Laying the Groundwork: Construction & Floor Plan Strategy at Mid Canon Hideaway
Nestled in the rugged beauty of Montana’s Missouri River valley region, Mid Canon Hideaway is a private residential addition that embraces everything we love about mountain living—comfort, purpose, and a connection to the landscape. Perched above the Missouri River with expansive views and peaceful surroundings, this project is a reflection of our clients' desire to live simply, beautifully, and in tune with their beautiful countryside.
Image Source: Top Tier Construction
Every well-designed home starts long before the first coat of paint or final hardware install—it starts with a thoughtful plan. For the Mid Canon Hideaway, this meant careful consideration of the land, the flow between new and existing spaces, and how construction would support both durability and beauty for years to come.
Designing with the Land
The Mid Canon site is located on a quiet bluff overlooking the Missouri River Valley, surrounded by native grasses, wildlife, and ever-changing seasonal light. To honor the natural setting, we aligned the addition to take in views while maintaining privacy, comfort, and energy efficiency.
Image Source: Montana Interior Design
Breaking Ground
The construction phase began with meticulous grading and foundation prep. The contractor also served as the project manager, collaborating closely with Montana Interior Design to ensure all systems—including insulation, waterproofing, and site drainage—aligned seamlessly with our design. Given the remote location and Montana’s seasonal challenges, the contractor coordinated material delivery and scheduled work ahead of the snow season (October through February), helping to avoid delays and keep the timeline on track. Once the exterior shell was secured, the team transitioned to interior work. Because we used a monoslab foundation to tie into the existing home, plumbing locations had to be carefully planned and executed before the foundation pour to ensure accuracy and long-term functionality.
Key construction features included:
Conventional framing to match the original structure
Monoslab for a continuous flow from the original home into the addition
Exterior insulation upgrades for better performance
New composite deck and railing system to enhance outdoor living on the Missouri River view side of the house
Full exterior siding replacement to unify the old and new
Image Source: Top Tier Construction
Floor Plan Strategy
The floor plan for the addition includes:
A large entry/mudroom to serve as the family’s daily transition zone
A powder bath positioned off the main floor living room for guest access
A spacious bedroom suite with two walk-in closets, a large bathroom, double doors to a private patio with a hot tub
Optimized flow between new and old through matching interior doorways, materials selected to flow well from existing to new, and clear sightlines
Rather than isolate the addition, we focused on creating smooth transitions and maximizing natural light. Several new windows were added throughout the addition to enhance brightness and maintain a strong connection to the outdoors. The layout also ensures that the new bedroom suite flows easily from the existing home while maintaining privacy. A thoughtfully placed powder bath near the main floor living room serves guests conveniently, keeping the private areas of the home undisturbed.
Image Source: Montana Interior Design
Building for Longevity
With harsh winters and dry summers, homes in Central Montana need to be built with intention. We specified materials that would hold up to the elements and detailed framing, roofing, and ventilation systems to improve performance. Even small things—like orienting windows for light and privacy, or using composite decking that doesn’t splinter—play a major role in how this home will live over time.
Image Source: Montana Interior Design
Looking Ahead | Custom Storage | Mudroom
Next, we’ll dive into one of our favorite aspects of this addition: the custom mudroom and storage zones. It’s one of the hardest-working areas in the house, and the design reflects both functionality and style—Montana style.
Follow along every Tuesday morning for more updates from the Mid Canon Hideaway series.
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