Quartz Creek: A Colorado Home That Turns a Steep Slope Into Its Best Feature
Many people see a steep lot as a problem to solve. The design team behind Quartz Creek saw it as the whole point. Murphy Custom Homes will build this modern mountain home, with plans to enter it in the 2027 Colorado Springs Parade of Homes. The site is a sloping lot of more than two and a half acres in a golf-course community north of the city. Rather than fight the grade, the plan steps down with it. As a result, the home gains a full walkout lower level.
Quiet arrival, big reveal
From the arrival court, the home keeps its roughly 7,200 finished square feet in check. Stone veneer and a mix of vertical and horizontal siding break the mass into smaller pieces, and layered low-slope and 9/12 roofs do the same. Meanwhile, a three-bay main garage and a separate guest garage sit off to the side. As a result, the covered entry clearly reads as the front door.
Step inside, and the view takes over. The vaulted great room ends in an accordion glass wall 20 feet wide and 9 feet tall. When it folds away, the great room opens onto the covered patio.
Everyday living on one floor
On the main level, the owners will rarely need the stairs. For example, a chef’s kitchen anchors the space with a 48-inch range, and a flush door hides a walk-in pantry. In addition, a mudroom with lockers and a built-in bench handles the daily drop zone from the garage. The primary suite offers a freestanding tub and a walk-in shower with both a rain head and a handheld.
A glass elevator connects all three levels. It is a showpiece for visitors. However, it also lets owners age in place and welcome multigenerational guests.
A lower level built for gathering
Because of the slope, the lower level is not a basement. Instead, it is a second living floor with full daylight. A curtain-wall opening connects the lounge to the backyard. The level also includes a beverage center, a second fireplace and TV wall, a 5-by-5-foot sauna and a private guest suite. Together, they make it the natural place for hosting.
An upper level for kids and guests
Upstairs, three en-suite bedrooms with built-ins give kids and guests their own retreats. A balcony and open railing keep the upper floor connected to the rest of the house.
Moments people will remember
Every standout home needs a few surprises, and this one delivers. A sheet of water spills from the ceiling. In addition, a floating bench hovers above a bed of rock and a quiet water feature.
Solving the slope
The steep grade was the project’s biggest challenge. The team answered it with a stepped foundation and terraced retaining walls. It also placed the garages and entry on the high side of the lot. As a result, the home sits low and welcoming at the street, while the rear rises to capture views and light.
Quartz Creek and the 2027 Colorado Springs Parade of Homes
Quartz Creek shows how a difficult site can shape a better house. Murphy Custom Homes will bring the design to life, and the team hopes to share it on the 2027 Parade. If it makes the lineup, the slope will be the first thing visitors notice and the reason they stay.
Have a challenging lot of your own? Talk with EVstudio about turning it into your home’s best feature.
