Transforming a small historic Victorian home into a minimalist mountain retreat, this adaptive reuse project brings together old and new to create a unique home at the intersection of Aspen’s historic downtown and adjacent residential neighborhood.
Our work began with the careful restoration of the historic home built by one of the original claimholders to Aspen Mountain. This intricate volume is expanded through its pairing with a minimalist two-story massing, and a connecting three-story below grade addition.
While the historic structure is a highly articulated Victorian jewel, the new volume stands in contrast as a quiet partner, playing a supporting role to the smaller scale and delicate detailing of the restored historic structure which anchors the corner of the site. Through a shared vocabulary of horizontal siding and gabled roof forms and contrasted through color and texture, these two elements live harmoniously together and speak to the rich history of Aspen’s past, while acknowledging and responding to contemporary expectations in residential design.
Planning for the residence, with its extensive below grade area, relied on the use of a sunken open-air courtyard on the first sublevel, around which all secondary bedrooms and a large central family room are arrayed. The second and third sublevels house spa and fitness activities and enjoy direct daylighting via an oculus in the courtyard. The ground floor of the new structure contains the master bedroom suite, with the historic structure serving as an adjoining guest house and office. The primary living space, with adjoining dining and kitchen areas, is located on the second floor of the new structure and enjoys unobstructed views of Red Mountain and Aspen Mountain.
In total, the design was able to meet the programmatic needs and aesthetic goals of a large family, while showcasing the restored historic Victorian home to the community.