The Foundation of the Embrace: Reclaiming Our Mountain Patio

"Building a sanctuary for more than just ourselves. In the middle of our third major project—reclaiming the rear patio—this fallen nest felt like a symbolic 'first resident.' It was a reminder that at the Ridge, our architecture is always in a quiet conversation with the wilderness around us."

Correcting the landscape to protect the legacy.
"In 2014, we began one of our most significant structural interventions. While the interior of the lodge held our attention, the exterior was whispering a warning. Behind the house sat a series of failing cement pads—layer upon layer of concrete that had been stacked over the decades, slowly sinking and tilting toward the foundation.
It was a slow-motion threat to the integrity of the home. Before we could focus on the 'pretty,' we had to master the 'permanent.'
The Great Excavation What began as a routine deck removal quickly turned into a major excavation. With the help of neighbours and heavy machinery, we stripped away the past. We discovered that the ground had never been properly prepared for the scale of the lodge, and our mission became clear: we weren't just building a patio; we were re-engineering the way the house met the earth.
The Vision: 32 Feet of Purpose Rick envisioned a layout that mirrored the home’s expansive 'V' shape. We collaborated with a master concrete layer to pour a seamless, 32-foot-wide patio. This wasn't just a slab; it was a curated outdoor living space that included:

• The Main Promenade: A 32' x 5' expanse for gathering.
• The Private Access: A second entry point specifically for the bedroom wing.
• The Hot Tub Sanctuary: An integrated pad tucked perfectly into the 'inner embrace' of the boomerang.

The Final Flourish: Twinberry By 2018, the "Wrangler Brown" of the original exterior no longer matched the sophistication of our new stonework and concrete. We selected Behr’s 'Twinberry'—a deep, dramatic hue that provided the perfect contrast to the Jasper greenery and grounded the home’s massive silhouette.
Today, the back patio is more than just a place to sit; it is a testament to the fact that a home's beauty is only as strong as the foundation it rests upon.”
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THE OWNER’S EYE: "Rick identified the inward tilt of the concrete long before it became a crisis. In mountain architecture, water management is everything. This project saved the foundation for the next century."

The Next Evolution: From Pad to Pavilion "While the concrete pad was originally designed for a hot tub, the house had other plans. We realized that the 'inner embrace' of the boomerang deserved something more structural—an architectural anchor. We are currently transitioning this space into a custom [Gazebo], creating a sheltered 'outdoor room' that offers a new vantage point of the Jasper East wilderness. It’s about more than just a place to sit; it’s about framing the view."

A DECADE OF STRENGTH
​ "Rick’s vision for the structure and my eye for the finish finally clicked into place. We replaced a sinking liability with a permanent, 32-foot sanctuary that honors the silhouette of the lodge. It was our first major victory in the long game of stewardship—and twelve years later, it remains as steadfast as the day it was poured."