Over and again, a word that arises in regard to R+B’s work is sustainability, most of all in our commitment to renovating rather than demolishing buildings, one of the greenest of architectural pursuits. Thus it was that at this existing alpine mountain house – which takes its name from the Thunderbowl ski run, its next-door neighbor on Aspen Highlands mountain – we thought, not of wiping the slate clean, but rather about what was essential.

On the exterior, edits were made to unnecessary architectural details and overly prominent window mullions, and new, purposefully positioned glazing in the living and dining rooms, kitchen, and guest bedroom drew the experience of the house outward to the majesties of Aspen. Yet the primary challenge lay in the overbuilt interior, with rooms that didn’t communicate and structural elements that interfered with light, views, and flow. The residence lacked the permeability that is R+B’s specialty, and we were intrigued by the prospect of releasing its potential.

A lounge off the living room, a few steps below the kitchen, was entirely walled off; we elevated it to the kitchen level and merged the two spaces, giving the lounge better light and linking it to the house’s larger social experience. The stairway between the first and second floors had been entirely enclosed; the enclosure was replaced with steel mesh, producing a visual connection between the two stories. New interior windows on the second floor offer views from a hallway down to the dining room. A remotely located guest bedroom/sitting room suite creates privacy for elders (and an elevator connecting all three levels makes access easier for all ages). Mountainside terraces and nooks extend the living experience to the outdoors, and a ‘ski-in/ski-out’ gear room provides access to the slopes.

The most difficult challenge lay in the second-floor primary suite, an ungainly bricolage of overbuilt rooms extending the house’s full width. R+B removed the structural clutter and crafted a soaring, shaped ceiling; part of an existing bathroom closet became a small office, secreted behind a hidden door; and a new dressing area joins the bedroom to the expanded, almost entirely glazed bath. What had been fussy and confusing is now comfortable, useful, and elegant in its organic simplicity.

Throughout the home, special attention was given to existing woodwork. A lightening of the overall palette included bleaching the original floors and ceilings to enhance texture. The introduction of lighter oak in certain areas purposefully emphasized the juxtaposition of old and new.

Injecting character and vitality into an existing house without gutting it requires a restraint born of humility, a recognition that even quotidian architecture can be distinctive. R+B, with judicious interventions, bestowed light, transparency, axiality, and an unmistakable overlay of pleasure, creating for a young family of four a true, lasting home.

Villa Verde began in the 1960s as a modest Mid-Century residence in Palm Springs’ Deepwell Estates neighborhood. While the architecture was understated, its real assets were already in place: mature gardens, generous outdoor rooms, mountain views, and a seamless relationship between house, climate, and landscape. Rather than overwrite these qualities, the design amplifies them—honoring Palm Springs’ design legacy while moving beyond nostalgia.

The project is primarily an interior transformation, shaped through atmosphere, materiality, furnishings, and use. Guided by the surrounding gardens and layered outdoor rooms, the interiors extend the landscape inward—colorful, relaxed, and attuned to the rituals of desert living.

The curation brings together contemporary Milanese furniture, textiles developed with female artisans in Mexico, Japanese ceramics, handcrafted objects, auction finds, and works from the owners’ Aspen collection. Each piece carries its own origin, yet together they form a cohesive, lived-in composition.

Villa Verde flourishes through the relationship of indoor and outdoor realms. Seamless decking connects rooms, terraces, poolside areas, and gathering spaces into a fluid sequence of experiences, while retractable awnings extend comfort and shade throughout the day. Handcrafted concrete benches embedded with Italian tile frame the entry, Jacopo Foggini A’Mare chairs animate the morning sitting area, and the south-facing dining and living deck becomes the natural center of evening life as the desert cools and the mountains gather the last light. The result is a sophisticated home designed for ease, movement, conversation, retreat, and daily pleasure.

