The most meaningful changes on a wooded lot in Aspen’s historic West End are the ones that respect what was already there. For the team at Rowland+ Broughton, the project was never about rewriting the home’s story, it was about listening closely to it.
“From the outset, the conversation centered on stewardship and longevity,” says Sarah Broughton, cofounder of Rowland+Broughton. The clients were drawn to the chalet not as a blank slate, but as part of Aspen’s architectural lineage. Emotionally, they wanted to preserve the soul of the structure while allowing it to feel lighter, more connected to the landscape, and more fluid for a multigenerational family. “It was about honoring history, but letting in air, light, and ease,” Sarah explains. “They wanted the home to feel like a retreat and a renewal, not just a place to return to, but one that elevates you every time you arrive.”
The A-frame’s steep rooflines and angular geometry established a powerful architectural framework, one the team chose to work within rather than against. “We knew our role was to design softness into the A-frame’s presence and strength,” says Sarah. From there, the focus shifted to targeted interventions that improved light, circulation, and daily livability, most notably the reconfiguration of the upper level and the introduction of a new open wood stair that allows daylight to filter through the core of the home.
The dormers became the project’s most defining—and initially risky—move. Crafted with perforated steel detailing, they redirect views east and west while diffusing light in a way Sarah describes as “almost poetic.” Beyond function, they reshaped the top floor into a private sanctuary, giving the primary suite breathing room, views, and a sense of calm. “What felt risky on paper ultimately became defining,” she says.
Inside, the palette remains intentionally quiet but layered. Light-toned wood wraps ceilings, walls, and built-ins, reinforcing the geometry of the A-frame while keeping spaces bright and grounded. Darker moments, like the kitchen cabinetry and fireplace surround, add contrast without overpowering the architecture. Color appears sparingly, in moments of delight rather than declaration.
Movement through the home unfolds as a sequence, not a reveal. Outdoor spaces—a sunken garden, an upper-level deck—extend sightlines and invite pause. “Our goal was to make movement through the home feel like a journey,” Sarah says. “Revealing, grounding, and elevating all at once.”
Asked to sum up the home’s spirit, she doesn’t hesitate: “Grounded. Sculptural. Serene.” It’s a balance that feels deeply rooted in Aspen—timeless, but quietly forward- looking.
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