Set in the open valley near Driggs, Idaho, Penny Ranch is both a family retreat and a case study in site-driven design. With sweeping views of the Teton Range to the east and the wooded rise of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest to the west, the home is carefully oriented to capture light, manage snow, and respond to the raw drama of the surrounding landscape.

 

Designed for James Kuhn—co-founder of Kuhn & Young Luxury Home Builders and a longtime collaborator—this residence reflects a mutual dedication to craft. James entrusted us with the full architectural vision for his own family's home, and together we shaped a project that stands as both a personal retreat and a professional statement.

 

The home is raised above the earth on a cast-in-place concrete plinth, protecting it from snowpack, floodplain, and freeze. A copper roof folds down to form the exterior skin, designed to weather and change with the seasons. In contrast to this bold massing, the interiors are spare and warm: exposed wood joists, smooth concrete floors, dark oak cabinetry, and light-washed plaster. At the center of the plan, a custom blackened steel stair appears to float—its final riser held in tension just above the ground.

 

Though compact in footprint, the home supports layered use: a guest suite over the garage offers privacy for extended family; an upstairs gym and office allow for working and living year-round; and a second lounge offers a quieter space for conversation or late-night unwinding, even as the main living area stays lively into the evening. Covered exterior decks extend from key rooms, offering shade in the high summer sun and shelter in the snow—each one intentionally placed for light, view, and use.

​

Penny Ranch is a defining project in our ongoing collaboration with Kuhn & Young. Conceived in close dialogue, this home reflects the best of what we bring to the table together: vision, precision, regional fluency, and a shared commitment to craft. It’s the kind of work that pushes both our teams to go further—and sets the tone for future homes we hope to realize in the Teton Valley. For those drawn to this kind of process and place, Penny Ranch offers a glimpse of what thoughtful design can make possible.

​

Building Partner: Kuhn & Young Luxury Home Builders

​

​