CHALLANGE
The clients sought a home that reflected the influence of their extensive world travels while remaining grounded within a residential neighborhood in Eagle, Idaho. The challenge was to translate a global architectural sensibility into a cohesive, livable family residence without relying on overt pastiche. The home needed to balance privacy with openness, create a sense of arrival, and provide meaningful visual interest within the constraints of a relatively flat suburban site.
SOLUTION
We developed an inward-focused courtyard strategy as the primary organizing principle of the design. Rather than orienting the home toward the street, the plan turns inward, using the courtyard as a visual and experiential anchor. This approach allows the architecture to frame views intentionally, layering exterior and interior spaces to create depth and a sense of retreat.
The architectural language is expressed through clean, stucco-clad volumes with carefully proportioned roof forms and restrained detailing. Inspiration from the clients’ travels is embedded in the spatial sequencing and the deliberate interplay of solid and void. Deep overhangs, shaded walkways, and strategically placed openings modulate light and provide comfort throughout the changing seasons.
Interior spaces open directly to the courtyard, reinforcing a strong indoor-outdoor relationship and allowing daylight to penetrate deep into the plan. Large, high-efficiency glazed openings frame the pool and garden areas, creating constant visual connections across the home. The courtyard serves as both a destination and a connector, supporting daily family life, entertaining, and quiet reflection. RESULT The residence is a composed, inwardly focused home that balances privacy, openness, and architectural clarity. By utilizing the courtyard as the central organizing element, the design transforms a conventional suburban site into a layered and engaging living environment. The home reflects the clients’ global perspective through a mastery of space, light, and proportion. The result is a residence that feels intentional, calm, and deeply personal while remaining perfectly suited to its Idaho setting.