Reviewed by Kimberlee J Benart

Inspired by Place by Chase Reynolds Ewald features ten portfolio projects in residential architecture and interior design by CLB Architects, a firm with extensive experience in the Rocky Mountain West which maintains studios in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Bozeman, Montana. Illustrating in form the key concepts of their signature design philosophy, these ten homes are presented with floor plans, topographic details, sections, and elevations; extensive photographs of interiors, exteriors, the site, and its natural setting; and a narrative discussion about its design considerations. A foreword by Ian Volner, an introduction by Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, and an epigraph by Agnes Bourne, ASID are included. An appendix provides details about the firm, the contributors, and the photographers, identifies each home’s design and construction team, and lists credits for the photography.

Inspired by Place by Chase Reynolds Ewald gives us a richly-textured, visually appealing presentation of residential designs which are influenced by the dramatic landscapes in which they are set. As much as I can appreciate a traditional western home à la “The Ponderosa,” these are not one of them. Instead, we see utterly clean lines and finishes; interactive yet separate spaces; a warmth that comes from natural lightness and brightness; and walls and fenestration which incorporate rather than separate the interior vistas with the awe-inspiring views outside. The occupants are part of their environs instead of being isolated from them. While the floor plans reflect modern tastes in functionality and features, the structures themselves are timeless in the way they fit into the contours and substance of their surroundings. A beautiful book.