Base Camp

Conceived as a contemporary take on the classic mountain cabin, this design offered a year-round retreat for family gatherings at the base of the Powderhorn Ski Area. The small parcel is bordered by open space on two sides, with older condos flanking the property. To capture natural light while preserving privacy, the cabin was rotated on its site so large openings and exterior living spaces orient toward the open meadows and views, while narrower apertures face the neighboring developments. The result is a simple, compact form carefully tuned to its surroundings—bright, sheltered, and grounded in the quiet edge of the resort.

Designed to host up to two families—or as many as a dozen people on a long weekend—the project emphasized shared experience over excess space. Sleeping areas were intentionally minimized to allow the social core to expand: an open great room, generous circulation, and outdoor gathering areas that encouraged connection after days spent skiing or mountain biking. Although the project was ultimately shelved during the pandemic, it remains a meaningful part of my design evolution—a distilled study in scale, privacy, and the craft of creating community within a compact footprint.