Snowmass Village, Colorado
The rise of remote work has accelerated migration to rural resort communities, placing increasing pressure on fragile landscapes and shared infrastructure. Conventional development – defined by large building footprints and car-dominated systems – often diminishes ecologies, walkability, and social life. Set on one of the last undeveloped parcels in Snowmass Village, The Havens offers a different approach. An enclave of ten LEED Platinum homes replaces conventional hillside development with a people first model that prioritizes shared space, pedestrian movement, and daily engagement with the landscape. By removing driveways from the front door experience and restoring a native aspen meadow at the heart of the site, the project reshapes how residents move, gather, and connect.
Inspired by the U.S. Forest Service’s Built Environment Image Guide, modern alpine architecture is grounded in regional character and natural materials, allowing buildings to sit comfortably within a restored alpine landscape. Parking is discreetly tucked below grade, roads give way to landscaped pathways, and over twenty percent of the site is reclaimed from vehicular use and returned to open space. Native planting replaces traditional lawns, reducing water use by seventy five percent while supporting pollinators and long-term habitat continuity. Over time, new aspens will mature to connect the site seamlessly with the surrounding grove, reinforcing a sense of refuge and belonging. By prioritizing community experiences, The Havens sets a new standard for resilient mountain development, demonstrating how landscape architecture can help communities grow thoughtfully, sustainably, and with care for place.
Award of Excellence, World Landscape Architecture Awards
Merit Award, Colorado ASLA
East West Partners
Architecture: Lake Flato Architects
Civil Engineering: Sopris Engineering
Contractor: Shaw Construction
Contractor (Landscaping): GH Daniels
Energy Consultant: Energy Logic
Lighting Designer: Innovative Lighting Consultants
MEP Engineer: BG Buildingworks
Structural Engineer: KL&A Structural Engineering