The homeowners love to entertain, so the house is designed to create an open and casual atmosphere with a strong connection to the outdoors. The home is oriented toward the best view of the river while maintaining good solar orientation for taking advantage of solar heat gain in the winter and keeping out the hot summer sun. The large roof over the living room serves to shade large areas of glass in the summer, while geothermal heat pumps and high levels of insulation help keep it warm and energy efficient in the winter. With such an extreme climate in Big Sky, Mont., the house is specifically designed to withstand both sides of the temperature spectrum.
