This one was a real journey. The clients wanted something that'd feel like it grew out of the mountainside, not just sat on top of it. We spent months figuring out how to integrate local stone and reclaimed timber without making it look like every other "rustic modern" house you've seen on Pinterest.
The geothermal system took some convincing - upfront costs aren't cheap - but they're already seeing the payoff. Floor-to-ceiling windows on the south side capture those mountain views while minimizing heat loss. Passive solar does most of the heavy lifting in winter.
Working with the city on this one meant lots of community consultation meetings - not always fun, but absolutely necessary. The neighborhood wanted to keep its character while adding density and improving walkability. Balancing everyone's concerns took patience.
We introduced wider sidewalks, street trees, bike lanes, and setback requirements that encourage street-level retail. Some businesses pushed back initially, worried about losing parking, but foot traffic's actually increased. The new public plaza's become a real gathering spot.