Listed: Pristine Original Features in a Boise Triangle

Built by architect Art Troutner, the Phillips House is an icon among Boise midcentury architecture.

Introducing “Listed,” our newest monthly guest column featuring incredible midcentury homes that have just hit the market. To celebrate this new real estate column, we’re giving you a new listing every week in September with details and history straight from the listing agent.

Completed in 1959, The Phillips House is a singular piece of Boise history and a remarkably preserved example of architect Art Troutner’s genius. Designed by Troutner for Dr. John Phillips, a professor and head of the psychology at Boise State, and his young family, the Phillips family remained the only owners and stewards of the house until 2017. Save for the additions of a shop and detached mother-in-law suite, the house is almost entirely original.

A pristine exterior with an incredibly unique roofline, un-messed-around-with since 1959.

In classic modernist form, a rock garden is a beautiful and serene original feature.

Nestled in the shady, tree-lined streets of the Kootenai neighborhood and directly adjacent to Bowden Park, the home is all at once secluded and accessible. Every detail in the composition of this house, from the unique folded roof, to the highly organized post and panel wall systems, is entirely custom. Both exterior and interior are one of a kind.

The original features, from the flooring to the post-and-beam work, has been well cared for by the Phillips family, the only owners of the house.

A dramatic fireplace is a unique one among classic designs of the era.

The soaring triangular origami roof is remarkable even by Troutner’s standards. Dramatically perched in the sprawling lawn, zen garden, and mature landscape of the property, the house appears to effortlessly float in space.

The unique quality of the wood grain is showcased boldly in these sleek, original kitchen cabinets.

The spacious galley kitchen features custom pieces, like an attached breakfast bar and square wood drawer pulls.

Inside, the natural light pours in through large windows, immersing the residents in views of trees and garden, reinforcing the connection with the outdoors. Oriented around an iconic central stone replace, the floorplan and rooms all echo a triangular theme and boast warm, natural materials. Innovative and thoughtful details abound, including abundant storage, a sleek galley kitchen, and a charming child’s bedroom, designed for the Phillips’ twin boys.

The exterior roofline is on a prelude to the incredible vaulted ceilings, which showcase the gorgeous materials so associated with midcentury architecture.

With custom homes come custom features, such as this writing desk built in perfectly to one of the corners of this uniquely shaped home.

The bathrooms are all original and well taken care of—like this quaint circular sink and formica counter.

The quality, condition and character of this signature piece of architecture represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Troutner aficionados and midcentury enthusiasts alike: whoever takes this home off the market will certainly own a treasure.

The Facts:

4 beds

2.5 baths

2,640 square feet

Built in 1959

$599,000 asking

To learn more about this home or to schedule a showing, contact TJ Pierce at Mid-Century Homes by Moniker Real Estate, or call (208) 996-5759.

TJ Pierce is the founder and owner of Mid-Century Homes by Moniker Real Estate, a specialized niche market real estate team in Boise, Idaho, that helps folks make their midcentury dreams come true through buying, selling, restoring, renovating and preserving homes built in the ’50s and ’60s.