Grand Pictorial Tour of Off-Grid Masterpiece

Take a tour through Green Builder Media’s VISION House Mariposa Meadows as the final touches are completed. 

Starting with the small grove that signifies the beginning of fall, the Aspen leaves transform from lively green to a combination of bright yellow and golden orange as they prepare for the relentless mountain winter. Their contrast with the dark evergreens painted on the mountains adds to the enchantment of VISION House Mariposa Meadows. 

Changing aspens near Mariposa Meadows

Lake San Cristobol near Mariposa Meadows

Just as the leaves change, phase one of Mariposa Meadows is wrapping up at the 122-acre inholding in the Gunnison National Forest. Owners Sara Gutterman and Ron Jones have longed for this moment since purchasing the property in 2014. Aiming to preserve the property’s wildness and natural habitat, the pair went on a quest to showcase the possibilities of sustainable building practices. 

Currently, there are three buildings on the property–warmly embraced by an aspen forest. Jones meticulously designed the buildings to each have a perfect view unobstructed by the road. 

A birds-eye view of VISION House Mariposa Meadows

To make this off-grid, net-zero project possible, the homes utilize a collection of top-of-the-line and innovative products from companies looking to positively impact the environment. They work in harmony together to form a smart and efficient home system.

Outdoor Living Oasis

As you drive up the winding road to the property nestled in the trees, you will instantly feel the connection with nature. The expansive 1,500-square-foot deck by Trex invites guests to absorb the surrounding magnificence and embrace the healing powers of Mother Nature. 

The lounging furniture and outdoor dining sets invite you to spend copious amounts of time relaxing as you gaze into the millions of acres of national forest surrounding the homes. Additionally, Trex’s fire features and LED-lit railings transform the space from day to night.

Atrium Duet hospitality deck all dressed up for guests!

Cozy up to the fire features on the Atrium Duet hospitality deck

The neutral James Hardie fiber cement siding and trim and wainscoting by Creative Mines complement the neighboring aspen trunks and speckled rocks, acting as a continuation of nature’s creations. The vertical board-and-batten siding is fire resistant and durable, while its solid color qualities and dimensional stability eliminates cracking or peeling. 

The VISION House Mariposa Meadows exteriors are designed for maintenance-free beauty and wildfire risk mitigation.

Energy Independence

Behind the three buildings is an impressive display of JinkoSolar’s EAGLE bifacial solar panels. The 13 Kw array provides enough energy to power the three homes on even the coldest nights.  Schneider Electric inverters, Blue Planet Energy battery storage system, and Kohler generator enable the buildings to be fully self-sufficient.   

13Kw JinkoSolar bifacial panel array powers the VISION House Mariposa Meadows

Natural Light and Beautiful Kitchens

As you walk into each home, you’ll notice how the  light spills in through the sweeping windows. The European-style Tilt and Turn windows and patio door from Euroline move in unique positions to make the most of fresh air–rain or shine! 

 

Euroline tilt and turn style windows provide ample visual access to the surrounding forest

The Whirlpool appliances add a sleek touch to the space, with each house showcasing a different finish–stainless steel, white and black. 

The Aspen Cabin kitchen boasts beautiful KitchenAid appliances, Kohler sinks and faucets, and Caesarstone quartz countertops

The Atrium Duet kitchens feature Whirlpool appliances, Kohler sinks and faucets, and Caesarstone quartz countertops

The Iris Studio kitchen showcases lovely Amana appliances, Kohler sinks and faucets, and Caesarstone quartz countertop

Quartz countertops from Caesarstone, molded with resin and pigments, are subtly textured for a uniquely natural design… sans the environmental impact. 

Excava Caesarstone in the Aspen Cabin kitchen

Kohler’s faucets and single-basin apron sinks add style and functionality to the kitchens. They are easy to clean and will look like new for years to come. 

Atrium duet kitchen

Aspen Cabin bathroom

The unparagoned LED light fixtures from Lamps Plus save energy while adding sophistication and elegance to the interior and exterior spaces. 

