With views of the Bridger Mountains just outside the front door, this half-acre site is nestled on the edge of Bozeman, Montana, in the Black Bull neighborhood. Expansive vistas stretch beyond the willow-lined ponds in the backyard, revealing the Greater Gallatin, Madison, and Tobacco Root mountain ranges. The site’s natural beauty serves as a breathtaking backdrop and a key influence on the landscape design.

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Inspired by the ecological transition from riparian zones to shrubland ecosystems, the landscape concept thoughtfully blends the property into its surroundings. The existing riparian area at the pond edge gently gives way to wet and upland meadows as it approaches the house, where native shrubs and grasses are carefully curated as foundation plantings. A deep interior courtyard separates the two main building volumes, with a central glass connector linking front and back. This courtyard creates seasonally dynamic views through large windows, bringing the landscape visually into the home.

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Flexible outdoor living spaces at the rear of the house accommodate gatherings of all sizes throughout the year. Covered and uncovered areas include fire pit seating, outdoor dining, and a kitchen space, while a large native sod lawn off the two-tiered deck provides additional versatility. The lawn, planted with drought-tolerant native sod, offers an eco-conscious alternative to traditional turf while visually connecting the taller meadow grasses at the property edge with the ornamental grasses closer to the building. This approach also maintains a subtle nod to the golf course-style landscaping found in the surrounding neighborhood.

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In collaboration with Open Studio Collective.