Studhorse by Olson Kundig: A Pavilion-Style Retreat in Washington’s Methow Valley

  • Project: Studhorse
  • Architect: Olson Kundig Architects
  • Location: United States, Winthrop, WA
  • Year: 2015
  • Area: 379 m2
  • Photography: Benjamin Benschneider

A Home Designed for Year-Round Adventure

Situated on a 20-acre site in the remote Methow Valley, Studhorse by Olson Kundig is a 4,078-square-foot family retreat designed to celebrate outdoor living and rugged elegance. Surrounded by pristine wilderness, Nordic ski trails, and panoramic views of Studhorse Ridge and Pearrygin Lake, the residence is composed of four detached pavilions that frame a shared central courtyard and pool.

This bold configuration blurs the boundary between architecture and landscape, allowing the family to engage directly with nature through all four seasons.

A Courtyard Plan Inspired by Circling Wagons

Drawing inspiration from the historic motif of circling wagons, the home’s four buildings are positioned around a central communal area, creating a sense of protection and connection. Each structure has a defined role within the overall layout:

  • The common pavilion includes the kitchen, family room, and bar, designed for entertaining and shared experiences.

  • A private wing houses the primary bedroom, children’s room, and den, tucked away for quiet and retreat.

  • Guest quarters are separate from the main buildings, offering independence and privacy.

  • A standalone sauna pavilion is sited to take advantage of a secluded valley view, further enhancing the sense of wellness and immersion.

Rugged Materials for a Harsh Landscape

Studhorse was built to endure extreme environmental conditions, from dry, wildfire-prone summers to harsh snowy winters. The material palette reflects that rugged context, with:

  • Weathering steel and large expanses of glass

  • Reclaimed barnwood siding from a local structure in the valley

  • Low-maintenance surfaces designed to age gracefully and blend with the terrain

As the materials weather over time, the architecture takes on a muted, natural appearance that allows it to recede into the vast rural landscape.

Indoor-Outdoor Living as a Lifestyle

By designing separate volumes connected only by the open-air courtyard, Olson Kundig created a home that celebrates movement, flexibility, and seasonal change. This configuration encourages daily interaction with the site—moving between buildings under open skies, experiencing the weather, and taking in ever-shifting views.

Studhorse offers a modern, minimalist response to rural living that’s both rooted in tradition and tailored for contemporary life.

Studhorse: A High-Design Homestead

With its modular pavilion design, sustainable materials, and powerful setting, **Studhorse exemplifies Olson Kundig’s ability to turn a simple concept—**a home among nature—into a profound architectural experience. It’s a model for homes that embrace environment, community, and timeless design.

Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (1)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (2)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (3)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (4)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (5)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse Outlook. Methow Valley, Winthrop, Washington. Client: Olson Kundig Architects. © Copyright 2013 Benjamin Benschneider All Rights Reserved. Usage may be arranged by contacting Benjamin Benschneider Photography. Email: bbenschneider@comcast.net or phone: 206-789-5973.
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse Outlook. Methow Valley, Winthrop, Washington. Client: Olson Kundig Architects. © Copyright 2012 Benjamin Benschneider All Rights Reserved. Usage may be arranged by contacting Benjamin Benschneider Photography. Email: bbenschneider@comcast.net or phone: 206-789-5973.
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse Outlook. Methow Valley, Winthrop, Washington. Client: Olson Kundig Architects. © Copyright 2012 Benjamin Benschneider All Rights Reserved. Usage may be arranged by contacting Benjamin Benschneider Photography. Email: bbenschneider@comcast.net or phone: 206-789-5973.
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (9)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (10)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (11)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (12)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (13)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (14)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (15)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (16)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (17)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (18)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (19)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (20)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (21)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (22)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (23)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (24)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (25)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (26)
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider
Studhorse by Olson Kundig in Winthrop, Washington (27)
Photography © 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.