Knighthawk Lodge, Polson Residential Building project, Montana, American architecture images

Knighthawk Lodge in Montana

December 12, 2023

Architects: Cushing Terrell

Location: Polson, Montana, USA

Photos: Rebecca Stumpf

Knighthawk Lodge, USA

The Knighthawk Lodge project was driven almost exclusively by the goal to orient each of the living spaces toward views of Flathead Lake.

The dynamic site is both deep and steep with three tiers of land that transition from the road down to the lake. With the home situated closest to the water, the design team came up with variations of the floor plan to maximize the width of the building, while ensuring the primary living spaces are at the center facing directly west while the other spaces are rotated around it, pivoted at angles to capitalize on views out toward the different directions.

“It became a study of where the best views are from those different areas on the site and in which tier they should be situated,” says Design Director David Koel.

Owners and guests utilize a driveway that bends around a separate two-bedroom guest house and toy barn. A connector link between the main body of the house and another guest space serves as a grand entry that also looks out onto the lake. The informal flow of the home with guests coming in through the kitchen and living areas and out to a courtyard on the water makes for a welcoming experience.

The character of the design took inspiration from wooden hay storage structures that feature broad overhangs and are found in rural Montana. For this home, overhangs come out eight feet and tie back into the main truss structure. This creates cover and maximizes shade on the west side to enhance outdoor dining and relaxing.

Knighthawk Lodge in Polson, Montana – Building Information

Architecture/Interiors: Cushing Terrell – Cushing Terrell

Cushing Terrell design team
David Koel (Principal in Charge, Design Lead)
Fran Quiram (Project Manager)
Bryan Topp (Architectural)
Ryan Markuson (Architectural)
Zach Diede (Structural)
Wes Baumgartner (Landscape)

Project Team
Architecture: Cushing Terrell
Contractor: Gallatin Construction, Inc.
Interior Designer and Lighting: Ronda Drivers Interiors
Landscape: Cushing Terrell
Structural Engineer: Cushing Terrell
Geotechnical Engineer: Slopeside Engineering

Products
Metal Sales – Standing Seam Metal Roof
Owens Corning – Woodcrest Shingles – Asphalt Shingle Roof System
Sierra Pacific Windows – Aluminum Clad Wood Windows
Montana Rockworks – Moose Mountain – Natural Stone Veneer
Modern Steel Doors – Offset Pivot Door