Category: General

Designing for the Slope

Designing for the Slope: Smart Strategies for Building on Mountain Terrain

In Colorado’s high country, some of the most stunning homes are also the most complex to design. Lots with expansive views often come with steep slopes, limited access, and a unique set of site-specific challenges. Still, for many homeowners, that perfect piece of land is worth the extra effort. At BHH Partners, we help our clients make the most of their property through early, thoughtful planning and a collaborative, solutions-driven process.

Whether you’re exploring land purchases or already own a lot with unique elevation, there are several critical factors to consider before building. Having designed homes throughout Breckenridge, Keystone, Winter Park, and beyond, we know that every site brings its own story. With that story comes opportunities for creative, responsive architecture.

Terrain is More Than Just a Backdrop

The topography of your site plays a fundamental role in shaping your home’s design. Flat building sites are rare in the mountains. Most parcels feature significant grade changes that influence everything from the foundation system to ceiling heights and driveway access.

As a general rule of thumb, for every 10 percent increase in slope, construction costs can increase by roughly 10 percent. This varies with site conditions, soil composition, and design complexity. A comprehensive understanding of the terrain and a team experienced in designing for it is essential from the start.

Designing Foundations That Respond to the Land

The mountain sets the parameters, and we design within them. On steep or uneven terrain, conventional foundation systems often won’t suffice. Instead, we may use stepped foundations, grade beams, drilled piers, or specialized retaining structures to adapt to existing contours. In some instances, bedrock excavation or reinforced soil nail walls may be necessary to establish a stable building platform.

Collaboration with experienced consultants is key. We coordinate closely with structural, civil, and geotechnical engineers, especially those with local knowledge and mountain experience. Their expertise informs our design decisions and helps mitigate risk, manage costs, and support the longevity of the home. Establishing a solid, site-specific foundation early in the process allows the rest of the design to move forward with confidence.

Understanding Water, Snow, and Solar Orientation

Mountain environments introduce dynamic environmental forces. Effective site design requires careful attention to drainage, snow management, and solar access. Water follows topography, and unmanaged runoff can compromise both structures and surrounding ecosystems.

Our approach integrates practical and technical strategies to manage these forces. Rooflines are designed to control snow shedding. Heated gutters, drainage systems, and moisture-resistant assemblies are incorporated to protect the structure. Driveway orientation, overhangs, and solar exposure are all considered to improve year-round functionality and comfort, especially on sites prone to heavy snow or extended shade.

Starting With a Walk on Site

Site visits are a foundational step in our process. Meeting with clients on-site allows us to study the land firsthand: the views, the sun angles, the natural vegetation, and the experiential qualities that shape how a home will feel in place. We’re looking not just at logistics, but at opportunities such as view corridors, privacy buffers, and moments of connection to the landscape.

These early conversations help us align the design with your lifestyle and values while identifying key site conditions that will guide our approach.

Navigating Local Guidelines

Every town and county has its own design standards. These rules affect building height, site coverage, and how homes interact with the surrounding landscape. One of the biggest challenges we see on sloped lots is meeting height requirements, which are often measured from natural grade.

With most mountain homes that are two or three stories, it takes thoughtful design to stay within the rules without compromising the view or interior layout. We’re familiar with the local processes and help our clients move through them smoothly and confidently.

Navigating Local Guidelines and Mountain-Specific Codes

Every jurisdiction in the mountains, whether town, county, or resort community, has its own land-use regulations, zoning, and design review standards. These often include restrictions on building height, lot coverage, grading, and visual impact.

On sloped lots, height calculations are frequently measured from natural grade, which can present design challenges for multi-level homes. Navigating these constraints requires both technical proficiency and strategic design thinking. At BHH, we are well-versed in regional codes and approval processes and advocate for our clients to ensure their projects move forward smoothly and compliantly.

Advice for Buyers and Future Homeowners

Purchasing a sloped or view-oriented lot is an exciting opportunity, but it comes with added layers of complexity. Increased engineering requirements, infrastructure needs, and construction logistics often translate to higher upfront investment. That said, some of the most rewarding homes we’ve designed have come from working with these very constraints.

When approached with clarity, creativity, and the right team, challenging sites can result in architecture that feels deeply connected to its environment. These are homes that could not exist anywhere else.

We help our clients understand these dynamics early, evaluate feasibility, and develop strategies that turn limitations into opportunities. From cost planning to land-use approvals to design execution, our goal is to make the process clear, collaborative, and inspiring.

Let’s Walk the Land Together

If you’re exploring the idea of building on a mountain lot, we’d love to walk the land with you. The earlier we’re involved, the more we can uncover. View potential, access solutions, and thoughtful strategies all become clearer when we engage early.

At BHH Partners, we believe great architecture is rooted in its context. We’re here to design homes that are not only beautiful and functional, but also deeply informed by place. They are responsive to the slope, the seasons, and the lives lived within them.

Let’s start the conversation.

Modern Mountain Living Above Winter Park

Project Spotlight: Northwoods – Modern Mountain Living Above Winter Park

At BHH Partners, we believe great architecture grows from long-standing relationships and a deep connection to place. That’s exactly what makes Northwoods such a meaningful project for our team. More than a decade in the making, Northwoods represents the evolution of our partnership with a visionary developer and our ongoing work shaping the residential landscape of Winter Park.

