Brilliance in the Making
Discover a Boulder home that embraces nature while pushing the boundaries of modern living.
A groundbreaking home is coming to life by seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology and architectural design. Nestled on a bluff of Boulder’s iconic foothills, this vision-in-the-making by bldg.collective is designed to prioritize sustainability, smart home automation, and expansive, breathtaking views.
The Nature of Connection
At the heart of this project is the homeowners’ desire to stay connected to Boulder’s natural beauty, even while indoors. For bldg.collective architect Steve Perce, this was one of the primary goals of the design.
“This site offers something really unique – over 180 degrees of uninterrupted views,” he said. “So how do you create a home that has a great visual connection to the outdoor spaces, but also provides levels of privacy?”
The answer? Design multiple spaces that emphasize thoughtful transitions between the indoor and outdoor environments. “The house is set up as a series of volumes that have moments in between to connect with the outdoors,” explained bldg.collective architect and senior project manager, Tessa Hathorn.
The volumes include a glass bridge joining the guest wing to the open living, kitchen, and dining area as well as a unique, indoor courtyard that serve as places to pause and take in the outside.
For Buildwell founder Ryan Wither, indoor-outdoor connection is integral to Boulder living. “We’re seeing more and more people wanting spaces that blur the line between inside and out, especially here in Boulder,” he said.
Marty Brodsky, project manager at Buildwell adds that this indoor-outdoor experience is about more than just views. “This home isn’t just built to look at the landscape–it’s built to live with it.” The design has been created to feel like the house is framing nature itself, giving each room its own unique connection to the land around it.
“This home isn’t just built to look at the landscape–it’s built to live with it.”
A Marvin Modern Approach to Design
The unobstructed views are made possible by massive amounts of glass throughout the home. The team chose Marvin Modern windows and doors specifically for their modularity, minimal profiles, and impressive energy performance.
“When we were first introduced to Marvin Modern a couple of years ago, we got really excited because it was one of the first window and door products that took a completely fresh look at the aesthetics and functionality,” Perce explained. “It’s just extremely well thought out.”
“We don’t have to change or modify the design details for different types of operability or products because everything has been seamlessly done,” he added.
This allows the minimalist profiles to truly disappear and embrace the landscape without bulky frames, which Hathorn credits for creating a “clean, open atmosphere.” She described how the team used the large, operable Modern windows and doors to bring in the cool mountain air.
This approach not only enhances comfort but maintains a streamlined, minimalist look that aligns with the homeowners’ modern aesthetic. “Marvin Modern lets us lean into clean lines and seamless transitions,” Hathorn said, adding how the strategic placements of the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors magnificently frame the stunning views. “The windows and doors make the house what it is.”
All this natural beauty comes with a rugged side. The region’s sometimes unpredictable weather patterns (and a house with more glass than walls) meant the design team had to consider the technical capabilities of the windows and doors. The durability and energy efficiency of Marvin Modern along with high-density fiberglass construction proves they can handle high winds and temperature fluctuations, making them ideal for this environment.
Knowing Boulder’s building standards are among the strictest in the country, the team had to be especially confident Marvin could meet every requirement.
“Boulder has extremely high design pressure and energy standards, and Marvin Modern high-density fiberglass frames and triple-glazing meet those demands,” said Melony Sebastian, brand experience manager at Signature Windows & Doors. “It’s a perfect match for a home that values both style and resilience.”
Getting Smart About Air, Light, and Views
For the homeowners, simplicity and sustainability were must-haves. Enter the addition of Marvin Connected Home – the first automated system of smart windows and doors that make it easy to program and control air flow, natural light, and accessible views on command.
According to Perce, it’s a level of convenience and energy efficiency that would have been unthinkable in the past. “Finally, these things can talk to one another. Marvin Connected Home is the final piece of the puzzle that links together home technology and home systems.”
The smart windows and doors can automatically open and close based on weather conditions, such as rain or temperature changes, and are tied into the home’s heating and cooling system. This level of automation is not just a luxury, but a practical solution for Boulder's fluctuating temperatures.
Ryan Kogan from Aurum Home Technology, who is managing the tech integration, sees this as a game-changer for connected living.
“With Marvin Connected Home, the homeowners can open their high windows remotely,” he said. “This type of automation makes ventilation easy, particularly for hard-to-reach windows, and helps maintain indoor air quality without added effort.”
For the homeowners, this setup not only enhances comfort but aligns with their desire to stay in tune with nature, seamlessly bringing fresh air into the home.
Marvin Connected Home has benefits beyond simple convenience. It allows for greater accessibility, which Sebastian notes is a significant advantage.
“For homeowners, the option to prioritize automated windows in places like the kitchen and bedroom adds quality of life,” she said. “It also creates a future-ready home that will serve evolving needs.”
“For homeowners, the option to prioritize automated windows in places like the kitchen and bedroom adds quality of life. It also creates a future-ready home that will serve evolving needs.”
A Vision in the Making
As this Boulder home continues to take shape, the success of such an ambitious project relies heavily on close collaboration and trust between the homeowners and the building team. The pre-construction phase alone took nearly a year, with weekly meetings to work out all the details before breaking ground.
“We’re all working towards the same goal, and that shared purpose brings cohesion to the design,” Perce said.
“There’s always this sense of awe when you see a project come to life,” Hathorn reflected. “To go from a concept to a reality and see it all come together—it’s a feeling that never gets old.”
In the end, this project isn’t just about building a house. It’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in modern living and a testament to what can be achieved when vision, partnership, and innovation come together.
Case Study Video
A design as timeless as it is forward-thinking. Take a closer look at the innovative vision driving this project as shared by the architects, builders, and technology experts involved.
