If you appreciate a home that blends two different worlds—traditional form and contemporary living—you’ll admire the thoughtful design and ingenuity CLB Architects brought to the striking Dogtrot House near Jackson, Wyoming. This modern residence reinterprets the familiar dogtrot barn typology, long part of regional vernacular architecture, by arranging two asymmetrically gabled volumes connected by a sheltered walkway and a well-considered entry sequence. That linking element is not merely aesthetic: it moderates winter winds, preserves privacy, and creates a transitional space between the interior and the surrounding landscape.
The house sits on a generous agricultural parcel at the foot of Glory Peak, where the material palette is immediately legible from a distance. Weathered, oxidized metal cladding provides durability and develops a changing patina over time, helping the building sit comfortably in its natural setting. Expansive glass doors and windows frame panoramic views, while light larch wood brings warmth and a restrained rustic character to the interiors. The combination of metal, glass, and wood is balanced to achieve both visual clarity and long-term functionality—robust in the face of mountain weather yet refined in its detailing. [Photography: Matthew Millman / Audrey Hall]
The architecture reads as a single house composed of two distinct masses. Their asymmetric gables create a lively roofline and direct sightlines toward the best views, while protected outdoor rooms are carved from the main volume and extended at either end to provide sheltered terraces and shaded walkways. The central connector is both a practical buffer against cold and wind and a deliberate spatial device that establishes a threshold between private and public zones. Interiors enjoy generous daylight and well-scaled proportions, allowing occupants to feel connected to the landscape while retaining a strong sense of interior comfort.
Inside, the palette is restrained and tactile. Natural wood ceilings and wall treatments are paired with concrete accents and carefully selected finishes to achieve a modern-rustic balance. The kitchen and living areas are open and interconnected, with sliding glass doors that seamlessly extend the interior onto a deck and reveal the sweeping valley and mountain views beyond. This indoor-outdoor connection reinforces the feeling of a house designed for both everyday life and memorable gatherings.
“A large central cutout lightens the mass, creates a focal point and causes a dynamic play of light upon the correspondingly scaled planter below it. The roof of the main structure is asymmetrically gabled. This modern take on the barn lends energy and opens up the interiors toward the primary views. Although the house is one gabled form, protected outdoor spaces are carved out of the main volume and extended on either end…”
Overall, the Dogtrot House demonstrates how contemporary design can respectfully reinterpret traditional forms. By balancing robust exterior materials with warm, refined interiors and by orienting spaces toward the landscape, the project creates a timeless and practical home suited to the climate and character of the Jackson region.