Aspen Cabin kitchen

The one-of-a-kind dining tables from Deadwood Revival display beautiful urban lumber. Once destined for the landfill, these masterpieces celebrate each tree’s unique character while storing carbon and giving a second life to quality lumber.

Deadwood Revival table made from salvaged urban lumber in the Aspen Cabin

Deadwood Revival table made from salvaged urban lumber in the Aspen Cabin

Deadwood Revival table made from salvaged urban lumber in the Atrium Duet kitchen

Restful Bedrooms

The unique finishes and bold grain of Aronson Woodworks furniture add to the natural aesthetic of VISION House at Mariposa Meadows. The hand-finished pieces made from salvaged Ash use contrasting paints and centuries-old wood joinery techniques, and are sealed and preserved with low-VOC Claize. 

Aronson Woodworks nightstand detail in the Iris Studio

For the bedrooms, Deadwood revival provided custom crafted beds, dressers, side tables, and nightstands. Each piece highlights the wood’s natural beauty, including insect holes and burrows and “live-edge” bed frames.

Deadwood Revival bed detail in the Atrium Duet bedroom

Deadwood Revival side table made of salvaged lumber in the Atrium Duet sitting room

Deadwood Revival bed detail in the Atrium Duet bedroom

Delta Millworks provided exquisite engineered wood floors. Each building boasts a different color floor, which ties the room together and brings a sense of calmness.

Delta Millworks engineered wood flooring in the Atrium Duet bedroom

Delta Millworks engineered wood flooring in the Iris Studio

Delta Millworks engineered wood flooring in the Aspen Cabin loft

Accent walls in the bedrooms and sitting rooms were finished with colored drywall joint compound by Fresco Harmony. The walls are tastefully textured, standing out against the adjoining white walls and bringing a sense of serenity to the spaces. 

Fresco Harmony wall detail in the Atrium Duet bedrooms

Interior Standouts

Trustile doors are exceptionally designed to be sturdy, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable. The homes feature paint grade and stained wood interior doors with elegant copper, glass, and leather inserts. 

TruStile stained wood interior door in the Atrium Duet kitchen

TruStile painted interior door with copper inlay in the Aspen Cabin

TruStile wood grade interior door with leather inlay in the Atrium Duet

TruStile painted interior door with glass inlay in the Atrium Duet

Schlage locks add to the technologically advanced home system. Guests can be provided their own codes, which can be erased once the guest departs.  The locks can be accessed remotely by the owners to ensure that doors are locked when the buildings aren’t occupied.

Schlage touchpad locks provide enhanced security in the Atrium Duet

Schlage lock detail

Schlage touchpad locks–exterior view

The eye-catching spiral staircase in the Aspen Cabin leading to the upstairs bedroom adds a distinct architectural flare.

Trex spiral staircase in the Aspen Cabin

Lee Industries has provided furniture, including dining chairs, sitting chairs, benches, and a chaise. The pieces are upholstered in beautiful, natural non-toxic fabric and designed to make a statement.

Lee Furniture bench in Aspen Cabin

Lee Furniture adorns the sitting area in the Aspen Cabin

Lee Furniture dining chairs and Deadwood Revival table make a statement against the stained concrete floors in the Atrium Duet kitchen

Lee Furniture storage bench provides a place to stash gear in the Aspen Cabin

Fun times filled with singing and dancing are inspired by Sonos’s multiple speakers throughout each home – using sound therapy to set the mood at the getaway retreat. 

Sonos Move Speaker in the Atrium Duet kitchen

Sonos Roam speaker in the Aspen Cabin kitchen

As a finishing touch, Jones saved a mount from 35 years ago in the Iris Studio kitchen, a reminder of the multitude of deer, elk, moose, and other animals who call the meadows home. 

The mount in the Iris Studio is reminiscent of Georgia O’Keefe paintings

Adventure awaits deep in the serene and picturesque Colorado mountains. To learn more about the VISION House Mariposa Meadows, subscribe for project updates, visit https://www.greenbuildermedia.com/vision-house-mariposa-meadows. 

View from above Mariposa Meadows