Pro Spotlight: 3 Elements of a Perfect Escape

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Who: Leah Shute of Studio Architects
Where: Bozeman, Montana
In her own words: “We want to create a haven for our clients. Our designs embody their restorative environments and become places to retreat into the landscape.”

Throughout history, humans have sought respite and connection in the mountains. Leah Shute, a principal architect with Studio Architects in Bozeman, fully understands the longing for natural landscapes that inspire with their views. Shute’s designs harmoniously blend with their stunning surroundings, allowing residents to closely connect with nature whether they’re indoors or out.

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Mountain wellspring. A native of the Rocky Mountain region, Shute began her architecture career 25 years ago. Since then she has designed an array of commercial and residential projects, all with an emphasis on sustainability and honoring the beauty of the surrounding environment. In all of her designs, the goal is “to enhance the human spirit and interaction with the outdoors,” she says.

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Natural modern. Shute characterizes her designs as modern-style architecture with a natural twist. Rather than seeking to make a statement, she designs homes to nestle and layer into the environment. “Ultimately, we want our designs to enhance their natural setting, not upstage it,” she says. “In the past year, our need for homes that are therapeutic environments with comfortable working spaces has only increased.”

Craving a stronger connection with nature in your home? Read on for Shute’s advice.

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1. Create Aah Moments Throughout the Home

When designing a new home, Shute always begins with a sense of place. Often the way a home sits within and responds to its location and vistas is just as important as its actual construction. “We pay close attention to a client’s site,” she says. “Then we plan our designs to create and unfold the experience of the magnificent views for residents throughout the spaces.” Shute does this by creating multilayered sightlines that pass through various zones of the home’s interior. “We treat the home’s setting as art that’s present throughout,” she says. “Our goal is to create an experience of awe when anyone walks in.”

The mountain modern home seen here takes full advantage of its proximity to the Absaroka Range. Floor-to-ceiling high-performance windows throughout the open-concept living room, bedrooms and even bathrooms frame the stunning vista from multiple angles. Rather than detract from the view with an ornate interior, Shute enhanced it with oak floors and ceilings and walls of native rock. “Residents experience the location while inside,” she says. “It brings the setting right into the living space and the lifestyle.”

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2. Retreat Outside

Careful site consideration also enables Shute to create multiple outdoor living opportunities. “We design a variety of spaces in different site locations to expand the outdoor living season,” she says. For the summer, that means north-facing, deeply shaded porches and screened patios to protect from the heat and elements. In winter, south-facing patios with windbreaks create warm pockets that benefit from Montana’s high number of solar days. “Integrate a stone fireplace or fire pit to gather around to enjoy fresh air on cold days,” Shute says. Boulder work, stone stairways or even a hot tub element can also add to the outdoor retreat.

This wood deck enjoys views of the nearby forest and mountains. A natural stone fireplace adds a striking visual element and keeps residents toasty through much of the year. A wooden overhang further protects from the elements.

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3. Embrace Mountain Life

Shute’s designs don’t merely give her clients easy access to the mountains, they actually bring the mountains right to her clients’ doorsteps. Whether it’s by creating ski-in/ski-out residences, specially outfitted gear rooms or ponds and streams stocked for fly fishing, her designs allow clients to revel in the hyper-local outdoor lifestyle.

This French country-style home has both Italian- and Montana-esque design influences. The pond, with a well-established ecosystem, is ideal for fishing. Nearby, a babbling creek and rock gardens add texture to the landscape. A tiled patio with a fire pit and outdoor dining area blend the interior design with the big-sky outdoor spaces.

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More: For more information on Leah Shute and examples of her work, visit Studio Architects’ Houzz profile.

This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.