At Villa Verde, indoor and outdoor life is continuous. Seamless decking links rooms, terraces, pool, and gathering areas into a fluid sequence, while retractable awnings extend shade and comfort throughout the day. Handcrafted concrete benches inset with Italian tile mark the entry, Jacopo Foggini A’Mare chairs define the morning sitting area, and the south-facing deck becomes the center of evening life as the desert cools and the mountains hold the last light. The result is a home designed for ease, movement, conversation, and daily ritual.

Named for the many shades of green embedded in its décor and for its deep connection to the lush life of the garden, Villa Verde acknowledges the chrysalis of history while proposing a more individual and contemporary expression of desert modernism. Rooted in Palm Springs but not confined by its visual orthodoxies, the home becomes a colorful, international, and highly personal oasis on the other side of tradition.

The essence of Meadow House, so named for its siting on an expansive Aspen greensward ringed by evergreen, spruce and scrub oak, lies in the idea of the threshold: between separation and connection, public and private, interior and exterior, architecture and design.

On the main floor, from the entry to the living area to the library/dining room, the sense is of a grand loft space, Scandinavian in its material simplicity, with eleven-foot ceilings and enormous, view-embracing glazed walls. Yet each space retains its own special character: if the overall experience is holistic, the rooms remain distinct and discrete.

Meadow House’s permeability is especially seductive, and particularly evident in the second-floor primary suite, which features the design’s iconic moment: a windowed agrarian gabled form, that ‘peels upward’ as it moves the full length of the rooms, revealing progressively more of the panoramic view. Here the threshold lies between the interior and the great outdoors, one dissolving into the other in a subtle, exquisite unfolding.

A separate greenhouse, designed for a year-round edible garden and to provide a farm-to-table learning opportunity for the family, offers an additional layer of experience. The greenhouse acts as a viewing machine, offering a different, no less dynamic perspective on the meadow, mountains, and the great western sky.

Meadow House also evinces a compelling sense of craft, exemplified by The Haas Brothers’ remarkable double-sided fireplace, commissioned for the project and custom-forged in Portugal. This, and other such moments, invest a capacious residence with the appealingly intimate presence of the hand.

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

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

The first objective was to create a modern indoor/outdoor space which pays homage to the natural landscape. Westcliffe is situated on 35-acres with breathtaking views in all directions. The goal for the remodel was to keep the original foundation intact, yet redirect the living spaces to focus on the views, thus blurring the lines between the interior and exterior world. The second objective was to create a modern home for an active, modern family. As a family of six with staff and numerous house guests, the client required a functional home built with practical, livable materials.

The home’s program was flipped 180 degrees to re-focus on the views. The entry and garage were relocated, opening the rear of the house to the untouched wilderness of the Lenado Valley. Custom sliding glass wall panels open onto comfortable patios eliminating the boundaries between outside and in. Exterior reflecting pools extend the viewfrom the foreground to the distant peaks providing tranquility to an otherwise busy lifestyle. The simple and rational floor plan meets the needs of an active family by flanking the upper level of the house with a private master suite and a family wing which are connected by several large communal gathering spaces. The program also includes his and her private offices, a media/rec room, and guest suites.

Materials such as porcelain tile, stainless steel cabinetry, and integral-color concrete countertops allow the family to live, work, and play without restraint. The interior décor echoes the simplicity of the architecture, while evoking a sophisticated comfort accented with antiques of indigenous cultures. The color palette is neutral and consistent, and the furnishings are without frills or unnecessary decoration. The design and landscape provide a canvas backdrop for this vibrant family to fill with their personal experiences.

Westcliffe is set on a bucolic, 35-acre site with epic views of Aspen’s ski mountains and the lush Lenado Valley to the north. The original project, completed by R+B in 2010, included a phased design approach that planned for flexibility to accommodate the family’s growing needs. The first phase transformed a traditional, non-site specific 9,700 SF home into a 14,500 SF modern resort inspired residence. The home’s program was flipped 180 degrees to re-focus on the views that surround the house on all sides.

