Fat Deer Lodge

There is something about architecture that embraces nature and the land on which it is positioned and there are few better examples of this in action than Fat Deer Lodge. Located in Darby, Montana, the design of this 2,400 square foot residence is a personal reflection of the homeowners’ flair for style, life experiences, and love of the land. From its unexpected placement on the lot to its name, the home is full of memorable stories.

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Designed by the talented team of architects at Cushing Terrell, Fat Deer Lodge has steep topography at the back of the lot and breathtaking views all around. In most cases, the home would have been situated in the centre, impacting a large field where deer and elk come to feed. In order to minimise disruption to this space, the family chose to leave the field natural and untouched. Therefore, the home was tucked into the far side of the lot with less of an impact on the site and created a beautiful foreground as you approach the house. The family’s daughter named the residence after the deer and elk co-habitants.

The living spaces at Fat Deer Lodge are oriented toward views of Trapper Peak, so no matter where you are in the property, you have a majestic, framed view of the mountain via the home’s large windows. The house was intentionally designed to look understated from the front and blend into the tree line, while the back of the house is expansive with “walls of glass” that deliver an impressive tree-house-like feel.

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While it’s clear that Fat Deer Lodge incorporates nods to a Montana aesthetic, such as rough reclaimed wood beams throughout, it is very contemporary design on the whole. A simple material palette, white oak floors, and tall ceilings anchored by a floor-to-ceiling fireplace provide an open, light-filled space. Designed for art lovers and concertgoers, a fun perk for the clients and design team was deciding where each art piece would go, weaving the story of the owners’ lives throughout.

see more at cushing terrell