Stillwater Camp is a custom Montana retreat designed to celebrate the outdoors while providing a comfortable gathering place for family and friends. Perched above the banks of the Stillwater River, the home enjoys sweeping views of the river corridor and surrounding forests. Designed as a residence where the owners could unwind after long days of hunting, fishing, and hiking, the home balances traditional rural architecture with clean contemporary detailing, creating a timeless design that feels equally at home in its agricultural surroundings.
The architecture takes its inspiration from the historic farm buildings that dot the nearby valley. Simple, steeply pitched gable roofs, symmetrical proportions, and straightforward massing create a familiar agrarian silhouette that blends naturally into the landscape. The home's basic X-shaped floor plan is both efficient and elegant, with four intersecting gables converging over the center of the great room. Above, a large circular chandelier marks this central gathering space while the vaulted ceilings and exposed timber framing create a dramatic sense of volume.
Although the forms are intentionally simple, the materials add richness and character. Native stone, reclaimed barn wood, exposed Douglas fir timbers, traditional chinking, and weathered Corten steel roofing give the home an authentic Montana character that will continue to age gracefully. These substantial materials are contrasted with slender structural steel columns, black steel accents, expansive glass walls, and clean modern detailing. The juxtaposition of heavy and light, rustic and refined, is a recurring theme throughout the design. Massive stone walls and timber framing provide warmth, permanence, and a feeling of shelter, while floor-to-ceiling windows flood the interior with natural light and frame uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape.
Because the building site occupies a flat meadow overlooking a steep riverbank, establishing a strong relationship between the home and the land became an important part of the design. Rather than placing the residence directly on the field, the house sits upon a series of carefully proportioned stone terraces and raised planters that subtly elevate the structure. This layered base gives the home a stronger presence, improves views toward the river, and creates a natural transition between architecture and landscape. A generous wrap-around porch extends from these terraces, providing comfortable outdoor living spaces where family and guests can gather throughout Montana's long summer evenings.
Inside, the owners requested a home that would display their extensive collection of trophy big game mounts while remaining comfortable and uncluttered. Rather than treating the collection as an afterthought, the architecture was planned around it from the beginning. Large uninterrupted wall surfaces in the great room provide gallery-like settings for the larger mounts, while an intentionally widened hallway serves as a display gallery for smaller pieces. The home's oversized stone fireplace anchors this dramatic space, rising through the center of the house to become the dominant vertical element both inside and out. The towering chimney reinforces the home's sense of permanence while visually tying the interior gathering spaces to the exterior composition.
While the architecture embraces traditional craftsmanship, the interior introduces a distinctly contemporary sensibility. The kitchen features flush slab cabinetry, integrated appliances, marble surfaces, and restrained detailing that contrast beautifully with the rustic timber structure overhead. Throughout the home, clean geometry, disciplined symmetry, and carefully proportioned structural elements create a calm visual rhythm that allows the natural materials to remain the focus.
Stillwater Camp demonstrates that rustic architecture and contemporary design need not exist in opposition. By balancing honest materials with disciplined detailing, the home feels equally suited to quiet mornings overlooking the river and lively gatherings that fill the house throughout every season.
“My wife Dru and I had an amazing experience working with Ross. He took our original overall ideas and vision and not only did he capture what we were trying to achieve but knocked it up several notches with his additions and input. It is really nice working with someone who gets it without having to go round and around several times. Ross also took the time to visit the job site and make sure it was progressing as he felt it should when it came to how things should look. We get compliments all the time. Even the people that may not like our style are always impressed with the design. We would not hesitate to use Ross again and would recommend to anyone wanting to build. ”