For further enjoyment of the property, the second phase encompasses a stone path that meanders along the cliff from the existing house to an expansive patio with a pool and spa positioned to capture valley views through carefully planted trees. At the end of the patio, a new 500 SF pavilion features a flat roof and glass walls that blur the boundaries between inside and out, and which complement the orientation and program of the original home. Windows within the pavilion reveal the Elk Mountain Range beyond. Custom designed furnishings in neutral tones further enhance the modern design.

Set in a prime location at the base of Aspen Mountain, this long-loved vacation townhome underwent a full upgrade to accommodate a multi-generational family.

At three stories and with a loftlike Soho Club vibe, the upper level features a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and skylights. Kitchen, dining, and multiple seating groups for gathering, lounging, reading, and working open onto a balcony overlooking town and the mountain views. An expanded open stair with a new glass guard rail allows natural light to filter down to levels below, which encompass a trio of primary suites and a bunk room. An elevator provides easy access between levels.

The remodel was completed in close collaboration with Bradley Stephens of New York-based Stephens Design Group. A complementary exterior remodel included updating and staining windows and refinishing wood soffits.

The Jacquard Hotel, Denver, Colorado

Cherry Creek North has long set the tone for Denver’s most discerning dining, and Narrative, located within The Jacquard, an Autograph Collection Hotel, was designed to become its newest essential gathering place. Urban, sleek, and genuinely inviting, the 3,500 square foot restaurant speaks directly to a younger, forward-thinking clientele that expects both sophistication and energy from its surroundings. Rowland+Broughton’s interior design concept meets that expectation with precision bringing something fresh, timeless, and wholly attuned to a neighborhood thriving with locals who know exactly what they want from a room.

The design takes its cues from the space itself. High ceilings and an open, indoor-outdoor floor plan create a sense of expansiveness that R+B leaned into rather than corrected, allowing abundant natural light to animate the interior throughout the day. To ground that generosity of scale, the team layered in a palette of rich, considered materials. Magma herringbone mosaic tile flooring and white-stained European oak establish warmth and pattern underfoot, while Elegante marble slab at the banquettes and wainscoting lends a polished, residential quality to the dining room. At the bar, a pewter-colored coating introduces an industrial edge that keeps the space from tipping too formal, and WhisperSpan ceiling treatment addresses acoustics without compromising the room’s open character. Custom light fixtures suspended from the interior columns serve as both functional anchors and sculptural moments, drawing the eye upward and reinforcing the vertical drama of the space.

Circulation and flexibility were as central to the design as any material choice. The full program moves seamlessly from restaurant seating and bar atmosphere to a wine room stocked with over 750 bottles, private dining options, and a 5,735 square foot rooftop that opens the venue to Cherry Creek’s energy and Colorado’s abundant sky. Together, the two levels create a destination that serves an intimate weeknight dinner as naturally as it hosts a large-scale social event with comfort and connectivity woven into every decision.

Situated at the base of Aspen Mountain within The Little Nell hotel, Ajax Tavern has defined après-ski culture in Aspen since its opening in 1989. One of more than 20 collaborations between Rowland+Broughton and Aspen Skiing Company over the past decade, this recent refresh builds upon an initial R+B renovation in 2007, deepening the tavern’s character while positioning it for the demands of a new generation of guests.

The renovation addresses both present needs and long-term operational flexibility. A new corner entry improves circulation and strengthens the restaurant’s presence along the gondola plaza, drawing guests naturally into the heart of the bar and reinforcing the communal atmosphere that has made Ajax Tavern a beloved Aspen institution. The original entry is retained for seamless service access between the patio and dining room.

Inside, flexibility was paramount. Existing booths and banquettes were preserved and complemented by a new central, divisible banquette set on casters, allowing the space to be swiftly reconfigured for private events and larger groups. A lightened color palette brightens the interior, while caramel-colored leather Sling Bar Stools by Industry West, natural light oak tabletops, and a custom mirror hung by leather straps animate the space with warmth and movement. A higher banquette along the rear wall offers elevated views over the main dining room and is among the best seats in the house.

