A New Home Designed As Three Cascading Glass Boxes

February 29, 2024
A modern home nestled into the steep cliffs appears as three cantilevered glass boxes.

Efficiency Lab for Architecture has designed a modern home nestled into the steep hillside of the Telluride Box Canyon in Colorado.

The plan for the home focused on the architectural expression of three cantilevered glass boxes. Each glass box is positioned in a moment of suspension, providing a horizontal approach to the vertical terrain of towering Aspens rising from the surrounding mountains and cliffs.

A modern home nestled into the steep cliffs appears as three cantilevered glass boxes.

The home is made from composite steel and timber floor framing that provides a tectonic lightness of the glass boxes that reinforces their anchoring to the retaining walls.

A modern home nestled into the steep cliffs appears as three cantilevered glass boxes.

The interior of the glass pavilions features Northern cedar flat ceiling planes, designed with recessed lighting to eliminate any hanging obstructions to the breathtaking views.

The open floor plan of this modern home contains the common spaces, including an open kitchen, an unobstructed, expansive living room, and an adjacent dining room.

The open floor plan contains the common spaces, including an open kitchen, an unobstructed, expansive living room, and an adjacent dining room.

The open floor plan of this modern home contains the common spaces, including an open kitchen, an unobstructed, expansive living room, and an adjacent dining room.

Sliding glass doors open the living spaces to the outdoor decks that are furnished with a table for outdoor dining, a fire bowl with surrounding seating, and a BBQ.

Sliding glass doors open the living spaces to the outdoor decks that are furnished with a table for outdoor dining, a fire bowl with surrounding seating, and a BBQ.
Sliding glass doors open the living spaces to the outdoor decks that are furnished with a table for outdoor dining, a fire bowl with surrounding seating, and a BBQ.

Back inside, the kitchen features dark wood cabinetry with an island.

This modern kitchen features dark wood cabinetry with an island.

The top level of the home is dedicated to private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms, with the bedrooms featuring glass walls for an abundance of natural light and views.

A modern bedroom with glass walls.
A modern bedroom with glass walls.
Photography by Josh Johnson | Design Architect: Efficiency Lab for Architecture PLLC | AOR: Tommy Hein Architects | Interior Design: Gachot Studios | MEP: Bighorn Consulting Engineers | Civil Engineer: Uncompahgre Engineering | Geo-Hazard Engineer: Trautner Geotech | Landscape Design: Caribou Design Associates | General Contractor: Finbro Construction