Nestled within 35 acres of protected open space, the Green Knoll Guest House is a thoughtful expression of site-specific architecture that celebrates the natural beauty of the Wyoming landscape. Designed by Ward + Blake Architects, this custom guest house responds directly to its environment, creating a seamless connection between architecture, topography, and the surrounding mountain views.

The gently rolling meadow, shaped by the historic Green Knoll fire, provided both the inspiration and the framework for the home’s design. With mature aspen groves and expansive native grasslands defining the site, the residence is intentionally embedded into the hillside to minimize its visual impact. Low-profile living sod roofs extend the surrounding landscape across the architecture, allowing the home to blend naturally into its setting while enhancing energy efficiency and stormwater management.

The residence’s distinctive butterfly roof rises toward the north, capturing panoramic mountain vistas while preserving a restrained horizontal presence. This carefully considered roof form emphasizes the dramatic views rather than the building itself, creating what the architects describe as a true “ground scraper”—an elegant home that quietly belongs to the landscape.

A refined palette of natural stone, western cedar, zinc-coated steel, and living green roofs reinforces the home’s connection to its environment while providing exceptional durability and low-maintenance performance. Together, these materials create a timeless architectural composition that will gracefully weather alongside the surrounding landscape.

Serving as a companion to the nearby Balyasny Residence, the Green Knoll Guest House establishes a thoughtful architectural dialogue between the two structures. Their complementary crescent-shaped plans create a harmonious relationship across the site, framing outdoor spaces while maintaining privacy and preserving uninterrupted views of the Tetons.

Visitors arrive through subtly emerging stone walls that appear to rise naturally from the earth, leading to an understated entrance sequence. Once inside, the home unfolds dramatically, revealing expansive north-facing views through carefully positioned walls of glass that dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior living.

The Green Knoll Guest House exemplifies Ward + Blake Architects’ commitment to luxury residential architecture, sustainable design, and creating homes that are inseparable from their surroundings. By balancing environmental stewardship, timeless materials, and innovative architectural design, the residence offers a sophisticated retreat that feels as though it has always belonged to the Wyoming landscape.

Location

Wilson, Wyoming

Project Size

6,350 s.f.