White Clouds House, Idaho, USA residence design

White Clouds House in Idaho

June 19, 2026

Architecture: Farmer Payne Architects

Location: near Sun Valley, Idaho, USA

Photos: Gabe Border Photography

Sited on a double lot along the edge of a golf course, White Clouds was designed to settle into the hillside both visually and functionally. Topography, context, and the client shaped every move. The house steps down with the slope, spreading across two levels that separate public and private zones without compromising connection.

The entryway is defined by a floating entry bridge that spans a dry creek bed. Light from underneath emphasizes its suspension in space. To the left, a private guest suite is tucked into its own wing. To the right, the house opens into the main living spaces and the primary suite beyond.

This central volume is anchored by exposed structural timber and steel, with stone walls and expanses of glass oriented east toward the valley and Proctor Mountain.

From the street, the house appears low and grounded. A green roof spans across the upper volume, planted with the same native grasses found on the surrounding slope. This living roof serves a dual purpose: it shields the home from potential golf balls while creating visual continuity with the landscape. Functionally, the green roof could double as a practice tee. From many angles, the house appears to disappear into the hillside.

Inside, rooms are organized for clarity and movement. The garage connects directly to the kitchen for daily use, while the kitchen itself sits slightly recessed behind the dining space, offering a more intimate experience without losing its connection to the vaulted great room. Ceiling heights and material shifts subtly distinguish each zone while maintaining a cohesive feel.

A lower level is embedded into the slope, mostly hidden from view. It houses the children’s bedrooms and a wellness suite with sauna, steam, and cold plunge. These spaces open to a sheltered terrace and outdoor spa, creating a sense of retreat that’s fully integrated with the land. Circulation throughout the home is deliberate, offering multiple paths between zones without disrupting flow.

Topography played a critical role in the layout. From the street, the structure appears modest in scale, but it unfolds down the slope to reveal expansive spaces below. Stone, wood, steel, and glass are used throughout the home in an honest, expressive way. Structural steel and heavy timber are left exposed, stacked and notched to reveal their end grains and joinery.

The Douglas fir siding and soffits feature a tooth-edged detail that adds refinement to the natural materials, pairing elegantly with the Idaho-quarried Oakley stone used on the exterior and interior walls. Glass is used strategically to frame views and bring in natural light without overwhelming the form.