Mountain Lake

Set into a steep site 150’ above the deep blue water of Lake Tahoe, this collection of modern buildings is carefully imbedded into its landscape of granite boulders, towering pines and scrubby Manzanita. The estate, with a storied Rat Pack history, is made up of multiple adjacent properties and commands a long vista over the lake to the mountains beyond.

Two primary buildings are organized orthogonally along the edge of the bluff and connected by a motor-court terrace. One structure, the car barn, is set into the hillside and contains space for roadsters, office and hangout space on the upper level and utility vehicles, ski gear and kitchen on the lower level. Sleek cabinetry and custom furniture conceal functional support on both levels for bar, refrigeration, office supplies and tools. The upper level has two access points for cars to circulate, a back wall of site cast concrete and a wood slat ceiling concealing lighting, speakers and acoustic treatment. The entire lakeside is wrapped with a curtainwall of stainless steel and glass. The lower level, accessed by a ramped driveway provides utility space below grade and access out to a terrace set into the boulders and trees.

The primary residence is set lightly on the land, supported on two concrete piers and cantilevered nearly thirty feet over the edge of the bluff. Water, air and views flow below the building which is connected to the garage by a skyway and to the entry court by bridge. A glass floor just inside the main entry allows a view of the boulders under the building and a first peak of the blue water far below. The design provides privacy from the street, discretely conceal the heroic structural steel and mass timber required to meet heavy snow load and seismic requirements and capture views through the trees to the lake and ski slopes beyond. On the rooftop, accessed by a perforated steel stair, are balconies in the treetops with an outdoor bar, moon deck and firepit. Access to the lakeshore and pier, far below these buildings, is provided by a funicular with undulating steel track hugging the contours of the site or by a stair of steel and thermally treated timber for the less faint of heart.