Created to accommodate a sports-loving family, this sleek mountain getaway benefited from the skills and camaraderie of its designers and builders

A two-story climbing wall is among the central features of the home

A beautifully executed custom home begins and ends with the talents of its project team. But while expertise is a key attribute among these hired professionals, the ability to work in harmony with their colleagues is crucial as well. Add to that dynamic a decisive and likable homeowner, and you have an ideal scenario for a successful project.

These intangibles aligned to result in an award-winning mountain-modern home in Martis Camp, designed as a chic retreat for an active family of five.  

“In reflection, it was a very smooth and seamless process between the owners, the designers and the project manager,” says Katie Geresy, founder of KTG Design, whose interior design firm worked with Ted Brobst, principal at W | Y Architects, and Bryan Bertsch, project manager with Jim Morrison Construction, and their teams. 

“The team worked together so well that it was a pleasure to build this house,” says Bertsch.

“The [homeowners] have been in the area for a while and knew what they wanted, so it was an easy process and all went very smoothly,” adds Brobst.

Given the family’s interests, the objective for the house was to encapsulate a mountain lifestyle focused on fun, relaxation, comfort and outdoor living. 

“They are avid outdoor enthusiasts; at least two of their kids are on ski teams. They run, bike ride, swim, do it all,” Geresy says of the homeowners. 

The team started by orienting the structure to maximize views, light and forest connection while also maintaining privacy on its corner lot. Because the family loves climbing, a two-story indoor climbing wall equipped with auto belay hardware, along with a nearby lounge loft, became a driving feature in the layout, with other living and bedroom spaces radiating from that central location. 

Seamless flow and organic materials shape this open-concept dining-living room space

Spaces were designed to flow together via subtle, carefully thought-out and crafted volume changes that afford varying experiences of light, view, privacy and opportunities for enjoyment in each area.  

“The goal was to have enough natural light where you don’t have to turn on any additional ones,” says Brobst. “In moving through the house, you’re constantly experiencing different light from the views or colonnades.” 

Of course, indoor-outdoor living is a must in Tahoe, and the team created exterior “use zones” that are cleverly demarcated by simple terracing. The terraces incorporate seating areas, a dining and grill area, an in-ground hot tub and cold plunge pool, a yoga space and connection to the backyard. For the furnishings, KTG Design used performance fabrics featuring diverse tones and textures to ensure a cohesive transition between the interior and outdoor living and dining areas. 

“Indoor-outdoor dining and living space is the standard in mountain-modern homes, with part covered for grilling and dining and part uncovered for firepit seating areas and other uses,” says Brobst.  

Bold cabinetry and open shelving bring character to this refined kitchen space

In fact, this house, with its clean, contemporary aesthetic, boasts the style Brobst has always preferred to design. He says he’s glad to see homeowners in the Tahoe area starting to embrace the sort of mountain modern architecture the home exudes, a trend he attributes in part to magazines such as Tahoe Quarterly.

“My interest has always been in modern architecture. When I started out, there was not much acceptance of it,” says Brobst, who has designed in the Tahoe area for over 30 years. “People tend to be very conservative when it comes to architecture. No one wants to be the first to try it out. But now people are more comfortable with it and inquiring about modern design from the onset.”

While modern in form, the home was also designed to feel warm and inviting. The exterior is clad in clear vertical-grain cedar and custom saw-cut limestone veneer, with ample glass and dark steel that repeats on the interior. In keeping a neutral color palette, the owners selected European white oak for the flooring and hemlock for the ceilings. The same limestone used on the exterior was incorporated in select locations on the interior, including the floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the great room.

A cozy nook framed by serene forest views invites quiet moments

Although there are many things to like about the finished product, Bertsch says the stonework by Johansen Masonry stands out as one of his favorite aspects—though he also appreciates the overall smart design. 

“[The masonry] is unique. It adds charm, coziness and strength. Very few homes in Martis Camp have this unique style of veneer,” Bertsch says. “And the architectural design is great from a pragmatic standpoint. The roof sheds snow in all the right places. It’s never where you’re walking or driving. Ted did a good job of placement of contours and rooflines.” 

The house also features an array of high-end amenities aimed at indulging, including an infrared sauna located beneath the main staircase, as well as an oversized rain shower head and fully enclosed steam shower in the primary bathroom. 

In the end, the Martis Camp home is a reflection of not just careful design and skilled craftsmanship, but also an example of how seamless collaboration between the homeowner and the expert designers and builders helped deliver a mountain retreat that is as beautiful as it is livable.

Award: Mountain Chic

Building Design: W | Y Architects

Builder: Jim Morrison Construction

Interior Design: KTG Design

Landscape Design: Rock & Rose

Square Feet: 5,773