Building Like a Big Sky Local
by Stephanie Dennee
On the initial approach to Adams Construction Service’s most recently completed custom home in Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, 20 vertical feet of glass reflect an image of the club’s namesake peaks across the valley. The home’s northern elevation is a striking collection of forms—two shed roof sections with broad overhangs anchored by a Montana moss rock platform. The two large structures are connected by a smaller steel-wrapped stairwell section that promises equally stunning views. The entry to the home, opposite that expansive elevation, is, in happy contrast, a demure single story—a welcoming approach that invites guests to kick off their ski boots and take in the panorama that opens up to them at the front door. Once inside, reclaimed redwood accents highlight a modern, neutral palette. A striking fireplace featuring a natural cleft-edge flagstone hearth and rolled steel paneling creates a centerpiece for conversation in the great room.
Brooke Adams, the owner of Adams Construction Services, says the contrast in exterior elevations on this modern ski-in, ski-out retreat is intentional. “We wanted to make sure that the home’s main spaces—kitchen, living and dining rooms, as well as the master bedroom and garage—all lived on one level. So, from the main road, the drive wraps up and around the house to put all those spaces on a single upper level with garage access,” he says. The lower level of the home is devoted to space for guests, of which Big Sky homes often have many. Brooke adds, “It’s all about gathering with family and friends after getting outside. Not surprisingly, homeowners here become pretty popular with family and friends across the country, so our projects’ spaces for entertaining and hosting guests are central.” In this home, a recreation room and bar area finished with reclaimed redwood and steel walls is the hub for four additional bedrooms and a bunk room, all with ensuite baths for guests who will surely be eager to visit.
Brooke and his wife, Justa, know the role of a ski-town host well, having entertained their fair share of out-of-town guests since they first moved to Big Sky. The couple, who met in their home state of Florida, traveled cross-country nearly a decade ago with a penchant for adventure. On a leap of faith, they settled in Big Sky not long after. Brooke, who managed large-scale commercial construction projects in Florida, quickly climbed the steep learning curve of high-elevation, mountainside building to start his custom residential company in 2017. In terms of the current rapid growth in Big Sky, he talks about his place in the industry with an understated authenticity, “There are many, many companies building here today. I’m grateful to be a part of this talented industry. More than that, though, I’m grateful that we’re raising our family in this community and creating lifelong relationships here.”
The Adams Construction Services base of operations is located in the center of Big Sky, which is a relative rarity for the area, and it gives clients a logistical advantage and a truly local connection to the company. “From a project management standpoint, I’m typically no more than ten minutes away from any given site as opposed to an hour’s drive up the canyon from the Bozeman area,” Brooke says. Living in Big Sky also keeps Brooke tapped into the talented group of subcontractors in the area, which he prioritizes for work on their projects.
Beyond the site management benefits of being located directly in Big Sky, Brooke and Justa take pride in their connection to the Big Sky community. Brooke says, “Ultimately, for the people who live and work here year-round, Big Sky is a small town—one that has welcomed us so completely, and one that we want to give back to.”
“It’s all about gathering with family and friends after getting outside. Not surprisingly, homeowners here become pretty popular with family and friends across the country, so our projects’ spaces for entertaining and hosting guests are central.”
-Brooke Adams, Owner, Adams Construction Services
Many new Big Sky homeowners seek to remodel a recently purchased property. Adams Construction offers scalable services to fit a variety of renovation projects, from minor updates to modernize style to more extensive additions. For a Spanish Peaks Mountain Club remodel completed this summer, Brooke and his team converted unused attic space to add a bedroom, bathroom, loft, and office while updating the kitchen and living area finishes. Their client says, “We worked with Brooke on what was a complicated renovation of our home. He immediately understood the issues up front, patiently and clearly explained choices along the way, and ultimately delivered exactly what we wanted.”
Also located in the sought-after Elkridge section of the Spanish Peaks Mountain Club is another custom Adams Construction Services project that takes a transitional approach to mountain design. The home captures mountain views from nearly every room and balances large, open spaces for entertaining with intimate details. Traditional gabled rooflines and reclaimed coral board from Montana Reclaimed Lumber add western warmth to the clean lines and cool tones of the interior spaces.
“We worked with Brooke on what was a complicated renovation of our home. He immediately understood the issues up front, patiently and clearly explained choices along the way, and ultimately delivered exactly what we wanted.”
-Client, Adams Construction Services
For this project, which was sold toward the end of the construction process, finishing details were a joint venture with Abby Hetherington Interiors. In the chef-ready kitchen, a granite waterfall edge kitchen island overlooks the dining and living spaces, and a slate blue tile backsplash evokes the Montana skies.
A covered patio, accessed from the kitchen, offers ample outdoor seating options without compromising the Spanish Peaks view from inside. “It’s all about the view in this home,” Brooke says. “Building the outdoor space on the side of the kitchen allows that living room view to remain unobstructed by deck railings, furniture, and winter snow drifts.” In addition to mountain views and ski access, the home boasts custom wet bars both upstairs and downstairs for the ultimate après ski experience.
“It’s all about the view in this home. Building the outdoor space on the side of the kitchen allows that living room view to remain unobstructed by deck railings, furniture, and winter snow drifts.”
-Brooke Adams, Owner, Adams Construction Services
Next up for Adams Construction Services are a host of local projects, including remodels and a custom home on the private Spanish Peaks golf course. Brooke answers in his invariably down-to-earth tone when asked about moving into work beyond the Big Sky area. “Big Sky is where we want to live and where we want to work. We’ve met some great clients and want to work toward building more of those long-term client relationships here,” he says. In doing so, Brooke and the Adams Construction Services team are not only building beautiful custom homes in Big Sky, they’re also building local relationships and a life with deep roots at the base of Lone Peak.
