A bald eagle flying overhead fishing in a section of the Big Wood River that borders this property was one of the first sights on our initial visit to this corner of Bellevue, Idaho, just a short drive from the world class skiing of Sun Valley.

The wild site, most of it covered in cottonwoods and junipers and sitting within a floodplain, is situated between the river on one end and a quiet, residential neighborhood to the other. Solstice collaborated closely with the owners to envision a sustainable, net-zero energy retreat at the edge of town that would harness local resources and renewable energy, taking only what was needed and preserving the rest. Passive design, low carbon footprint, local materials, on-site energy production and building methods such as timber framing that could be learned by an owner-builder were prioritized from the start.

The outcome is a low-impact living experience embedded in the natural environment with access to all of the amenities of this mountain community.