04 Mar River of Stars

From a distance, the River of Stars residence in Colorado’s Gunnison Valley rises like a barn from a field of wildflowers against the backdrop of the Elk Mountains. It doesn’t require much imagination to picture a handful of Red Angus cows ambling across the steep mountainside meadow, this classic cupolaed structure their refuge from all manner of alpine storms.

On approach though, there are striking revelations. The rectangular barn shape and simple gabled roof are broken by swaths of floor-to-ceiling glass, all of them protected by reclaimed timber fascia and soffit. Decks and balconies abound with steel accents, knee braces, and headers. And the structure itself is not wood, but instead is comprised entirely of elegant blocks of stone in shades of sunstruck autumn grass. If a single structure could pair the enduring integrity of the past with the modern amenities of a sleek contemporary home, the River of Stars near Crested Butte is just such a building.

The reclaimed oak doors include a smaller “pony” door where animals came in at the end of the day. A horseshoe rack and hand-carved Panamanian wooden canoe from the 1700s give guests a place to stow coats, hats, and shoes.

The architect behind this classical-contemporary masterpiece is Jennifer Barvitski, a Houston, Texas, native who has, since she hung up her own shingle more than 20 years ago, designed a collection of stunning mountain homes — primarily log and stone — across the Gunnison Valley. She partnered with general contractor Evan Strauss of Wild River Builders and a team of extraordinary artisans, from stone masons and timber workers to blacksmiths and plasterers. But, according to Barvitski, the artist with by far the greatest influence on the home was the owner, who is herself an abstract artist.

Sixteen-foot windows allow for dramatic views in every direction and abundant natural light, and hand-hewn reclaimed beams throughout give the structural feel of a barn.

“She knew what she wanted the home to be, what it needed to be, what the materials would be. They were both involved, but she had such a strong vision,” Barvitski says. That clarity from their client, who acted as interior designer on the project and was on site throughout construction, allowed Barvitski and Strauss to bring her ideas to life three-dimensionally, from the texture of the earth-friendly plaster walls with added straw, to the angles and depths of every stone windowsill, and the shine of repurposed railroad steel in accents throughout the home.

In the kitchen, Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer drawers in the island are all below the counter, and eye-level, to maximize views. The built-in shelving is natural stone.

The dream of this home, Barvitski says, emerged from the homeowners’ love of the East River Valley, and their desire to capitalize on views in every direction. The name for the home came naturally when daylight views over the mostly undeveloped valley became nighttime views. The couple wanted a simple form — a collection of rectangles in the agricultural tradition — built using replicas of the historic hand-cut block stone that characterizes Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley in such buildings as the Crested Butte Jail, the Gunnison Arts Center, local banks, and the former La Veta Hotel.

The pillowed stainless steel backsplash reflects natural light in the open kitchen and dining area. The ladder leads to a cozy shepherd’s loft — where shepherds traditionally slept to keep warm — above the sizable Town & Country gas fireplace.

Art of many media abounds in this artist’s home where hallways become galleries.

It was a tall order: a distinct form, traditional materials, an emphasis on views from the steep alpine site, contemporary amenities, and a full-fledged vision from the homeowners of what the home could be. Many architects would shy away from such a challenge, but Barvitski, who earned a degree in Human & Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University and a master’s in architecture from Texas A&M, leaned on a surprising ability to help her dig in. “I’m severely dyslexic,” she says. “But people with dyslexia or learning disabilities can visualize things very differently.” When she struggled in other areas, the math, science, and art of architecture allowed her to see things others couldn’t. Translating the owners’ vision from words into three-dimensional drawings came naturally.

A floating Teocalli breakfast bar overlooks the East River Valley and Maroon Bells Wilderness; and the dining table is a replica from the 1892 Crystal Mill, a celebrated wooden powerhouse just 10 miles from River of Stars.

There are custom sandstone windowsills throughout the home. The Town & Country fireplace has a thin juniper mantle, and 2×4-foot concrete floor tiles add a modern element to the home.

After finding the site and working through the engineering for the mountain-grade incline and heavy snow seven months of the year, locating the La Veta stone that the homeowners wanted provided another big hurdle. The team sourced stone from quarries across the country and mason Brad Dix took the stone to historic homes around the Gunnison Valley for comparison until they found the perfect match. The home’s interior hand-hewn, reclaimed timber system of bents and trusses designed, Barvitski explains, to give the homeowners the feel of a historic barn structure on the home’s contemporary interior, was created by Greg Downum of The River’s Edge Studio in Gunnison and sourced in Quebec, Canada. American Clay walls with an Enjarre finish by Luxe Plaster, exposed latilla headers, and beveled drywall brought a clean Southwestern feel to the nearly 5,000-square-foot, four-bedroom home. And reclaimed narrow-gauge railroad tracks crafted by Terry Klug of Cowboy Steel added sleek shine in kitchen details and on the staircase.

In this bath, a reclaimed barnwood vanity and traditional shepherd’s loft – used here for storage – add to the traditional warmth of the home.

In this guest room, integrated Lutron blinds allow for privacy and light control, and reclaimed beams add character to a clean, refined space.

More than just subcontractors, Strauss put together a team of true artisans to ensure that every detail lived up to the couple’s dream for the home. “The most rewarding part of the project was the challenge of blending diverse details into a cohesive home,” says Strauss. “Looking back years from now, I will remember the hard work and how the team unified to realize the owner’s specific vision.”

Floating metal shelves with under-shelf lighting make for a dramatic visual statement in this hallway work area. Hand-hewn beams show off mortise pockets.

For her part, Barvitski delights in how all of the elaborate and fastidious details add up to simple elegance. “It’s one of a kind, but I think its simplicity in both form and materials is what makes it an exceptionally handsome home,” she says.

The owner’s art studio has adjustable lighting; Castlewood steel French doors; and horizontal cedar nickel-gap wallboard stained to match the American Clay walls, bringing a different texture to the home.

A 3-D swing made of New Mexican cedar anchors a downstairs reading area. Hog panel railings and narrow-gauge rail define the staircase.

Handsome indeed. But most importantly for both Strauss and Barvitski is how the finished home met their clients’ vision with their own distinct interpretations of the math, science and art that brought the River of Stars residence into being. “We all had different expertise and different eyes,” says Barvitski. “And that’s what made it successful. Everyone here was very open to wanting to work together to achieve the dream of our clients.”

A custom Crete gas firepit with lava rocks provides an ideal warming spot with incredible views of the Elk Mountains and Gunnison National Forest. Stainless steel cable railings maximize the viewshed and an all-steel deck with galvanized expanded metal decking allows for low-maintenance living in a place where winter lasts well over half the year.