Located in a forest of aspen and fir, with stunning views of Maroon Creek, Roaring Fork, and Hunter Creek valleys, Mountain Retreat was designed for an Aspen neighborhood with strict architectural guidelines based on the design of 19th-century national park lodges. Both the client and R+B wanted a 21st-century house tailored to a contemporary family. Yet the architects recognized that the convivial character of a lodge was not incompatible with the social advantages of open-plan modernism. And not just in the public rooms, but the interstitial zones, which encourage the accidental and the unexpected.

To satisfy HOA guidelines, R+B deployed a traditional palette of stacked stone, rough-hewn wood siding, and standing-seam metal for the volumes visible from the street. The elevations not on public view, conversely, feature floor-to-ceiling pocketing glass walls, facilitating an indoor/outdoor experience in which exterior spaces, including a covered entertaining terrace and pool, welcome the family and embrace the incomparable surroundings. The site itself offered an even greater challenge, as the land was steeply sloped: 6-months were consumed constructing a monumental shoring effort to create a level building lot and the massive retaining wall on the property’s north side.

Within, R+B eschewed the usual primary bedroom, opting instead for a program of four ‘equal’ suites and a bunkroom. The self-contained character of these spaces – their well-equipped privacy, augmented by private terraces – makes for an appealing contrast with the communal areas. Regarding the latter, the architects placed unusual focus on the hallways and the grand stair: the halls are wide enough to be comfortably inhabited via seating nooks, and the stair remains an experience unto itself, floating between the three levels, affording views across a realm of changing moods and perspectives. These stand as zones of opportunity: of the unexpected sociability emblematic of the park lodges in their golden age, reinterpreted for a family in the present day.

Every material, furniture selection, and art placement was chosen as an extension of the architectural idea.

On Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest and colloquially known as “the gem of the San Juans,” this intimate 1,200 square foot “getaway” cottage is set on a forested site within a long-time family farm.

With the challenge of restoring and contemporizing the original structure while preserving its innate charm, the design team repurposed scalloped wood shingles and other exterior wood working details handcrafted by the owner-couple’s family. Multi-color siding was replaced for a more monochromatic aesthetic to draw focus to the natural surroundings.

Inside, a complete remodel is marked by the addition of sidelights flanking the new, repositioned wood front door, a custom live-edge walnut mirror, and a built-in bench with open cubbies. Beyond the centrally located open kitchen, complete with a quartzite topped walnut cabinet system and island, the main living area features extensive storage and library space. Ample seating offers plenty of room for settling in with a book and warming by the modern suspended fireplace.

Flooring throughout is durable large format porcelain tile, selected to withstand muddy Pacific Northwest dog paws and the area’s variable weather. Existing exterior cedar was repurposed/refinished and new matching cedar was specified for the living area ceiling and exterior soffits. Additional rooms include the main bedroom suite and a flexible guest suite.

A contemporary take on the Prairie Style of architecture, this modern masterpiece in an exclusive Denver neighborhood is designed to stand the test of time. The modern interpretation of the Prairie Style responds to the historic context of the neighborhood and the surrounding landscape, and also responds to the owner’s musical proclivity and passion. Architectural timelessness is achieved through attention to detail, high quality design and materials, along with expert execution and craftsmanship.

To emphasize the horizontal nature of the home’s design, the team chose a neutral stone palette for the wall surfaces and contrasted it with bands of deep bronze-colored metal. The use of sandblasted-smooth stone and rough cleft-face stone allows for variation of scale and texture, while its coursing emphasizes horizontal lines. The home’s singular fenestration, including floor-to-ceiling windows and doors punctuating the horizontal bands of the façade, was inspired by Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) wavetables. The end result is an enhancement of the home’s dramatic scale and indoor/outdoor living.

Prevalent during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and made popular by American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Prairie Style is characterized by use of horizontal lines, broad eave overhangs, flat or low-hipped roofs and high-quality materials. The strong horizontal nature of the structure evokes the expanse of treeless prairie that once dominated the vistas of the Western United States and allows for integration into the landscape.

R+B’s modern take on the Prairie Style reconciles the current-day demand for high ceilings, expansive windows and modern construction techniques with the historic style’s emphasis on craftsmanship, horizontality and sensitivity to the landscape.

