Year: 2022 – 2023
Location: Oak Creek, Colorado – Blackhorse I at Stagecoach, Routt County
Client: Lucia Howard – Stagecoach Builders
Type: Single-Family Residential
Size: 3,086 Square Feet
Status: Completed
Firm: Easton Architects, James Easton, AIA, NCARB

The Howard Residence

This custom mountain cabin was designed and built for Lucia Howard, a Croatian-born contractor and builder, as part of the Blackhorse I development in Stagecoach, Colorado. The project reflects a direct collaboration between architect and builder, where design intent and construction knowledge were aligned from the outset, resulting in a clear and efficiently executed home.

Set within an aspen forest on a sloping site in Routt County, the house engages both terrain and landscape. The structure is elevated to minimize site disturbance and respond to seasonal conditions, including snow accumulation and drainage. A wraparound deck extends the primary living space outward, creating a continuous connection between interior and exterior while capturing views of the surrounding mountains.

The architecture is defined by a clear structural expression and a restrained material palette. Exposed framing, large-format glazing, and simple massing create a building that is contemporary yet grounded in its environment. The primary living volume is oriented toward light and views, with expansive glass walls that bring the landscape into the interior while maintaining performance appropriate for the Colorado climate.

Interior spaces are organized around openness and flexibility, with living, dining, and kitchen areas forming a continuous volume beneath a sloped roof. The structure is expressed internally, reinforcing the relationship between design and construction. Secondary spaces support both everyday use and seasonal occupation, reflecting the needs of a builder-owner focused on durability and long-term performance.

Every element—from the elevated deck system to material selection—was considered in terms of constructability, cost efficiency, and longevity. The result is a modern mountain residence shaped by site, climate, and the realities of building.

This project reflects a broader approach to residential architecture: solving real building problems with clear, buildable design while creating spaces that remain closely tied to their environment.

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