June 01, 2009 Progress Report



This is what we started with – the artist’s conceptual from local architect, Keith Beck

Roughly thirty months ago, we set out with a goal of creating something rare – rare for Northwest Montana and rare even in an area known for producing the rarest craftsmanship, architecture and design. We had a conceptual drawing from a talented architect and a vision from a bold land-owner. A group of individuals who had worked together on various occasions were challenged with the task of pushing those working relationships to a new level. As the project began, we had a few terms to guide us: Old World… craftsmanship… European character. As the progress continued through weeks then months, some of those terms evolved, and some new ones developed. Then we struggled to find more ways to describe it.


This view of the Swan under construction gives the
ability to not only compare the finish building
product, but also a chance to look at the
landscaping – then and now.

In a way, this became our recurring theme from month-to-month – how can we describe to people what is happening here? How do you find the words? You have to see it in person, we kept saying. Every month, we’d take strides forward that would make the previous month seem boring by comparison. We found ourselves apologizing for repeatedly saying how excited we were to see what’s next. As the character of each individual residence developed, so also the overall project’s character developed. And the more we saw, the more we wanted to see. Each time a major unveiling occurred, we’d think to ourselves, how did we think this place was so fantastic before today’s unveiling??


The finished framing of The Swan was one of
those big hurdles that got us excited. Amazing
when compared to
today…

So here we are, finishing up the month that saw our very first concrete get poured two years ago, and it’s incredible to think about what Bear Dance looks like after this past month. We’ve been working on our landscaping out by the waterfront, but the term “landscaping” just seems so insignificant; not only from the perspective of all we had to accomplish, but also in terms of what it has done for the overall look. Prior to this month, we’ve been so excited about how each building looks, but therein lies the exact reason the landscaping was able to be so effective. Each building is so impressive, with such unique character for each residence (exactly what we’ve been trying to accomplish all along), but they were just monuments unto themselves. The landscaping has worked to give a seamless blend between the buildings, furthering our goal of making Bear Dance look like it’s been here for hundreds of years.


Here’s where we stand at the end of the month – cobblestone sidewalk, aspen trees freshly planted, new sod… a whole new look.

We begin with a final look we want to achieve, but so much goes into getting us to that point. The first step was to comply with the requirements from Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to account for storm- water runoff. The short version is that our new project is taking away from the ground area that can soak up rain and snowmelt – water can’t soak into areas occupied by a building or driveway. So we have to create areas for that water to be contained instead of just running off the surface and into Bigfork Bay. This is done with a complex array of settling settling ponds, underground drains, catch basins and filtering materials. Normally these requirements would be a nuisance to plan around, but we saw it as an opportunity. Creating settling ponds, for example, allows for terrain and elevation changes, and instead of a flat surface between the stark vertical walls of two buildings, you now have a gently rolling slope, a rock outcropping, a pond and waterfall; and they all work together to make the buildings look like they were carved out of native terrain!


Our cobblestone sidewalk meanders between the
grassy swale and the pond being fed by its
waterfall, en route to the waterfront.

These terrain changes now give good surfaces for the crews of Concreations and Natural Designs Landscaping. The cobblestone sidewalks climb gently alongside the pond and waterfall; and our settling pond is disguised as a soft, low-laying grassy area flanked on either side by dry-stacked stone walls and native grasses. As you stroll past the waterfall coming out of the side of the building and trickling down the stone wall, you begin an easy descent towards the waterfront, walking between quaking aspen trees and rock outcroppings to the quiet waters of Bigfork Bay.


(This is what things looked like only a few weeks
ago!)

Please don’t misunderstand – we’re not suggesting the inspiring nature of these buildings has been shadowed by the landscaping. But like a well-created piece of art, the centerpieces are only complete once the surrounding colors and shades are there to appropriately support and complement. We’ve only completed this landscaping on a fraction of the whole property, but we’re confident there is more than enough now to help people visualize what can be expected down the road.

One other “please don’t misunderstand” – landscaping hasn’t been the only progress this past month. Carol Nelson Design has furnished and decorated both the Boulder and Yellowstone (er, Red Rock and Looking Glass), and once again, we wonder how we were so in love with these residences before furnishings. The Swan has had finish carpenters, tile-setters, electricians, painters, sound and security, plumbing, masonry, countertop installers, and iron railings filling up the docket for the past month. Red Rock has a beautiful new brick courtyard wall. The bronze dancing bears from Bob Stayton were delivered at the end of the month (stay tuned next month for a newspaper article on that one). Decorative wrought iron accents were added to Gallatin’s north balcony overlooking the driveway. So many tiny details continue to be added throughout, and the final product just keeps getting better. It’s just that the landscaping now garners the first “Wow” to let people know what to expect inside.

Is it over-doing it to say we’re excited for what lies ahead?