CLB Architects’ Caju House in Wyoming Wrapped in Weathering Steel

This blog post examines CLB Architects’ recently completed Caju House. The 3,250-square-foot holiday home sits at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village, Wyoming.

The project responds to steep, wooded terrain with a restrained material palette. It also features programmatic choices that make it a calm, nature-focused retreat for a young Miami family.

Site-responsive massing that protects the hillside

The architects retained trees and minimized grading by embedding parts of the house into the slope. Other volumes are raised on columns to reduce excavation and preserve the site’s character.

This strategy also optimizes views toward the Snake River Valley. The house is organized as two perpendicular bars: a long, two-level gabled volume and a shorter, single-level flat-roofed wing.

Together, these create an L-shaped plan that follows the site’s geometry. By anchoring some parts into the hillside and lifting others, the design conserves boulders and mature trees.

This approach reduces visible mass from the village. The house sits on a steep, boulder-strewn lot, and every aspect of the plan responds to that condition.

Service spaces are placed at grade, while upstairs living areas take advantage of long-range views. The home feels carved into the mountain rather than imposed upon it.

Materiality: a restrained, durable palette

Materials are limited to three main elements: steel, wood, and concrete. These were chosen for their durability and ability to age well in a harsh alpine climate.

The exterior and interior palettes together create an earthy, refined-industrial atmosphere. The exterior is clad in Corten weathering steel, whose orange-brown patina inspired the project name “Caju” (Portuguese for cashew).

Recessed areas are lined in larch, which warms and defines the sculptural volumes. Inside, larch continues on walls, ceilings, and built-in furniture.

Concrete floors provide a durable, low-maintenance base. A perforated stainless-steel stair filters light and connects floors with an industrial touch.

Stainless-steel accents complement the warmth of the wood and the solidity of the concrete. Materials work together to support both function and aesthetics.

Program, outdoor living and family-oriented planning

The layout places supporting functions at the lower level. The upper level is reserved for communal spaces and bedrooms, using vertical separation for privacy and views.

Outdoor spaces are directly integrated into the architecture. They are designed as part of the home, not as afterthoughts.

Functionality and outdoor integration

On the ground floor, the team located the garage, mudroom, laundry, and gym. These are practical spaces for a holiday home that supports active mountain life.

Upstairs, the communal living areas and four bedrooms are positioned to capture the best views and daylight.

Outdoor living extends from the interior with a recessed kitchen balcony for sheltered dining. A rear metal-grated deck prevents snow buildup.

A dramatic deck cutout lets two aspen trees grow up through the floor. This feature strengthens the project’s connection to nature.

Key takeaways for architects and engineers:

• Prioritize minimal site disturbance by embedding and lifting volumes.
• Choose materials that age gracefully in alpine conditions.
• Organize program vertically to balance service spaces and view-driven living areas.
• Integrate outdoor spaces as active architectural elements, not afterthoughts.

The careful interplay of Corten steel, larch, and concrete, and the choice to let the landscape remain the dominant actor, makes this a strong model for resilient, sensitive mountain architecture. Photography of the project is by Matthew Millman.

 
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