Wow Space: This New York Times-Featured Mountain Retreat Puts Nature at the Forefront

High in the Colorado Rockies stands a home that effortlessly blends human design with untamed nature. At 10,600 feet above sea level, the New Operations Workshop “Mountain House” is a stunning example of architectural harmony. For creatives, this isn’t just another setting; it’s a blank canvas designed to let the awe-inspiring environment take center stage.

As featured in a 2025 New York Times article, this project was deeply personal to architect and Peerspace host Gabriel Yuri. Beginning as an addition to his parents’ existing vacation home, Yuri created a structure that feels both ancient and modern, blending Japanese minimalism with the ruggedness of a traditional mountain house. “The biggest idea was framing the views of this incredible site, which the original structure didn’t take advantage of,” noted Yuri.

The exterior of the home is clad in charred wood, treated with the ancient Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban, giving it a dark, protective shell that seems to emerge organically from the surrounding wilderness. Surrounded by the elements, the design offers photographers and videographers a backdrop that feels a world away, entirely isolated from the rest of society. 

Stepping inside the home, however, the experience transforms completely. The interior is a sanctuary of light, clad entirely in wide-plank white oak that covers the floors, walls, and even the ceilings. This creates a warm, cabin-like feel that stands in beautiful contrast to the dark exterior. The use of pivot and sliding doors is a key feature, allowing the home to feel completely open to the glorious nature beyond during warmer months. This flexibility provides creatives with endless inspiration–from brand shoots to family portraits, there is an elegant and cozy setting for everyone.

Rather than demolishing the original structure, Yuri’s design reinterprets and expands it. Southern-facing windows and skylights are strategically placed to capture passive solar energy, while slate flagstone floors flow from the inside out, blurring the line between the built environment and the natural one. Built-in furniture crafted from the same white oak integrates seamlessly, making the furniture feel like architecture and the architecture feel like furniture. The result is a totally unique, high-altitude luxury house with an unmistakable minimalist cabin vibe.

This stunning home blends Japanese minimalism with mountain architecture to create a remote getaway that feels a world away. It’s a space where every detail has been considered, from the way light falls across the room to the seamless connection with the outdoors. If you’re looking for a production space that inspires creativity and provides a stunning natural backdrop, the New Operations Workshop “Mountain House” is waiting.