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Minka House

Gallatin County, Montana

Located along a remote ridgeline of the mountains in Gallatin County, the Minka house celebrates the convergence of site, structure, and program. The residence's unique ridge-top site established a linear program layout, supported by the "Minka" framing that makes up the building's structure.

The building is invisible to the rest of the world from outside the site thanks to a dense surrounding forest. From the house, distant views of the surrounding mountain ranges and the valley below can be seen veiled through the trees. The home's natural material selection helps it to blend into the landscape.

Minka, a Japanese word for folk-house, is a name given to denote a structural framing system that blends traditional Japanese farmhouses with the layering of the Smith-modified Vierendeel truss. This blend creates a system that fits its location in the Rocky Mountains. The layout of the structure sets out sets up a modular cadence to the rhythms of the house, while also supplying the necessary support for the building.

Designed for a family that values privacy and enjoys the beautiful landscapes of Montana under the big sky, the Minka House is purposefully open to the inhabitants while remaining hidden from the outside world.

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