Martis Camp mountainous retreat

The private camp, located near Lake Tahoe, offers its resident’s respite from their everyday lives as they co-exist with the natural environment. New York firm, Blaze Makoid Architecture have designed a multi-level family holiday home that captures the most of the Martis Camp lifestyle.

Respecting the natural environment

The simple ‘L’ shaped footprint has been designed to preserve the natural sloping site and limit tree removal while making the most of the sweeping mountain range views to the north and west.

To overcome the challenge of the site’s steep pitch, the architects constructed a solid stone-faced plinth. The three-story home rests on the stone structure, which also formed a sheltered car park.

High natural stone retaining walls have been positioned along the highest point of the site. Combining the stone walls with a dramatic cantilevered roof, the architects have created an undercover outdoor terrace space which offers outdoor cooking facilities, as well as dining and entertaining areas.

Blending into the landscape

The terraced home is visually set back into the landscape thanks to the black cedar cladding. It enables the home to “blend with the landscape during the summer and fall, and pose as a dramatic counterpoint to the snow cover through the winter months”, states the architect.

Inside, the relationship with the outdoors is fostered through the open plan living and expansive glazing. The interior materials palette also reflects the site’s natural environment with the continued use of stone and timber.

Martis Camp is the ultimate place for everyday adventures. In the winter, residents don their snowshoes and skis to spend the day out on the mountains. In the summer, the tennis rackets and golf clubs come out to play.

Blaze Makoid Architecture has no doubt, provided the homeowners with a luxurious shelter for their camp weekends away.

See more of this Martis Camp project and others at Blaz Makoid Architecture.

Photography: Vance Fox & Henrybuilt