CCA Designs the New Aspen City Hall

The ribbon has been cut on Aspen’s new City Hall! Earning LEED Gold and WELL certifications, the City opened its doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony last week.

Aspen City Hall, designed by Charles Cunniffe Architects, is organized around existing municipal and civic facilities, parks and plazas which are landscaped on a series of public spaces connecting the mountain to the south, with the river to the north.

As an artificial extension of the hillside, the green roof of the new building acts as the connective tissue linking the mountain to the river, creating a natural greenway. Natural paths extend from the landscape to the roofscape, creating wayfinding for people to move around and through.

The site was an existing underutilized city asset, fronting a municipal parking lot and city-owned Rio Grande Park. The location allowed for an extension of the existing rooftop plaza to further connect the greenway to the park below.

The CCA Team

Along the central arrival access from Aspen’s downtown core, a civic alley opens all the way down from Aspen Mountain to the Roaring Fork River, featuring all the major public programs and facilities.

On the ground floor, the facades recede to expand the public realm, creating canopies to welcome visitors, collaborators, and community members. Each area of the building is tailored to its specific program, with the floor plans creating a lively and varied interior architecture.

Stair and Lobby

The interior provides a biophilic environment that aims to enhance productivity and well-being. The surrounding parks, with ample green elements, provide visual relief and access to the natural environment.

The new Aspen City Hall is a lively urban ensemble, providing a new community resource and gathering place which will continue to grow and be used as an extension of the City’s history.

The building has many sustainable attributes:

  • LEED Gold and WELL silver Certification
  • Solar array on roof
  • Geothermal design utilizing existing natural spring under the building site and existing parking garage
  • North facing daylighting extends into the office space and common areas
  • Vertical circulation thru the building connects all levels, brings natural light thru the structure, and allows building occupants to easily access all areas of the building
  • All office space is designed for occupant ergonomic uses
  • Fully electrified building systems that rely on the city of aspen 100% renewable provided electric grid
  • Lighting and daylighting response system (IMEG narrative)
  • Located along city bikeways and close to bus routes
  • Bike storage for users onsite and locker room access to promote physical activity and well-being
  • Electric vehicle charging stations

Our team is extremely proud to design such essential community spaces — with a keen eye towards sustainability, community and wellness. For more on this project, please visit here.

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