Additionally, the landscape design grounds the residence within the established context and aesthetic of the surrounding neighborhood. The chosen planting palette includes mostly native plant species appropriate to the region. In lieu of colorful ornamental plantings, simple massing of ornamental grasses and low deciduous shrubs convey a modern complement to the Prairie Style of architecture.

1973 saw the construction of the final building in Aspen, Colorado by Bauhaus architect and designer Herbert Bayer. This building, known as the Boettcher Seminar Building, drew on an architectural language Bayer had been developing on the Aspen Institute grounds for over two decades, and was a culmination of the logic and democratic organization of spaces and experiences central to Bauhaus thought. Sadly, four decades of use took its toll on the interior and exterior and the building no longer lived up to its potential as a space to foster and facilitate ideas and relationships that could change the world.

The rehabilitation design goals began with seeking Landmark Designation to the Aspen Modern Inventory of historic structures. With this designation in mind, the team developed the primary design goal: to honor and respect the legacy of Herbert Bayer with a thoughtful restoration of the exterior and creative renovation of the interior to guide the building through the next four decades, with an emphasis on flexibility and innovation. Crucial to the entire work, the existing open-air central courtyard would need to be enclosed to provide greater year-round functionality and comfort.

Beyond the many technical challenges of preserving and rehabilitating the structure for modern use, the R+B Team faced the challenge of honoring the original design. To do this, new elements needed to share the existing building’s underlying principles and concepts but be distinct from them and of their own time. By carefully studying the existing building, R+B identified these features and tailored the new architecture to emphasize, contribute to, and enhance the existing building.

As a case study of this process, to enclose the central courtyard the team first studied the basic layout of the building. Organized on an 3×3 grid, the key spaces are arranged on two axes, oriented north-south and east-west, with the central courtyard at the intersection. The new roof structure, ceiling design, and pyramidal skylight align and emphasis these axes, creating a volumetric space in the center of the building where the visitor is naturally directed for a creative exchange of ideas. Large doors between the rooms along the north-south axis slide aside to unite the spaces into one, with a new “Creative Lab” anchoring the southern end of the axis, and break-out spaces arranged to the east and west, creating a dynamic flow of people and ideas.

The building received an extensive upgrade to all building systems. Thermal efficiency is increased by 300% through the addition of high-performance continuous insulation and new windows and doors. Mechanical system efficiency is approximately 70% better than the existing HVAC system. All interior light and plumbing fixtures are high efficiency and finishes are low-VOC and recyclable.

It is an honor to participate in the renovation of this important building and to increase its potential for collaboration, creativity and generation of ideas, all concepts that are fundamental to R+B as well. Moving forward, we anticipate a great working relationship with the Aspen Institute team to bring our mutual vision for the Boettcher Building to life. – Principal Sarah Broughton, AIA, NCIDQ

Many of R+B’s projects enjoy spectacular views, and this one, with its panorama of Aspen’s peaks and slopes, is no exception. Yet as regards the world past the windows, Art Barn remains unique. So compelling is the interior that the vista becomes a backdrop. The irony is that the architecture could not be more spare.

Our clients, whose world-class art collection includes not only wall-based works but also sound and video installations, required an environment in which to showcase new pieces. Additionally, the couple needed a place to host get-togethers and events: a combination art and music venue, think tank, and salon. What they had in mind was a rural structure – an ‘intimate and understated, vernacular idea,’ says Rowland.

The outcome is a 113-foot-long gable form, topped by a corrugated zinc roof and clad in charred cedar (shou sugi ban). The front door is signaled by a split rock welcome mat set into the cobblestone motor court and a screen composed of horizontal wood slats, but the façade remains deliberately nonhierarchical: there are four identical sliding glass panels that permit entry into the house at different points along the front elevation.

Art Barn’s interior continues this commitment to the pristine: the sustainable palette is limited to oak, plaster, limestone, and concrete. On the main floor, comprising a great room, video gallery, office, kitchen, and primary suite, eighteen-inch-thick walls allow for oversized pocket window and doors systems. Sixteen-inch-wide wood plank floors align with walls to provide total precision; outlets, switches, and solar shades are tucked away, so as not to distract from the overall experience. On the lower level, the province of two additional discreet bedroom suites and more gallery space, the poured-concrete foundation wall is exposed and finished, creating an expanse of utilitarian elegance.

