The task of designing a five-star multi-program six-level building on a sloped lot in the heart of Teton Village presented both a challenge and opportunity for CLB’s architecture and interior design team.
The sustainably minded public/residential Caldera House would comprise two levels of prime retail and commercial space, three levels of condominiums and one level of below-grade parking. It would have to harmonize with the existing architecture (including a Four Seasons Hotel and the CLB-designed tram building) while helping set the tone stylistically for the next generation. It would welcome the public in its restaurant, cafe, bar and shops, while housing a members-only lounge, dining room, spa and ski lockers. Luxurious condominiums —mountain modern chic, yet with a relaxed vibe — had to satisfy the needs of private owners as well as first-time renters. Finally, the architecture had to capture the energy of a bustling ski scene at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort while simultaneously creating an oasis of privacy, quiet and calm. All these needs had to be met while working within strict height and safety regulations, as well as an aesthetic code imposed by the Teton Village Architectural Committee.
The developers behind Caldera House were explicit in the mandate: to capture the romance of the golden age of skiing and pay homage to local history while finding expression in a contemporary, livable, and chic but casual style. The 70,000-square-foot building reads of-the-moment yet timeless in its sleek facade of glass, wood paneling and stone with black steel accents, patinaed copper panels and timbers of Douglas fir. Its interiors take their cues from the established design palette, particularly in the predominance of wood (cedar, white oak and walnut) and regionally sourced farmer stone. These flow from the public areas to the private with modifications for each program.
CLB collaborated with Commune Design in the restaurant, bar, reception, lounge and other public spaces and with the firm’s own interior design team on two private 5,000-square-foot owners’ condominiums as well as four 2,000-square-foot hotel units. The larger owners’ residences occupy the upper floors from front to back so as to capture both the mountain view and ski village, with sliding glass doors opening onto decks on either end. All residential units strive for a feeling of timeless simplicity. In the owners’ homes, one leans more traditional, with leather and equestrian accents, the other more modern, with ethnic pieces. The smaller condos were designed as places to kick back and relax after skiing all day. White oak paneling and floors and open plan kitchens with Heath tile and open shelving lend an airy and earthy feel. Furniture was sourced locally when possible and paired with carefully curated high-end Italian pieces. Bedrooms have built-in beds, interesting accents and textures and unusual prints. Pendleton blankets, plaid draperies and, in the bath, freestanding tubs, create a modern cabin feel, in a considered expression of the developers’ vision.