Architecture today combines natural and industrial materials more than ever before to achieve richer textures and a more appealing aesthetic. Wood brings warmth, texture, and a connection to the landscape, while steel, concrete, and glass provide strength, precision, and a bolder, more striking image.
When these two worlds are balanced, the result can be a restrained, durable home that is deeply connected to its surroundings. This is exactly how Caju House presents itself, a holiday home located near the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ski area, in Teton Village, Wyoming, United States of America (USA).
Matthew Millman
Living with the Essentials
Designed by Wyoming-based studio CLB Architects, Caju House was conceived for a young family from Miami seeking a peaceful retreat immersed in nature and free from any formal excess.
The house stands on one of the last undeveloped plots in Teton Village, a sloping, rocky, and wooded site overlooking the Snake River Valley and the surrounding mountains. The project had to adapt carefully to this topography without damaging or altering the character of the landscape.
Matthew Millman
“With roots in Brazil and a deep appreciation for nature, they envisioned an intimate and welcoming home where family and occasional guests could come together and disconnect from the outside world. Their request emphasized simple living—a home designed for what is essential rather than excessive—grounded in practicality and natural materials,” explains the studio.
The house is organised into two volumes that form an L-shaped floor plan. One of them, longer and spread over two storeys, is topped with a gabled roof. The other, shorter and single-storey volume, is embedded into the hillside with a flat roof and is partially elevated on columns.
“The densely wooded site, punctuated by large rocks, required a sensitive design approach that minimised tree removal and soil disturbance. The resulting structure is both integrated into the landscape and ‘floating’ above it,” they add.
Matthew Millman
Corten Steel, Larch, and Concrete Designed to Age Gracefully
The exterior of the house is clad in weather-resistant steel with an orange hue reminiscent of the cashew fruit, which ultimately gave the residence its name. This industrial material is paired with larch wood in the recessed areas, creating contrast and highlighting the sculptural character of the composition.
“Materiality is at the core of the project’s identity, with a palette limited to steel, wood, and concrete. These durable and simple materials were selected for their ability to age gracefully and for their inherent beauty,” explains the architectural practice.
Matthew Millman
The interior spans 302 square metres (m²) and follows the same material logic. Larch extends across the walls, ceilings, and built-in furniture, creating a warm and cohesive atmosphere. This natural foundation is complemented by concrete flooring and stainless-steel details, which introduce a more precise and contemporary touch.
The lower floor accommodates the garage, entrance hall, laundry room, and gym, while the upper floor contains the main living areas to make the most of the views. Here, one finds the social area, the primary suite, and three additional bedrooms.
Matthew Millman
A staircase wrapped in perforated stainless steel connects the two levels and allows light to pass through its structure.
Outside, balconies and terraces strengthen the connection with the surrounding forest. There is even a perforated metal platform designed to allow two existing aspen trees to continue growing—a decision that perfectly summarises the spirit of the project: building without erasing the landscape.