portfolio

Modern mountain retreat residential design by MASTRIDICASA in Austin Ridge, Truckee

AUSTIN RIDGE MOUNTAIN RETREAT

A phased mountain retreat shaped around land, views, infrastructure, gathering, and long-term flexibility.

Set on 20 acres in Martis Peak Estates, this property had the scale, privacy, and view corridors to become more than a residence. The owner envisioned a place for family, friends, guests, and community — a mountain setting that could support recreation, gathering, quiet retreat, and year-round use.

MASTRIDICASA helped develop the master plan and design-build strategy for the first phase of improvements, including site circulation, infrastructure upgrades, an in-ground container pool, raised pergola platform, firepit and patio, outdoor kitchen and bar, sports courts, and pool barn/cabana.

The result is a retreat that feels expansive without feeling scattered — a property shaped for gathering, movement, and mountain life.

This design-build project garnered the 2024 CATT Award for Best Commercial Project.

AUSTIN RIDGE MOUNTAIN RETREAT

Martis Peak Estates Truckee California

NEW POOL HOUSE
IN-GROUND POOL
PERGOLA
EVENT SPACE

MASTER PLAN
DESIGN BUILD

Project Team

Designer:

MASTRIDICASA

Contractor:

CMJR Construction Inc

Structural Engineer:

Shear Force Engineering

Mechanical Engineer:

15000 Inc.

Interior Designer:

Owner

Photography:

Dave Donnelly / MASTRIDICASA

The property offered an extraordinary starting point: 20 acres of ridge-top land, long views, privacy, and an existing residence with a strong relationship to the landscape.

But the opportunity came with real site demands. Before new outdoor living spaces could take shape, the project team needed to understand the existing infrastructure, access, utilities, grading, circulation, records, previous permit documents, and the practical limits of construction on a mountain property.

The work began with careful observation, documentation, and planning. That early effort helped clarify what could remain, what needed to be upgraded, what needed to be replaced, and how each phase could support the larger vision for the property.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

MASTER PLAN VISION

Before ground was broken, the project team spent time walking the property, studying the land, and testing ideas in the field.

The owner had a clear vision for a retreat that could support family time, guest use, outdoor recreation, and larger gatherings. The challenge was not simply adding features. It was organizing them in a way that felt natural to the site and useful over time.

MASTRIDICASA developed a multi-phase master plan to help coordinate the improvements, infrastructure, views, circulation, staging, and construction sequence. Accurate 3D modeling became an important part of that process, allowing the owner and project team to study sightlines, relationships between features, grade changes, and the overall experience from multiple vantage points.

The goal was to make each improvement feel connected to the whole property — not like a collection of unrelated amenities.

This project depended on more than design intent. It required infrastructure, sequencing, and strong field coordination.

The first phase included generator installation, driveway paving, excavation for the in-ground container pool, site preparation, utility coordination, structural planning, and the early layout of outdoor gathering areas. Construction access, material staging, equipment movement, grading, and year-round mountain conditions all shaped the strategy.

Because this was a true design-build effort, collaboration with the contractor was critical. MASTRIDICASA modeled site features in 3D, studied views and spatial relationships, coordinated with consultants, and worked closely with the builder as conditions evolved in the field.

Good design-build work depends on clear communication, practical problem-solving, and respect for what the site reveals during construction.