​Duncan Residence
The Duncan Residence is a high craft home in the Upper Rattlesnake neighborhood in Missoula, Montana. The exterior of the home is clad primarily in stone and stucco - a reflection of the home's natural surroundings in the Upper Rattlesnake. The interior of the main house embraces a clean modern aesthetic with minimalist detailing and large expanses of glass welcoming in views of the North Hills and ample morning light. The dark wood paneling, multi layered wood detailing, and spiral staircase of the two level library speak to a by-gone era and an altogether different aesthetic that both contrasts with and compliments the main living space.
The original design called for a large covered timber frame deck coming off the expansive glazing on the east elevation of the living room. James and Gloria Cahill chose to prioritize natural light and the view from the interior of the living room over added exterior space and eliminated the covered deck. The deck was replaced by a timber awning designed to break up the east elevation and add visual interest.
Keeping with the clean, crisp aesthetic of the interior, Gloria Cahill chose a cabinet design that allowed countertop appliances to be concealed in cabinets enclosing additional countertop space. The countertop height cabinet doors on the back wall of the kitchen conceal a coffee/espresso station, a baking station, and a more general use work station.
On the south wall of the living room/kitchen area, there is an open corner gas fireplace with a wood panel surround and an art TV mounted above. Both the deep brown material and the vertical lines of the surround mirror the kitchen cabinets on the north wall adding warmth to the space and welcoming visitors as they enter.
The Library
Starting from schematic interior elevations developed by River City Design and Abode Designs along with precedent images provided by James and Gloria, Rhizome and its team of craftspeople worked to develop millwork and cabinetry details along with library and office layouts that would meet the needs of James' rare book business. The result is the two level library/office located in the south wing of the home.
The world of high end rare books can be almost as much about the experience of acquiring the book as it is about the book itself. In conversation with James, Rhizome came to understand that the library/office space we were building was in some sense the packaging of the rare book. If the book is a beautifully written, one of a kind, first edition, then the space housing it needs to be an exceptionally beautifully crafted, one of a kind space.
The east elevation of the library includes a gas fireplace with a stone surround. Over the fireplace is an art TV framed in white oak milled to match the panel details on north and south walls and the mezzanine face. On either side, the fireplace is flanked by fluted oak columns.
The west elevation partially mirrors the east with a bar filling the space occupied by the fireplace and TV on the east wall.
Laid out to reflect James' work process, the office area is nestled in the SW corner of the office with the desk facing the entry.
Locating windows at the north elevation or recessing them deeply, ensures ample natural light while limiting direct UV light and its damaging effects on books.
Rhizome was given a great deal of latitude to develop the design but the fluted columns that flank the fireplace were on James and Gloria's must have list. Custom made in the Rhizome shop, the columns take the occupant to another time, another world.
One of the few concessions made to cost was the spiral stair and matching railing purchased from an online vendor. Thoughtful and carefully executed detailing around the stair ensures that it blends seamlessly with the rest of the space.
Seamlessly integrating mechanical design with architectural elements is often a challenge. The return air duct at the east gable presented just such a challenge. After unsuccessfully trying to source a grill that would meet the mechanical specs and fit the aesthetics of the space, Rhizome settled on fabricating a sun ray detail that checked both boxes.
The sun ray detail was duplicated at the west office gable as well as providing a nice solution to the question of what would go at the peak of the main entry gable.
The pieces of white oak used in the "sun" were chosen so that the flecks common to white oak created the appearance of sun spots.
And, of course, beautifully crafted and expertly finished woodwork should have a tactile appeal - it shouldn't just look good, it should invite you to touch it. How did we do?
Thanks to Gloria Cahill and James Cahill for the opportunity to work alongside them to create this beautiful home.
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Special thanks to Rory and Kent at Abode Designs and Jason at River City Design.
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​Rhizome is profoundly grateful for the collaboration of the many talented craftspeople who came together to bring this project to completion.
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