Why Multifamily Architecture Matters in Mountain Towns
Blending community, context, and craft to shape sustainable, connected living
If you live in or love a mountain town, you already know these places are special. They offer more than just views. There’s a rhythm to life that feels grounded, with close-knit neighborhoods, easy access to nature, and a strong sense of belonging. It’s no surprise more people want to be part of that experience.
But as more people arrive, housing becomes harder to find. Families are priced out, workers face long commutes, and local businesses struggle to hire and retain staff. When people can’t live near where they work or contribute to the community, the town’s character begins to shift.
Multifamily architecture offers one way to address this challenge. These housing types—such as apartments, townhomes, duplexes, and mixed-use buildings—bring multiple households together within a shared footprint. Designed thoughtfully, they can increase housing availability without compromising on quality, experience, or connection.
Multifamily housing can help people stay rooted. It can make space for year-round residents, support walkable neighborhoods, and ease pressure on the natural landscape. It’s about creating balance, not just building more. When aligned with community needs and character, this kind of housing becomes a vital part of the place, responsive to both the land and the lives of those who call it home.
This isn’t about building quickly or building big. It’s about designing well. With community at the center, multifamily architecture gives mountain towns the opportunity to grow intentionally while preserving what makes them so loved.
Housing That Supports Community
In towns where land is limited and demand is high, we have to think creatively. Multifamily housing allows us to provide more homes within a smaller footprint, without sacrificing quality or connection.
For example, well-designed apartments, townhomes, duplexes, and mixed-use buildings can offer flexible, efficient housing options that still feel rooted in the local character. When thoughtfully planned, these developments can support a range of households while encouraging walkability, shared outdoor spaces, and a stronger sense of neighborhood.
At its best, multifamily living supports the local workforce, helps retain long-time residents, and welcomes newcomers who want to invest in the community. It fosters a more balanced, year-round population that strengthens everything from schools to small businesses.
Making Multifamily Feel Like Home
One thing we often hear from clients and community members is that they want multifamily housing to feel more like single-family homes. That makes sense. People want their home to feel personal, not like a generic apartment in the city.
We design with that in mind. Elements such as private entries, thoughtful massing, and varied rooflines help larger buildings feel more approachable and in tune with their surroundings. By breaking up the scale, creating visual rhythm, and reflecting familiar residential forms, we ensure these homes feel grounded in the local architectural language.
We also work with the land. Instead of placing units side by side, we step them up or down with the natural slope. Each home is oriented to maximize views and daylight. Outdoor spaces like patios, balconies, and small courtyards become natural extensions of daily living.
We’ve applied these principles in recent work. At The Glade in Frisco, we prioritized privacy, mountain views, and a strong sense of individuality in each unit. In Winter Park, our multifamily homes are setting a new standard for luxury mountain living. These high-end duplexes offer expansive resort views and integrate naturally into steep terrain through thoughtful siting and the use of local materials.
Designing with Respect for Place
We also understand that new housing can raise concerns in established neighborhoods. Many residents worry that larger buildings will alter the character of their street or impact property values.
Our approach is to listen first and design with care. When multifamily homes are created with the same attention to detail as custom single-family residences, they blend into the neighborhood rather than stand apart. Our roots in custom residential design allow us to bring that same level of craft and consideration to multifamily projects.
It’s not about imposing a new style. It’s about designing in a way that feels familiar, welcoming, and respectful of what’s already there.
Built to Last in Tough Conditions
Designing homes in a mountain climate comes with unique challenges. Snow loads, steep grades, and dramatic temperature shifts all influence how a building performs and how people experience it. We select materials and systems that work hard, hold up well, and keep residents comfortable through every season.
But true resilience goes beyond structure. It’s about anticipating the realities of everyday life in the mountains. That means designing features like protected walkways that stay safe in winter conditions, integrated ski and gear storage, heated entries, and smart snow management strategies that reduce maintenance and improve accessibility.
These details matter. They make daily life easier and more comfortable, and they help buildings stay functional and beautiful for years to come.
Looking Ahead in Summit County
Here in Summit County, and in mountain towns across the West, these housing questions aren’t theoretical. They affect daily life. We see how the housing shortage impacts the people who make these towns run and how multifamily design can be part of the solution.
We believe there’s a path forward that honors the character of the places we love while making room for more people to be part of them. Through thoughtful architecture and local insight, multifamily housing can feel just as rooted, welcoming, and well-crafted as any custom home.
To see how we’re bringing this approach to life, explore our Multifamily and Commercial Architecture spotlight.
Because in the end, this work is about more than buildings. It’s about creating long-term value for residents, neighborhoods, and the mountain communities we’re proud to call home.