Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho

  • Project: Stirrup House
  • Architect: Olson Kundig Architects
  • Location: United States, Ketchum, Idaho
  • Year: 2022
  • Area: 601 m2
  • Photography: Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider

An Intersection of Art, Architecture, and Landscape

Located in the mountain town of Ketchum, Idaho, the Stirrup House by acclaimed Seattle-based studio Olson Kundig is a refined, contemporary residence designed around the dual themes of art curation and alpine scenery. With a footprint of 6,472 square feet, the house is crafted as a personal gallery and mountain retreat, integrating the owner’s expansive contemporary art collection with sweeping views of Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain.

A Cross-Shaped Composition of Space

The design is based on a Latin cross plan, expressed through a bold steel-and-wood-clad structure. The main volume includes the entry foyer, open-plan living area, kitchen, and dining space, while housing two guest bedrooms on the lower level and two offices above. The secondary volume completes the cross form, featuring a striking steel-and-glass vestibule and a transparent master suite that forms a dynamic counterbalance to the rest of the house.

From every space, art and nature are in dialogue—floor-to-ceiling windows frame outdoor sculptures and landscape views, turning the surrounding environment into a living canvas.

Interior as Art Gallery and Sanctuary

Upon entering the home, visitors are greeted by a dramatic double-height foyer featuring a large-scale artwork by Lawrence Fodor, titled Rain Forest. This sets the tone for the home’s interior—an architectural celebration of creativity and serenity.

Adjacent to the main artwork wall is a curated display of framed images from the owner’s published book, Speak for the Trees, reinforcing the theme of art rooted in nature. The interior palette—exposed steel, polished concrete, and warm wood—offers a minimalist yet textural backdrop for the diverse artwork on display.

Fluid Indoor-Outdoor Experience

A defining feature of the home is its seamless connection to outdoor spaces. The panel-formed concrete fireplace serves both the interior living room and the exterior deck, which cantilevers above the sloped terrain. A private courtyard accessible from the master suite creates a tranquil, enclosed outdoor space for year-round use.

Outside, the landscape continues to host sculptural and two-dimensional artworks, emphasizing the home’s core concept: that art and architecture are not confined to interiors, but should extend into and engage with the landscape.

A Testament to Olson Kundig’s Vision

With the Stirrup House, Olson Kundig once again proves its mastery in crafting residences that are deeply personal, environmentally responsive, and visually compelling. This is a house where structure and spirit converge, offering its residents a place not only to live but to reflect, create, and connect.

Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider
Stirrup House by Olson Kundig: A Modern Art-Focused Retreat in Idaho
Photography © Aaron Leitz, Benjamin Benschneider

Posted by Olson Kundig Architects

Olson Kundig is a renowned architecture firm based in Seattle, Washington, founded in 1966 by Jim Olson. The practice is internationally recognized for its innovative and site-responsive designs that blend architecture with nature, materiality, and human interaction. With Tom Kundig joining in the 1980s and becoming a principal in 1996, the firm evolved to include kinetic architectural features—like hand-cranked openings and moveable walls—that allow users to physically engage with the built environment. Led by a team of principals including Olson, Kundig, Kirsten Ring Murray, Alan Maskin, and Kevin Kudo-King, the studio maintains a collaborative design culture rooted in craftsmanship, sustainability, and contextual sensitivity. In 2022, Olson Kundig expanded its presence with a New York office. The firm has received over 70 AIA awards and is consistently featured in top design publications and global rankings like the AD100 list.