Art Barn Aspen: Sustainable Alpine Gallery
Many of R+B’s projects enjoy spectacular views, and this one, with its panorama of Aspen’s peaks and slopes, is no exception. Yet as regards the world past the windows, Art Barn remains unique. So compelling is the interior that the vista becomes a backdrop. The irony is that the architecture could not be more spare.rnrnOur clients, whose world-class art collection includes not only wall-based works but also sound and video installations, required an environment in which to showcase new pieces. Additionally, the couple needed a place to host get-togethers and events: a combination art and music venue, think tank, and salon. What they had in mind was a rural structure – an ‘intimate and understated, vernacular idea,’ says Rowland.rnrnThe outcome is a 113-foot-long gable form, topped by a corrugated zinc roof and clad in charred cedar. The front door is signaled by a split rock welcome mat set into the cobblestone motor court and a screen composed of horizontal wood slats, but the façade remains deliberately nonhierarchical: there are four identical sliding glass panels that permit entry into the house at different points along the front elevation.rnrnArt Barn’s interior continues this commitment to the pristine: the sustainable palette is limited to oak, plaster, limestone, and concrete. On the main floor, comprising a great room, video gallery, office, kitchen, and primary suite, eighteen-inch-thick walls allow for oversized pocket window and doors systems. Sixteen-inch-wide wood plank floors align with walls to provide total precision; outlets, switches, and solar shades are tucked away, so as not to distract from the overall experience. On the lower level, the province of two additional discreet bedroom suites and more gallery space, the poured-concrete foundation wall is exposed and finished, creating an expanse of utilitarian elegance.rnrnThe project’s surprise component is our interpretation of a traditional Japanese tea room, tucked away behind the lower-level video gallery, its full-height sliding-glass corner doors opening the space to an Asian-influenced mountain garden. Consultation with tea masters from University of Kyoto informed the sourcing of traditional Japanese materials, including sliding doors with hand-made shoji inlay, western red cedar paneling, Arakabe plaster walls, and hand-made tatami mats,rnrnIf the tea room extends the everyday into the realm of the spiritual, the same might be said of R+B’s design. Our consideration of even the most inconsequential elements, their contribution to the whole, inspires an unusual level of avid attention. The view is always available. But the serenity and simplicity of the interior prompts an awareness of the moment that only deepens with time and experience.
u003ch5u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eProject Completionu003c/spanu003eu003c/h5u003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e2018u003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003ch5u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eProject Sizeu003c/spanu003eu003c/h5u003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e6,200 SF (0.9 AC)u003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003ch5u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eProject Awardsu003c/spanu003eu003c/h5u003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e2020 u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAmerican Institute of Architects Colorado – u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAward of Meritrnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e2019 International Interior Design Association – BESTawardrnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e2019 Colorado Homes u0026amp; Lifestyle – CARE Awardrnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e2019 International Design Awardrnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e2018 American Institute of Architects Colorado – Best Custom Residentialrnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e2018 Interior Design Magazine – Best of Yearu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003ch5u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003ePublicationsu003c/spanu003eu003c/h5u003ernu003ch6u003eu003ca href=u0022https://a.co/d/gAaAPLWu0022u003eDesigning Aspen The Houses of Rowland+Broughtonu003c/au003eu003c/h6u003ernu003ch6u003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.phaidon.com/monacelli/interior-design-and-decorating/rocky-mountain-modern-contemporary-alpine-homes-9781580935791/u0022u003eRocky Mountain Modern: Contemporary Alpine Homes by John Gendallu003c/au003eu003c/h6u003ernu003ch6u003eu003ca href=u0022https://aspiremetro.com/mountainous-getaway-in-aspen/u0022u003eAspire Design and Home: A Seductive Mountainous Getaway In Aspen Informs A Collector’s Choices For Art And Designu003c/au003eu003c/h6u003ernu003ch5u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eR+B Servicesu003c/spanu003eu003c/h5u003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eArchitecturernu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eInterior Architecturernu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eRenderings u003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003ch5u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eCollaboratorsu003c/spanu003eu003c/h5u003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eLandscape Architect: Shannon Murphyrnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eLighting Design: Elumenaternu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eStructural Engineer: KLu0026amp;Arnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eMEP Engineer: Resource Engineering Grouprnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eCivil Engineer: High Country Engineeringrnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAudio/Visual: Paragonrnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003ePhotographer: Lisa Romereinrnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003ePhotographer: Brent Mossrnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003ePhotographer: Joshua McHughrnu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ernu003ch6u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eContractor: Hansen Constructionu003c/spanu003eu003c/h6u003ernu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e