The Overlook Lodge, conceived and designed as a collaboration between architect Rob Rogers of RWR Art-Architecture and Arcon General Contracting, is beautifully situated in the new ski in - ski out development of Northstar at Tahoe.

Architect Rob Rogers has long been an enthusiast of turn-of-the-century architectural styles. But his art demanded more than just a reproduction of one style or another. As the old familiar forms of Park Architecture and Lodge Style began to influence modern architectural design in the mountains, Rogers began to search for a more unique identity and interpretation of western mountain architecture. Blending elements of the Arts and Crafts movement with those of Art Deco and others, Rogers has articulated a new tradition for western architectural design. He calls this derivation, “Rustic Mountain Deco.”

Rustic Mountain Deco is the design concept for this inviting mountain home. The home was built by Arcon General Contracting, the McCain family corporation. Arcon is an abbreviation for architectural construction; the company is known for it’s high quality construction and meticulous attention to detail. Although the lodge is complementary to the surrounding ski area homes, it stands out with a rustic interpretation of modern elegance. The home’s unique shape was designed to capture all the panoramic views of the Martis Valley by using a zig-zag “W” shaped plan. The residence, with its front covered entry porch and fire pit, invites the street and faces the private ski lift just steps away. A quiet retreat, the rear deck is a more private transition to the exterior facing the greenbelt. Passing through the main entrance gallery into the great room, with its exploding view of Martis Valley and Castle Peak, the eye is drawn to the strong, intricate detailing, with heavy beam and post accents turned at 45 degrees for a distinctly crafted appearance. Within the open floor plan, the kitchen and dining room are both located adjacent to the great room, with a Burney falls inspired waterfall and a wet bar separating the great room from the dining room. The master bedroom suite is also accessed from the entrance at the opposite end of the gallery from the kitchen/dining area. The lower floor is composed of a cozy wine room, a family room with wet bar and entertainment center, 2 master suites, a 3rd bedroom, a guest bath and a dry sauna room with shower and access to a covered exterior hot tub area.

The materials used are varied; the stone wainscoting, corner pilasters and columns are in weathered basalt. The stone around the garage doors is cut Basalt. Between the two garage doors is a pilaster in the shape of an obelisk, and is accented with a recessed light with a metal mesh accent covering. This detailing allows for a western setting sun to light up the area at the garage doors in a most unique and creative way. The garage doors were custom crafted by Arcon to mimic the grand front entry doors, which in turn were inspired by a pair of antique ship doors. There are redwood 1x12 boards with 1x6 batten siding, with various corbelling details, as well as window planter sills at various exterior locations. The unique exterior cladding is made up of coffered copper panels, as well as the redwood shakes with their 18” exposure laps.

There is a proportional rhythm with the basalt stone work, copper coffers, window grids, and deck railings. This is part of rhythm, repetition, and proportional texturing that are at play with the materials and massing of the structure. The stone chimneys are also part of the repetition, proportion, and composition. The roof is a textured brownish gray composition with copper accents at the eaves and shed pitches. The copper will eventually take on a more bronze color, which will compliment the redwood siding materials. The wood windows are red metal clad wood windows, which accent the copper areas as well as contrast with the roof color. This home is a visual statement in art through the medium of architecture and it is what Rob Rogers conceived as Rustic Mountain Deco: strong geometric patterns, intricate details, and the use of industrial materials in architectural finishes form dramatic rustic elegance, while providing the most modern living convenience.