History

Founded in 1980 by Charles Cunniffe, Charles Cunniffe Architects (CCA) continues to uphold a commitment to design excellence and client satisfaction. Charles arrived in Aspen in 1979 to work on the Hotel Jerome Renovation and Addition. Shortly thereafter, and having fallen in love with Aspen, he started CCA with one project. In the years following, several additional projects necessitated the need for three more employees, and by 1985 the firm completed over twenty projects. CCA has steadily continued to grow, and now completes over 40-60 projects annually and employs eighteen professionals.

CCA is a full service architectural and land planning firm whose hallmark is providing a superior level of creative design. CCA has been conscientious about maintaining contextual compatibility in the design of its structures, to harmonize with both the natural environment and the historic character of our town. In addition to numerous private residences and commercial projects, CCA’s designs over the years have included the restoration adaptive re-use of the historic Isis Theater, Stage III Theater, St Mary Catholic Church Renovation, the Ouray County Courthouse, The Telluride Town Hall, the Ute City Banque Building, historic Hotel Jerome, the Aspen Block Building, the Old Post Office building, Pacifica Building, 610 East Hyman, early renovations to the Brand Building, the restoration of the Stallard House Museum, and the Aspen Municipal Golf and Tennis Clubhouse, to name but a few.

Much of the design process starts from knowing what happened before. History teaches us what is important to the place, people, and culture. We strive for our architecture to be respectful of its setting, yet express its individuality and form a part of an ever evolving history.