The project’s surprise component is our interpretation of a traditional Japanese tea room, tucked away behind the lower-level video gallery, its full-height sliding-glass corner doors opening the space to an Asian-influenced mountain garden. Consultation with tea masters from University of Kyoto informed the sourcing of traditional Japanese materials, including sliding doors with hand-made shoji inlay, western red cedar paneling, Arakabe plaster walls, and hand-made tatami mats,

If the tea room extends the everyday into the realm of the spiritual, the same might be said of R+B’s design. Our consideration of even the most inconsequential elements, their contribution to the whole, inspires an unusual level of avid attention. The view is always available. But the serenity and simplicity of the interior prompts an awareness of the moment that only deepens with time and experience.

As part of a multi-program expansion of Hotel Jerome, an Auberge Collection and Aspen landmark for more than 125 years, the Rowland+Broughton design team restored the adjoining 1904 Aspen Times building and introduced Bad Harriet, an intimate underground speakeasy that serves as the project’s hidden centerpiece.

Named for Harriet Wheeler, wife of early Aspen developer Jerome B. Wheeler, the 55-seat cocktail lounge draws from the layered history of the site while offering a distinctly contemporary hospitality experience. The work began with the careful restoration of a structure that had been altered over time, returning clarity and integrity to its historic form.

In collaboration with TAL Studio, the interiors extend the building’s Victorian-era origins into a moody, refined atmosphere. Mirrored wall panels, polished accents, painted wood trim, and richly layered furnishings create a sultry intimacy, while a Bruna Terra leathered-stone bar brings weight and contemporary contrast. The result is a hidden destination that honors Aspen’s past while adding a memorable new layer to its hospitality culture.

R+B served as Architect for the 2011–2012 renovation of the Hotel Jerome, a landmark building in Aspen, Colorado, built in 1889 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Operated by Auberge Resorts, the historic hospitality icon is a beloved gathering place for locals and travelers alike, home to The Living Room, Prospect Restaurant, The Library, and the iconic J-Bar.

The scope of work encompassed core & shell and fit-out improvements across hotel rooms, public spaces, and support areas — a comprehensive effort to modernize the building’s infrastructure and guest experience while preserving its historic character.

The project was recognized with five awards in 2013, including the ASID Crystal Award for Hospitality, the ASID Crystal Judges Merit Award for Commercial, the City of Aspen Historic Preservation Commission Award for Renovation, the IIDA Merit Award for Play, and was named a Hospitality Design Award Finalist.

Lookout House, a grand dwelling enjoying sweeping views of Aspen’s Elk Mountains, occupies the footprint of the owners’ previous residence and is roughly the same size. But in its responses to the character of the location and the needs of the residents, Lookout House could not be more different from its predecessor.

The site overlooks a dramatically down-sloping meadow that, as it is densely forested on each side, remains invisible to the neighbors. Given the circumstances, we perceived two opportunities: to make the house a portal to the meadow, and to maximize the building’s visual engagement with its surroundings.

Regarding the former, R+B chose to directly connect the north-facing entry façade to the house’s southern elevation, which overlooks the view. An axis beginning at the covered entry, and continuing through the overscaled pivoting front door, extends directly through the house to a pocketing glazed panel on the south facade, a window that opens onto a mountain-filled vista and, a few steps below on the deck, a copper spa pool.

As for the latter challenge—capturing the slope—we set the secondary rooms on the lower level and the primary spaces upstairs, where they enjoy views that, beginning far below at the bottom of the meadow and traveling up to the mountain peaks, are pleasurably commanding.

Unusually for Aspen, a place in which the mountain-lodge vernacular predominates, the house’s sensibility is akin to the modernist grandeur of postwar urban architecture. Given the abundance of the owners’ contemporary art holdings, the choice remains entirely appropriate. If there is a dominant design motif, it is horizontality: Floating planes and layered plinths transform in function and character as they slip from space to space, defining rooms as discrete entities and uniting them into a single interlocking experience.

Various of the design’s qualities support an innovative way of enjoying a near-museum scale collection in a relaxed domestic setting. The first is a high level of visual connectivity from room to room and floor to floor. Lookout House is also made welcoming by the fluidity of its palette, which morphs from concrete to oak to limestone to leather as it flows from space to space, connecting to the house’s exterior materials and the natural world beyond. Above all the dwelling conveys an overwhelming sense of craft. ‘Everything in this house was custom-designed,’ Broughton observes. ‘Not only did we design the beds, we even made the pillows. It was an incredible opportunity.’