A Slope-Side Site with Serious Potential

Our journey with Northwoods began around 2013–2014, when the developer first acquired the land. Sitting just across Highway 40 from the slopes of Winter Park and Mary Jane, the property is perched in one of the most striking and strategic locations in the area. With views that directly frame the ski resort and access to the town’s free shuttle, it offers an experience that feels almost ski-in, ski-out without being on the lift line.

Originally part of a previous phase known as Lakota Summit, the lots were platted for triplex buildings. But as the vision evolved, we saw an opportunity to design something more refined. We created a series of luxury duplexes that would fit the same footprint while elevating the living experience. Nestled into the hillside, Northwoods comprises eight buildings—four upslope and four downslope—strategically positioned to take full advantage of both views and privacy.

Contemporary Mountain Architecture with a Bavarian Twist

The architecture of Northwoods walks the line between mountain tradition and modern expression. Drawing on the charm of a Bavarian ski chalet, we gave the design a contemporary update. Instead of heavy timber, the homes feature exposed steel, and layered in tall glass, clean lines, and crisp detailing that feels both bold and welcoming.

Each unit features floor-to-ceiling windows, with 14-foot floor-to-floor heights that create open, airy interiors and allow natural light to pour in. The low-slope rooflines and generous overhangs frame expansive outdoor decks designed for hot tubs, fire pits, and après-ski gatherings with unbeatable mountain views.

Inside, the sculptural staircase made of steel and glue laminated wood becomes a true focal point, transforming a purely functional element into an architectural statement. These homes also feature private elevators, mudrooms, ski storage, garages, and five spacious bedrooms, striking a thoughtful balance between form, practicality, and luxury.

Designing for the Land

Building on a steep hillside always presents challenges. In the case of Northwoods, we approached it like a design puzzle. It required us to think in three dimensions and unlock creative solutions. The result was something of a Rubik’s Cube, with each unit fitting snugly into its topography, every angle intentional, and every elevation optimized.

Rather than fight the slope, we worked with it, embracing the verticality to create homes with a strong presence, inside and out. The final building was completed in 2024. Today, the project’s owner proudly calls Northwoods home. It’s a fitting conclusion to a project rooted in vision, patience, and trust.

A Broader Legacy in Winter Park

Northwoods is one part of our impact in Winter Park, where we’ve designed 24 duplex buildings across several neighborhoods. Adjacent developments include Lakota Reserve, which is now complete, and the newly launched Three Peaks, a high-end enclave currently under construction. The first of its kind, Building #1, is days away from completion. The new owners could not be more excited. Building’s #5 and #6 have just broken ground this fall. Building #2 will be complete by the end of 2025 with Building’s #3 and #4 following close behind.

As Winter Park continues to grow, we’re proud to be part of a community that is evolving thoughtfully. These homes balance luxury with livability, and mountain style with modern performance.

Northwoods reflects everything we value at BHH. Long-term collaboration, site-sensitive design, and a deep respect for Colorado’s alpine beauty. We’re honored to have helped bring this vision to life and excited to see the next chapters take shape.

Want to learn more about building in Winter Park or explore what’s next in the region? Let’s connect.

Let's connect

Creating Meaningful Commercial Spaces

Beyond the Blueprint: Creating Meaningful Commercial Spaces

Commercial architecture brings community to life. It’s the coffee shop buzzing with morning conversations, the coworking space sparking new ideas, the town hall filled with voices that shape the future. At BHH Partners, we believe great commercial design does more than create a place to do business. It creates a place to belong. From Main Street storefronts to public gathering spaces, we craft environments that reflect the spirit of Colorado’s mountain towns and the people who make them vibrant.

Purpose-Driven Design

Every commercial space has a story. It might be a neighborhood gathering spot, a performance venue, or a lively retail shop. Our purpose-driven design process begins with understanding who will use the space, how they’ll move through it, and the experience it should create. From there, we design forms that meet these needs beautifully and effectively.

While commercial and residential architecture serve different functions, they share a common goal: to create spaces that feel intuitive, welcoming, and well-suited to their users. Commercial projects often involve broader groups, complex systems, and evolving demands. We approach each project with the same care and attention to detail as our homes, balancing efficiency with meaningful experiences.

We see every technical challenge as an opportunity for thoughtful commercial design. A theatre isn’t just seating and sightlines. It’s sound, flow, and atmosphere. A bar isn’t just a counter. It’s lighting, technology, and movement. In every commercial space, we aim to elevate the experience through smart, expressive choices that feel effortless yet intentional.

Commercial Design Rooted in Context

Designing commercial spaces in Colorado’s mountain towns requires deep respect for context – architectural, cultural, and natural. For us, this goes beyond visual fit. It’s about creating commercial architecture that supports local life and business in authentic ways. Drawing from historical styles, local materials, and surrounding landscapes, our designs feel rooted in their setting while serving today’s communities. Whether it’s a corner café, town hall, or small business hub, each commercial project is designed to belong.

A Collaborative Approach

Great commercial architecture is built through collaboration. We work closely with clients, consultants, and communities to ensure every voice is heard and every vision respected. This collaborative mindset leads to thoughtful, inclusive spaces that meet real-world needs.

Leaving a Lasting Impact

Our commercial projects are built to last, both in structure and in meaning. Whether it’s a cozy café, civic pavilion, or bustling retail space, our goal remains the same: to create places where people feel welcome, inspired, and connected.

Explore our multifamily and commercial architecture work to see how our approach transforms spaces and strengthens communities.

If you’re ready to bring your commercial project to life, we’re here to help. Let’s design something impactful together.

At BHH Partners, we believe when commercial architecture is done right, it doesn’t just stand out. It brings people together.