A Stunning Contemporary Cabin in the Sugar Bowl Ski Resort of Norden, California

Trollhus by Mork-Ulnes Architects

“Located in the Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, 2.5 hours northeast of San Francisco, this 5 bedroom ski cabin was designed for 3 generations to enjoy simultaneously.

The essential diagram is straightforward: take the alpine chalet building type andlift it onto a concrete plinth to protect it from the snow.

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Located at an elevation of 6,800 feet (2,000 meters), the building needs to withstand extreme snowfall that can exceed 800 inches (20 meters).

The residence’s positioning on-site, however, is more nuanced. Influenced by prevailing wind-drift direction and other climatic factors, the orientation shields the building from the street and directs views to a private stream and forest beyond.

Living spaces are arranged along the open, south-facing facade to maximize solar exposure. The shaded northern face contains utility rooms where small punched windows draw in indirect northern light but minimize heatloss.

Tar-treated wood siding recedes among the tree trunks of this wooded site, and at dusk the interior finished with minimally treated fir glows warm through the windows.”

Photos by: Mork-Ulnes Architects & Bruce Damonte