Design Solution: The architecture creates a serene silhouette against the alpine backdrop. A pale upper volume appears to float above a grounded base of rough-textured basalt stone—a nod to Aspen’s mining history that wraps both exterior and interior walls. This material continuity blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living, while guest quarters tucked below grade maintain a modest street presence, respectful of the quiet community.

Light is the true protagonist. Because the high-altitude sun can be intense, the design uses fritted glass panels and perforated screens to filter light, protecting sensitive artwork while illuminating the interiors. A glass-lined stairwell pulls sunshine deep into the house, ensuring it feels bright even in winter.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Smuggler is a high-performance machine. Operable windows encourage natural ventilation, while a discreet solar array and battery backup can power essential systems, including snow-melting surfaces, for several days. From the north-facing screens that retract to frame park views to circulation routes that double as display spaces, Smuggler is both a museum-quality backdrop for art and a deeply comfortable mountain retreat.

Photo © Joe Fletcher

Structure and Materials: A combination of concrete, steel, and wood structural systems support this three-story home. Due to the tight constraints of the lot, the engineers elected for micro-drilled pile shoring system that allowed the basement to hug the buildable footprint without impacting neighboring structures.

Additional Information
Completion date: March 2025
Total construction cost: Withheld
Client/Owner: Withheld

Photos © Joe Fletcher

Drawings courtesy Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects; click to enlarge