Replacing a beloved building with a new version – one that doesn’t disappoint those who remember, and were fans of, the original – remains one of the most interesting, and tricky, of design opportunities. How do you protect and preserve and, at the same time, advance and innovate? That was the challenge when R+B was selected to resurrect the Rusty Parrot Lodge, an iconic Jackson, Wyoming luxury inn that had been destroyed by fire. The owners were determined to recapture the eccentric flavor that popularized the original – even as they recognized the need to contemporize the design (and make it code-compliant), improve the lodge’s amenities, and render the entirety a model of sustainability.

The site, at the convergence of the town grid and its rural surroundings, suggested a complementary architecture, at once urban and indebted to regional traditions. Inspired by the great lodges of the historic west, the wooden, three-story gabled structure emerges from low stone walls suggestive of a preexisting artifact, a seductive interweaving of past and present. Compliance with the town’s zoning standards influenced the inclusion of private porches and communal balconies – the latter named The Perch and the Wildlife Deck – which allow the building to taper in mass and scale while generating an undulating rhythm of solids and voids that, not least, affords an embrace of a spectacular setting comprised of mountains, valleys, wildlife, and parklands.

On the exterior, the inclusion of a porte-cochère ensures that arriving guests enter the lodge while entirely protected from the region’s inclement weather. Within, the owners expressed a commitment to preserving the old Parrot’s warm domestic character, famously reinforced by the seductive scent of on-site baking. In response, R+B crafted a commanding grand stair – the new interior’s defining feature – which, in addition to connecting the lodge’s three floors and encouraging collective conviviality, draws the aromas upward, infusing the entirety with the pleasurable presence of home cooking.

R+B’s embrace of sustainable practice includes an open-loop ground-source heat pump, geothermal cooling via a subterranean natural aquifer, and advantageous siting driven by optimal solar access. Subterranean parking reduces the site’s visual footprint, and enabled the construction of a tranquil south-facing garden revealing panoramic views and warmed by the sun.

A central theme of the project was a sense of discovery, a philosophical underpinning of the original lodge. Accordingly, a series of ‘found moments,’ which encourage guests to explore the environment in comfort, are nested in the design; the experience is reinforced by a new spa, the gourmet Wild Sage restaurant (featuring a homespun open kitchen), and a double-sided fireplace shared by the domestic-scale lobby and barroom. Natural and local materials, migrated from the exterior into the décor, craft a subtle merging of the lodge and its surroundings.

The new Rusty Parrot bridges old and new, urban and rural, rustic and refined, and home and hospitality. The outcome brings back a lost legacy and – better still – sets the stage for the making of new memories.

While renovating a building may seem to offer less opportunity than a blank slate, a considerable creative challenge is presented when the preexisting component is picturesque: a relic or ruin, ideally dating from a bygone, colorful age. Then, all manner of possibilities come into play, the most interesting being how the old might become part of something new: the structural and emotional interplay between the vivid past and the practical present.

Our design for Barn Studio, perched on a ridge with picturesque Aspen views, rings an interesting change on the idea of the new-old house. The original building appeared to be a remnant of a mostly collapsed, rubble-stone agrarian structure, reconceived as a residence via the insertion of contemporary living amenities. In fact, it was entirely modern, designed by its owner to resemble a clever meeting of modern life and the golden days of Colorado’s yesteryear.

R+B’s clients, a couple with three young children, purchased this folly and its surrounding acreage, seeing it as the cornerstone of a compound that would ultimately include a range of building types. The idea was to make it livable for five people while the other structures took shape, and to create a paradigm for building on the site, one that respected the area’s rural-agrarian history while extending that legacy into the future.

Barn Studio unfolds on three levels: a subterranean space incorporating media and game rooms; a double-height main floor, which we lightened and contemporized; and an L-shaped mezzanine that doubles as a sleeping loft and library. Although there are abundant reminders of the place as it was, notably a distinctive carved ram’s head motif, the design’s reimagining is at once more useful and more cheerful: a welcoming, offbeat hideaway – and elegant, fully-equipped crash pad for a family of five – that belongs to the past without being mired in it.

Of the two R+B-designed residences that followed Barn Studio on the property, says Broughton, ‘they’re informed by what we did here first. It’s all about stewardship – uniting the past with today’s processes while respecting and appreciating the people who were here before.’

Every material and furniture selection was chosen as an extension of the architectural idea.