Black Fox Ranch is a beautiful residential project located in Houses Jackson, United States, designed by CLB Architects. The project comprises a couple’s primary residence and a barn with stables, sited next to a band of cottonwoods and aspens in the former riverbed of the Snake River.
The site’s history as a working cattle ranch inspired the design and planning of Black Fox Ranch, with 100-year-old irrigation ditches, remnants of a 19th-century trapper’s cabin, corrals, and game trails that crisscross the 35-acre ranch. The clients chose the site due to their appreciation of wildlife and conservation, as well as their love of horses and desire to return the land to its historic roots as a working ranch with livestock and hay production.
The low-slung, three-bedroom residence gradually rises from the meadow, capped by a compact second story containing the primary bedroom suite and an office suite with access to a rooftop deck. The long, low slope of the roof is structured with a cross-laminated timber (CLT) roof system. The deep overhang creates cover for an outdoor dining terrace that frames Teton Mountain views to the west and the Gros Ventre Range to the east. Deliberately composed exterior spaces wrap the perimeter of the building, allowing access to the panoramic views and one’s preference for sun or shade throughout the day.
The home’s L-shaped plan separates the main living spaces, including the living, dining, kitchen, den, and primary bedroom, from secondary areas such as guest quarters, gym, sauna, and laundry room. Living areas on the ground floor open to sheltered outdoor areas that include a fire pit, pizza oven, and a stand of Aspen trees. Throughout the long side of the “L,” views are framed of iconic Sheep Mountain, also known as Sleeping Indian.
The project’s material palette consists of dark-stained cedar, steel, and board-formed concrete, defining the exterior of the buildings. Inside, white oak and polished concrete floors, custom steel, and walnut millwork establish a grounded, earthy sense of warmth. New topsoil and native seeding were added to restore the land, and a newly planted bosque of Aspen trees introduced shade and established a sense of placemaking.
The barn, corral, and pastures are situated close to the residence, ensuring that the horses are a constant visual presence. The neighborhood has access to miles of private riding trails that access the Snake River and Grand Teton National Park. The project’s overall design and planning draw from the site’s history, aiming to bring the historic ranch into the future.
Black Fox Ranch was a legacy project, helping the owners return to their equestrian roots and fulfilling their desire to restore the land to its historic roots as a working ranch with livestock and hay production. The project’s lead architects were Eric Logan and Leo Naegele, with KL&A as the structural engineer and DesignWorkshop as the landscape architect. Photographs were taken by Matthew Millman and Kevin Scott, and manufacturers involved in the project included Kalwall®, Gaggenau, Bildau & bussman, Henrybuilt, Isokern, Ortal, Samuel Heath, Willow Creek Woodworks, and western red cedar.
