Long before Steamboat became the world-renowned resort town it is today, the concept of a mountain home was defined by the log cabins erected by ranchers and farmers, with practicality being the defining factor of the dwelling’s style. Even as Steamboat evolved into a destination resort with luxury homes, many of those mountain references remained prominent in exterior home design. Materials such as timber, river rock, and other types of wood and stone were used to reference mountain living. Even more recently, reclaimed barnwood and the Japanese-inspired burnt wood technique known as Shou Sugi Ban became popular to evoke a rustic vibe, even in homes with modern architectural styles.
We caught up with Hans Berend, CEO and Co-Founder of GB Design Build, a Steamboat-based architecture and construction firm, to find out what’s trending in 2024. “We’ve been in business for over 25 years, experimenting with materials and learning which ones work and which ones don’t,” he says. “In Colorado, it’s essential to choose materials that last and require minimal maintenance due to our extreme climate. We’re seeing more new products engineered to withstand severe temperature swings, harsh sun, and moisture. These products are proving to stand the test of time better than what we used to have.”
It makes sense that Berend would consider function an integral part of design, surely a result of two decades of working in architecture and construction under the same roof. That said, new materials have opened doors to many design possibilities. The name of the game in 2024 is a less-is-more approach with cleaner, simpler exteriors that evoke seamless design. Here is what today’s dream mountain homes are made of.
Siding: Less is More
“It’s frustrating when you invest in siding that looks cool but then completely fails,” Berend says. Fortunately, new materials are engineered to create long-lasting siding that is also low maintenance. Steel continues to be at the forefront for durable construction and a modern aesthetic. “If we’re using steel columns and beams, we’ll often use steel panels too,” Berend says. It’s highly resistant to the elements as long as it’s properly protected with the right finish and only needs refinishing every 5-10 years, depending on exposure.
Wood siding that’s been thermally modified, making it more stable and less prone to weathering, insects, rot, and checking, has come a long way. Products like Thermory’s Thermo Ash and Thermo Oak will last longer than ever before with a lower risk of aging from UV and moisture. “It’s still wood and feels like wood but doesn’t require the regular maintenance of natural wood,” Berend says. It comes in a wide variety of plank styles and sizes, siding, and decking, offering architects numerous options to achieve different styles and aesthetics. Metal has also become trendy with state-of-the-art metal panel systems, similar to those used in large-scale commercial construction (think of large buildings in cities). “This allows us to use stone cladding with large-scale stone panels fastened with a grid of mechanical attachments and clips, creating a natural rain screen. It enables us to create a grid of geometric stone that’s clean and visually appealing,” Berend says.
In general, the trend of using many different materials in one house is phasing out. “Many designers are using one material for bump outs, another for the main gable, and yet another for dormers to emphasize massing, but it can become excessive. I think that trend, in some instances, has run its course,” Berend says. “Our team is trying to use fewer materials in homes and make them simpler and less busy.”
Room With a View: Windows and Doors
Beautiful views are always going to be the cornerstone of mountain home design, Berend says, and that means a lot of glass. Like siding, the name of the game in 2024 is about simplicity and seamlessness. “We’re always experimenting and trying new things. It’s really about simplifying and not having as many elements to go with the glass.” That’s more achievable now than ever thanks to new window and door products. “More contemporary units have cleaner less bulky sashes and frames so it’s more streamlined and there’s a lot less to look at,” Berend says. He’s been playing with all aluminum windows that have minimal frames, for example. This is a sharp turn from the farmhouse, mountain cabin and cottage style windows that were so popular in the early 2000s.
When it comes to doors, more is more in terms of eliminating any barrier between indoors and out. “The big trend for a while now is being able to open whole walls to the outdoors,” Berend says. There are a wide variety of products that can achieve this from bifold doors or lift and slide pocket doors that disappear into the wall, or the newer multi panel doors that automatically retract and stack in one assembly with the push of a button. Glass doors are also becoming more popular for the front entry; partially for durability, Berend says. This especially true when working with a Westerly or Southern exposure; where wooden entry doors seem to fail over time. In addition to their resilience, glass doors entry doors can be alluring. “We want to create some drama around entering a home. It’s almost like a photographer would set up for the perfect image. As architects, we’re looking for that money shot,” Berend says. “Imagine a glass door revealing a fascinating corridor, flanked by an opposing window, hinting at the views beyond. It gives you a small taste of magic . It gives you a taste so you want to go in and see it,” he says. “We want it to be dramatic.”