The Birdhouse will be taking flight this Spring. This trigenerational family compound will be the perfect nesting ground for a family with a large brood. The home is perched just outside of Salida, close to the Arkansas river. Our clients are excited to fly the coop as soon as possible and settle in to their new scrape!
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#birds #coloradoarchitecture #leadvillearchitect
Our home in Twin Lakes is a super low-energy home designed to fit lightly onto the sloping hillside and open to expansive views across the upper Arkansas valley. Rusted corrugated metal siding and a long, horizontal form align with the topography while large triple-pane windows and generous overhangs optimize natural light and shading. The folded roofs mimic the mountain forms found in every direction around the home.
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🔨 @kipconstruction
🪟 @alpenhpp@aebuildingsystems
📷 @thevandesar
#highperformancehouse #twinlakes #leadvillearchitect #coloradoarchitect
We are in for permit on our newest single family home in Lake County, Colorado! Swipe to see how this project went from site analysis to final design. We look forward to breaking ground on this one very soon with our one of our trusted builders, @kipconstruction !
Our Mt Elbert Cabin is modeled after a traditional hytte which is a Norwegian term for a small cabin or recreational cottage. It is deeply rooted in Scandinavian culture as a rustic retreat for disconnecting and enjoying nature. Often located in mountains, woods, or by the sea, they are used for hiking, skiing, and relaxation. This getaway was designed with specific outdoor rooms and is intentionally low maintenance and resilient for it's rugged location.
🔨 @kipconstruction
🪟 @pivotwindows
📷 @thevandesar
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#leadvillearchitect #coloradoarchitect #highperformancehomes
Our cozy little bothy finally got it's 8.8 kw solar array up and is well on its way to being net zero for the year. While we are out and about, we couldn't resist getting a few more shots of this great project in the snow!
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🔨 @hammerwell_inc
#coloradoarchitect #twinlakesco #sustainablearchitecture #leadvillearchitect #coloradoarchitect
We're thrilled that the @blufflakenaturecenter opened its doors to the public this week with their new Community, Education and Staff building! Saturday's grand opening was truly special. Hundreds of local community members, nature lovers, and supporters enjoyed how the project has created a gateway to nature through the accessible ramp, stair system, and public spaces. We're so grateful to Bluff Lake and the whole team for making the project such a success!
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#blufflakenaturecenter #denvercolorado #denverarchitect #denverarchitecture
We are having fun working with our friends at @studiosuperbloom on a new project in Boulder County. The owners have a vision for a working farm, that will simultaneously heal the land and make it more productive. When seamless integration of buildings and site is the goal, a true collab with partners like @studiosuperbloom is critical!
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#landscapearchitecture #designpartners #coloradoarchitect
We’re happy to announce another one of our projects just received Passive House Design certification from PHIUS! The simple geometry of the building form echoes the nearby Flatirons while creating a light-filled, ultra comfortable, and net-zero home. Construction will begin soon - stay tuned for updates!
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#passivehouse #coloradoarchitecture
@bauenbuild@passivehouseinstituteus@enersign.north.america@ne_projects
We're coming to the end of schematic design for two libraries in Garfield County. We're excited about the potential to increase natural light and create a more generous and inspiring public space, at the existing Silt Branch Library. So far it has been wonderful working with the Garfield County Library District. Stay tuned!
Swipe to see what's existing.
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#westernslopecolorado #coloradoarchitect #architecturalwhitemodel
We had an outstanding group of nominees this year, and it is with great pleasure that we reveal the winners of CGBG’s 2025 Annual Awards! Join us in celebrating the exceptional individuals and projects that have truly stood out in their respective categories.
Colorado Green Building of the Year
Colorado River Retreat
The Green Building of the Year Award is given to celebrate the most innovative, well-designed and beautifully constructed sustainable building located in Colorado and was designed or built by a Colorado firm.
Nestled in Colorado’s beautiful Western Slope, this home is a restorative retreat that embraces its incredible setting along the Colorado River and the character of the region, while minimizing impact on the site and the greater environment. The project replaced a house that was in poor condition and failed to celebrate the property’s striking river views. The clients’ primary goal was for their home to become part of the scenery: a place where they could sit and create, enjoy an open-air lifestyle, and entertain friends and family.
The design is shaped by both climate and site. The north-south orientation is ideal for the high-desert climate, and large south overhangs create shaded exterior spaces while blocking summer sun. South-facing, triple-pane windows maximize daylight and natural ventilation. Most of the existing foundation was retained and integrated, saving approximately 1,872 kg CO2e - enough for a flight from Denver to Tokyo and back. Local stone from the site was reused in the landscape, reducing transportation emissions. Passive strategies - including high-performance windows, continuous exterior insulation, above-code roof R-values, a wood-burning stove for outage resilience, and awareness of drought and wildfire risk - ensure long-term adaptability. Open-air connections and night-sky visibility deepen daily engagement with the land.
Architecture and Interiors:
@shape_architect
Morgan Law and
Maggie Wohljen
Builder:
@willow_wind_construction
Jesse Zacher
Structural + Forensic Engineer: @knottlab
All photographs by @thevandesar
#architecturalphotography #sustainablearchitecture #greenbuilding
We're so honored to have won the @thecgbg Green Building of the Year Award. We are humble and grateful - there were so many incredible projects nominated this year that deserved the recognition and we're proud to be able to work alongside such amazing colleagues that are so dedicated to sustainability!
We strive to work on projects that delight, sustain, and give back. This would not have been possible without the incredible work done by @willow_wind_construction .
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#coloradoarchitect #passivedesigns #sustainablearchitecture #palisadecolorado
