Bear's Den / Bird's Nest / Hog Pen
Exterior
Interior
Ron designed “The Bear’s Den” and “The Bird’s Nest” as timeless age old structures with Asian Fusion design elements and decorative influences presented on a grand scale in miniature design. Massive weathered wooden beams, swooped tiled roofs, and battered masonry walls, mounted on a fortress of moss covered stone walls with a pond, waterfall, and creek running through the garden welcoming families and friends and making their stay memorable.
Like most projects, this one evolved over time to meet the client’s needs. Function and fun were key precepts. Guest accommodations were needed, and their extensive Asian collection of antiques became the fun medium to work with. In selecting the site for a building of any function, whether a private dwelling or public facility such as a palace or a temple, many Asian cultures tended to attach special meaning to the natural surroundings. They never considered a place good enough for a building of any type unless it commanded an appropriate view of “Mountains and Water.” This site in Bigfork was perfect for this project. A structure was invariably positioned to face a stream with a mountainous area at the back side. Ideally, the mountain had to have “wings” at both ends so that it could embrace the structure, which in keeping with traditional considerations had to have a stream flowing in front. Efforts were made to avoid having man-made construction disrupt this natural contour of the terrain.
This project, like many others, had it’s design challenges like small lot sizes, high water tables, set back restrictions to name but a few, but in the end, all obstacles were overcome and the Village Compound was completed in 2006 to the delight of the owners, their guests, and myself.
The exterior of the “Hog Pen” was designed as an old horse stable, but is now home to a small herd of iron horses. Lots of chrome and stainless steel, amidst the Harley Davidson Black and Orange paint scheme inside, illustrates the evolution of the horse. It features the Ying Yang Saloon with 42 inch Hi-Def Satellite TV and Wi-Fi high speed internet along with a complete motorcycle maintenance shop for taking care the herd.
The Hog Pen fits nicely into the overall exterior theme blending completely with the two nearby Guest Houses. However, on the inside it is a place to hang out with the guys, watch the game on the flat screen TV, integrated into the back Bar or enjoy a friendly game of darts or poker. Enjoy cusotm and antique motorcycles as well.