while refreshing harder-wearing spaces and surfaces with finely-crafted details and warm, tactile, natural finishes. Updated elements were fabricated and constructed through modular and machined techniques similar to those used in the original iteration.

The team worked closely with the client to select an elevated palette of materials, prioritizing durability and a play of textures. In the kitchen, white oak cabinetry modules are framed by powder-coated steel to mimic the home’s structurally expressive exterior, and a reinvented island allows for easy entertaining.

What We Love: This spectacular dwelling offers its inhabitants a treehouse-like vibe to promote a relaxed living environment. Surrounded by nature, this sanctuary has clean lines and a simple material palette to focus one’s attention on the great outdoors. We are loving the way the floor plan is arranged for privacy, with the guest space separate from the main living spaces and the owner’s retreat. Overall, the architects did a fabulous job of creating a beautiful, unique design.

Tel Us: What are your overall thoughts on the design of this modern Wyoming house in the trees? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Check out a couple of other fascinating home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign in the state of Wyoming: A modern cabin in the woods with glorious views of the Teton Mountains and Tour this gorgeous timber and barn wood home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Above: In the corner of the living room is the Le Corbusier Lc4 Chaise Lounge.

The main bathroom reverses the original plan, positioning the bathtub near the window and wrapping the ceiling and walls in tile and warm wood finishes.

On the lower level you will find a guest bedroom and entry area that is nestled close to the hillside and flooded with natural light by the expansive, two-story window that lines the main stairwell.

PHOTOGRAPHER Matthew Millman