The Retreat

A retreat where to search for own inner balance.

Once up In Horizon, at the summit of Powder Mountain, the visitor is invested by a sense sense of tranquillity profused by the environmental context.

Obicua Architects established as core concept of the design that such incredible wild habitat should be kept into account and respected in any possible form. Moreover they considered that the architecture of the residence shall be deeply connected with the mountain, the sky and the local flora.

The home is therefore conceived as a retreat far from the urbanized cities where to search for own inner balance. It would be a similar excercise as the “stone balancing”, activity that is caried out often once at the end of a mountain climbing.

The stone balancing is a mental discipline where collected stones get stabilized one on top of the other in order to re-create a small mountain by having all elements in full gravity balance with each other.

The process of searching for elements balance allows to empty the mindset and relax own body at the scope of becoming one single thing with the artwork and focalize on the balancing points: the harmony of the composition and the exterior balance would be mirroring the self balance achieved internally.

The residence is made of 5 units superimposed, each on made of a particular material in a full optical balance.

The volumes arranged along the mountain grading allows to have outdoor patios and terrazza from which to overlook the 360° horizon.

Each block is partially glazed facing the valley. In the podium there is a common living space surrounded by guest rooms and a ski room. The main floor hosts the living and kitchen area beside a compact Spa with a heated pool.

The upper floor is where the mastersuite is located. There is a penthouse with a private study with a large decking good for reading and meditation.

The exterior materials of the facade have been choosen to integrate in the context, such as the wood siding, and the dark metal corrugated for the main floors, the concrete panels finishing the podium.

The interior finishes are conceived as smooth colorfull surfaces to diffuse light throughout the interior spaces.

The architectural composition of spaces is determined by the relationship between the different floor levels, in order to establishing a home life made of privacy and conviviality at the same time.

Location / Powder Mountain

Year / 2022

Client / private

Stage / Design and Site Supervision

Surface / 5500 sqm