Most Popular Architectural Styles in Aspen


Look out for these luxurious elements around the city

It’s not just the people, restaurants, and things to do that make an area unique. It’s the buildings and homes, too. Here in Aspen, we are known for gorgeous houses and establishments that embody a rich history of legendary design. Impress your friends and family by being in the know about different models, arrangements, and compositions around this beautiful city. 
 

Victorian 

Victorian architecture is what many associate Aspen with in some way or another because the striking and charming style has been around for decades. Although there are more and more modern buildings, you’ll find many of these historic structures in the West End. You’ll see anything from cottages to mansions.
 

Pan Abode

Pan Adobe, also known as Rustic, has a fascinating history. This style was developed in the 1950s after World War II, when the West was highly romanticized due to cultural icons such as The Lone Ranger and Davy Crockett. More and more Americans began migrating this direction and began purchasing Pan Adobe do-it-yourself kits, which allowed them to build their very own homes from scratch with logs and wood at a lower cost than buying a house. Later they became vacation homes, and this is where the mountain ski lodge style comes from. This style boasts a wooden, cedar aesthetic with triangular low-pitched, gabled roofs, grid-like windows, and shutters. They often have a single pop of color on the wooden roof and window trimmings.
 

Bauhaus

Aspen has embraced Bauhaus, a contemporary style that distinguishes Aspen from other mountain towns across the country. Wanting to maintain Aspen’s historic roots and buildings, modern architects decided to keep and restore older structures rather than knocking them down. But when they built — they built new. This refined style is cosmopolitan yet cozy, modern yet timeless. The architects who molded this concept believed that art should be incorporated into every part of life, so you’ll see a lot of geometric shapes and asymmetrical arrangements. Windows are slot-shaped, and the surfaces are smooth and often in a monochromatic scheme.
 

Chalet

Often built to boast mountain views, these structures are known for their dramatic framing and roofing. These styles can have anything from a low pitched gable roof to an entire A-frame. Inside you’ll find exposed rafters, overhanging eaves, expansive glass, and a large central area. Piers and chimneys start from the ground floor up. They are often built with the famous Aspen building material, moss stone.

Wrightian

Wrightian architecture is famous for its iconic flat-roofed look and is built with brick, glass, and some wood. The shapes of the buildings are often rectangular and sport enormous chimneys and breathtaking cantilevering decks that appear as if they are floating. They have a horizontal emphasis and low-pitched hip roofs with overhanging eaves. The windows are often banded together and offer beautiful views of the outdoors.

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If you’re looking to make the move to Aspen, contact us today. We would love to assist you in finding the perfect piece of Aspen real estate or Aspen luxury homes for sale.

To get the inside scoop on seasonal activities in the area and things to do, read our other blog posts here.
 
 
 

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