Sky View Residence: A Sun Valley House That Cranks Its Roof Open to the Stars

Sky View Residence is a striking family retreat designed by Seattle-based architecture studio Olson Kundig, set against the high-desert landscape of Sun Valley, Idaho.

Led by design principal Tom Kundig, the 7,190-square-foot home uses concrete, steel, glass and warm timber to create a strong sense of shelter while remaining closely connected to the surrounding hills, meadow and sky. The house straddles a natural arroyo, with a board-formed concrete base responding to the cooler, sheltered conditions below. Living spaces are elevated above it, where expansive gridded windows open the interiors to long views across the landscape.

The defining feature sits at the very top of the house. A timber-lined music room is crowned by a retractable roof, manually operated using one of Kundig’s signature oversized hand wheels. When opened, the entire ceiling pulls away to reveal the sky above, transforming the intimate lounge into an open-air observatory for watching clouds drift past during the day or stars emerge after dark.

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