Caju

Tucked into a densely wooded site in Teton Village, Wyoming, Caju House is a refined residential retreat designed by CLB Architects for a young family from Miami with Brazilian heritage. Located at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on one of the area’s last undeveloped parcels, the home was shaped by the desire to preserve the rugged alpine setting while creating a private, elevated living experience. Its name, Caju, refers to the cashew fruit in Portuguese and reflects both the family's roots and the warm, weathered character of the building’s materials.

Organized as a two-level structure raised on slender steel columns, the house lightly touches the land and avoids significant site disruption. The lower level contains utilitarian functions—garage, mudroom, and gym—while the upper level holds all main living spaces, including a kitchen, dining room, and living area, along with four bedrooms. Circulation is anchored by a custom-designed floating staircase in perforated stainless steel that connects the two levels with sculptural clarity. The design encourages seamless flow between interior and exterior zones, with metal-grate decks that wrap around the rear, weaving through existing aspens, and a front-facing deck extending from the kitchen to capture panoramic views of the valley.

Material selection is central to the home’s architectural expression. A weathered Corten steel façade gives the exterior a vibrant rust hue, both grounding it in the high desert terrain and nodding to the color of its tropical namesake. Inside, continuous surfaces of larch wood cover ceilings, walls, and millwork, creating a unified and warm interior palette. Concrete flooring introduces tonal weight and tactile contrast, while stainless steel details and custom furnishings lend a sense of precision and restraint.

Caju embodies CLB’s “Inspired by Place” philosophy, translating environmental sensitivity into architectural clarity. Through its elevated structure, honest materials, and calm interior environment, the home balances the simplicity of retreat with the complexity of terrain. More than a house, Caju is a quiet negotiation between landscape and living—minimal in footprint, yet deeply connected to the rhythms of its mountain setting.