Mountain Living
The Evolution of Modern Rustic Homes
Talk about staying power. Rustic architecture, which has roots that predate the settlement of the American West, is still very much in demand today. But while current residences reference traditional concepts of the past, a combination of changing lifestyle needs and technological advances has allowed modern rustic architecture to make its own 21st-century statement.
“The first cabins were built out of poverty,” notes Paul Bertelli of JLF Architects. “People would hand hew a log, frame it up and make a shelter. Trees and very unsophisticated masonry—these were the basics of rustic.” Those same simple forms and materials became the building blocks for future designs, but with a twist. Architect Jerry Locati of Locati Architects reflects on the shift: “As industrialization spread, the idea of ‘rustic’ became more symbolic than essential. It was no longer just about survival but about creating a home that felt connected to nature.”
And while our predecessors worked hard to keep the harsh elements at bay, glass manufacturing techniques that allow for windows to be produced in pretty much any shape or size literally let the sun shine in. Gone are the small apertures and dark interiors that characterize traditional rustic. In their place, open floor plans with large expanses of glazing welcome natural light while offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. “Modern technology allows us to create large, open spaces with structural integrity that still feel like they belong in the natural world,” says architect Ryan Lee of Forum Phi.
