Legacy Ranch
Spectacular Views, Energy Efficiency Co-Exist at Legacy Ranch
T. W. Beck Architects created a new Estes Park home on a seven-acre tract that had been part of the family’s legacy ranch for decades and now had been divided among four siblings. The owners wanted an open floor plan and an energy efficient home designed to optimize the breathtaking views of the Continental Divide that are visible from the site.
T. W. Beck Architects designed a home with 1956 square feet on the main level which includes a spectacular great room with a view of Longs Peak, kitchen and large pantry, master suite, a second bedroom and bathroom accessible from both the kitchen and bedroom, plus a large laundry room. The 792 square foot, two car garage with a workbench area and mechanical room is accessible from the main level as well.
The kitchen has a tumbled tile floor, alder cabinets, granite countertops, an island and a built-in dining booth with premium views of Longs Peak. The master suite has a built-in floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, large walk-in closet, large bath with two separate vanities and its own private porch and patio.
The family room is spectacular with a wall of windows to bring the outside in. A cathedral ceiling is supported with an intricate timber truss system crafted of reclaimed Douglas Fir. The focal point of the room is a huge, wood burning fireplace with a moss rock façade. The floor is stamped, colored concrete and has passive solar thermal mass storage. The log and stone supports are repeated just outside on the sandstone porch which connects to a deck that can be accessed from the family room. Overlooking the family room, a loft study is accessed by a staircase with banisters made from natural branches.
The upper level of the home is 670 square feet and, in addition to the loft, includes a third bathroom and large “bunk room” for guests. Just off the bunk room the remaining attic area is finished for use as a large office/study.
Passive Solar and In-Floor Heat
T. W. Beck Architects drew on their background and expertise in “green building’ and developed a passive solar design that also incorporates evacuated tube solar collectors on the roof over the garage with electrical conduits in place for adding photovoltaic solar collectors on the upper level roof in the future. The home and garage use efficient, multi-zoned in-floor heat. T. W. Beck Architects also developed a unique system to capture heat that has risen to the loft area and return it to the family room through a series of vents along the bottom edge of a wall. In addition to wood-burning fireplace is plumbed for natural gas as an optional fuel source.
The exterior of the home is horizontal cedar siding with real Moss Rock stone along the lower sections of the exterior, the chimney and column supports. Sierra Pacific, clad wood, casement windows are used throughout. The garage doors have a unique copper finish that will develop a natural patina with time. T. W. Beck Architects also designed a barn for the site, to be built at a later date. The home was constructed by Chris Steadman.
The family is delighted with their new home in which T. W. Beck Architects successfully incorporated their desire for energy efficiency while still creating a stunning open floor plan that draws in the spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains that their family has been enjoying for years.
