Skier Chalet

Harkening back to Aspen’s earlier days, this quintessential tri-level mountain chalet is set in town’s historic West End neighborhood. Built in the 1960s and reminiscent of classic ski chalets prevalent in the area at the time, the traditional A-frame form both provided contextual character and presented singular design challenges.

Addressing the goal of embracing mountain views to the east and west, formerly thwarted by the structure’s north-south orientation, R+B repurposed and reconfigured underutilized space at the top level. Specially crafted dormers, purposefully placed to redirect views, feature perforated steel detailing that allows for naturally dappled light to be filtered inside. The dormers also enhance the livability of the chalet, allowing the main bedroom and bath to be tucked within the expanded private space.

A new open wood stair allows light to circulate throughout the home. In addition to the stair, custom detailing on elements such as wood ceilings give a nod to the vernacular of earlier ski chalets, while introducing a more modern aesthetic.

Connected to the house by a bridge at mid-level, a secondary structure on the site functions as a garage and provides office/yoga studio space. Exterior materials for both structures include dark vertical siding. Flat and standing seam metal roofing (with an intentionally lighter color at the dormers) allow the structure to recede into the surrounding trees. Outdoor spaces, including a deck off the upper bedroom and a sunken garden, allow additional light to flow into the home and encourage an indoor-outdoor lifestyle.