Residential Gardens
Charlie Mountain Ranch
Old Snowmass, Colorado
Like many agricultural and ranch lands in the American West whose fate is tied to adequate water and constant upkeep, Charlie Mountain Ranch was a neglected property populated with ad hoc improvements, debris, noxious weeds and barren soils. Despite its unsightly appearance and unproductive landscape, remnants of its ranching heritage remained, including a century-old barn. Intrigued by the property’s conservation potential, the landowners set a course to rehabilitate and integrate the historic structure into a family homestead that reflects the beauty and history of its surroundings.
From the beginning, restraint—in design, development and construction—was key to success in this high-elevation, arid montane meadow and shrubland environment. As such, the design introduces a collection of understated, rustic structures and landscape interventions, each sited sensitively to assume a reciprocal relationship to the context. To improve wildlife forage and cover, dense oak stands were selectively thinned while supplemental plantings enriched woodland, meadow and riparian ecosystems. Unified by a curated palette of stone, the transformation reestablishes the character and values of this once-neglected site.
Services Provided: Site Analysis, Master Planning, Zoning & Land Use Approvals, Site Planning, Conceptual Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Permitting, Bidding/Negotiations, Construction Observation, Grading & Drainage Plans, Landscape Architecture, Lighting Design
Awards
- Honor Award for Residential Design, ASLA National
- Regional Award for Landscape Architecture, LUXE Residential Excellence in Design
- Honor Award for Residential Design, ASLA Colorado
- Land Stewardship Award, ASLA Colorado













Collaborators
Pearson Design Group, KL&A, North Fork Builders, Landscape Workshop