Handcrafted details throughout reflect a distinctly Colorado sensibility. Custom banquette upholstery by Aspen Upholstery transitions from leather to fabric; matte black pendant fixtures with brass interiors and leather accents punctuate the ceiling; and handcrafted Industrial Glass tiles from Decorative Materials define the rear dining room wall and semi-open kitchen. Black leather Sling Barstools at the blackened steel bar and community table, along with sustainable Interface carpet, complete the interior and keep the interior practical for ski boots, while warm in atmosphere.

Glamorous yet relaxed, the sun-soaked terrace beside the Silver Queen Gondola is a front-row seat to the theater of Aspen Mountain and the backdrop for one of the most sought-after social scenes in town. Tuuci dual cantilever umbrellas cast generous shade over Outdoor Euro dining chairs, creating an alfresco setting that moves fluidly from leisurely mountain-view lunches to the festive, communal energy of the daily après crowd. As the lifts wind down and skis lean against the railing, the patio holds the ritual that has anchored Ajax Tavern for more than three decades.

The White House Tavern is operated by Hillstone Restaurant Group and located on a prominent street corner in Aspen. The miner’s cabin was originally constructed in 1883 and is a historic landmark in the City of Aspen including two historic buildings and the alley shed also on site.

R+B worked extensively with the City of Aspen Historic Preservation Commission to restore and rehabilitate these structures which earned R+B and Hillstone the 2014 Historic Presentation Commission Award for Renovation.

The interior fireplace was kept in its original location within the cabin. The interiors are warm and inviting, with reclaimed wood floors, an exhibition kitchen, wood paneled walls and banquette style seating. A sensitive and complementary modern brick addition on the backside of the cabin houses the exhibition kitchen. The new brick patio and landscape pay homage to the scale of the building.

The name says everything about where this restaurant is rooted. Element 47, silver on the periodic table, is a nod to the mineral veins that first brought prospectors to Aspen’s mountains in the 1880s. That heritage of discovery and refinement runs through every aspect of the dining room that Rowland+Broughton designed inside The Little Nell hotel.

The design marked a deliberate rebrand and a fresh aesthetic that signaled a new chapter for one of Aspen’s most lauded dining destinations. Serving as architect of record alongside collaborators Bentel & Bentel Architecture Planning Design and KGM Architectural Lighting, R+B established a sleek, modern architectural framework calibrated to complement the sophistication of both the culinary and wine programs, then carefully tempered it with warmth. Wood accent screens, upholstered banquettes, a refined lighting system, and acoustical wall and ceiling panel treatments layer texture and intimacy into the space while ensuring the room feels as considered as what arrives at the table.

The AIA Colorado West Chapter recognized the project with an award for design excellence at its annual gala in Snowmass Village, with the jury describing Element 47 as “a smooth understatement … spaces have been carefully broken down into intimate sitting areas; the restaurant is both grand and comfortable.” It is a precise summation of the balance R+B sought from the outset.

Element 47 is Aspen’s benchmark for fine dining. Recognized by the Michelin Guide and a perennial pillar of The Little Nell’s rare Five-Star, Five-Diamond distinction, one of only a handful of properties in the world to hold both designations simultaneously, year after year. The menu is Colorado Contemporary in spirit with local wagyu, house-made pastas, and seasonal produce guided by what the landscape offers and plated with genuine intention. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an all-day bar menu ensure the restaurant moves fluidly through the rhythms of a mountain day, from unhurried morning light to the glow of a long evening at the table.

The wine program is a destination in its own right. Built with care, depth, and a sense of discovery, it earned Element 47 recognition as a 2026 Silver Star winner by Star Wine List, a distinction reserved for the world’s finest wine restaurants and was honored for Best Long Wine List with more than 600 references including Best Austrian Wine List, Best Italian Wine List, and Best Sparkling Wine List. It is a collection that rewards curiosity, and a fitting complement to a kitchen that takes its sourcing just as seriously.