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In a recent roundtable hosted at Rowland+Broughton’s Aspen studio, Founding Principal Sarah Broughton, FAIA led an open conversation on the evolving role of sustainability in luxury architecture. From material choices and building envelopes to regulation challenges and the promise of prefab, Sarah shared her perspective on designing timeless, high-performance homes that respect both the environment and the demands of discerning clients.
Thanks to the event collaborators and sponsors Paragon and Peak Projects!
The Shift in
Building Priorities
“When we first started here, our MEP budgets were 20%. Now they’re 35%, driven by climate change, air quality, and the need for more integration.”
– Sarah Broughton, FAIA
Meadow House
Prefab and the Future of Luxury Builds
“I hope in 10 years we’re looking at a massive luxury prefabricated market, building bespoke offsite, assembling in a year, and still creating timeless architecture.”
– Sarah Broughton, FAIA
Barn Studio
Client Partnerships
in Sustainability
“We don’t ask our clients if they want sustainable initiatives; it’s a given. The key is making it digestible, showing the ROI, and listening to their priorities.”
– Sarah Broughton, FAIA
Skier Chalet
Timeless Design
as Sustainability
“If you build to last and allow the iterative process to happen, you’re creating something that can stand for generations, like our own historic building from 1890.”
– Sarah Broughton, FAIA
Mesa Studio
Optimism and the
Architect’s Role
“Our job is to be optimists. We can actually change what’s happening in the world, and that belief carries through our teams and partners.”
– Sarah Broughton, FAIA
Rusty Parrot
Sarah’s perspective reframes sustainable luxury as more than an aesthetic choice; it’s a responsibility to innovate, educate, and build in ways that endure. Through collaborative processes, high-performance systems, and a belief in the power of design, Rowland+Broughton continues to shape spaces that honor both the client’s vision and the planet’s needs.
