Fifty Years in the Mountains
A Legacy of Vision, Craft, and Continuity
Sometimes the right place shapes everything that follows.
When BHH was founded in 1976, Summit County was still early in its evolution. It was a ski destination, rooted in mining and ranching, and just beginning to grow into the place it is today. It was remote, rugged, and full of challenges, but it also offered something rare: the chance to help shape the definition of architecture from the ground up.
That was the opportunity Gene Baker and Marc Hogan saw when they opened a small architecture office in Silverthorne. Later joined by Mike Houx, they did it all, every drawing, every meeting, every detail. From the start, the work wasn’t just about building; it was about creating something beautiful and taking the time to understand what each client truly wanted. In Summit County design had to make sense for the landscape, the people, and the dreams they brought to the table.
That mindset became the foundation of our practice. Fifty years later, it still is.
The Work Behind the Years
Over the years, BHH has focused on designing homes and communities that are made to be lived in. They are meant to function season after season and to feel right long after the newness wears off. The design matters, and so does the daily experience of being there.
That kind of work builds over time, one decision at a time. It begins with listening, with understanding the people we are designing for, and with paying close attention to how things come together in the real world.
Many of us have built our careers here. We have formed long-term partnerships, mentored new architects, and learned how to solve problems together. What holds that all together is not just experience, it’s trust.
Jarrett Buxkemper joined BHH in 1998. As he puts it,
“BHH has always felt like a family. We have always tried to do the best work we can for the community. That is what kept me here.”
A Legacy That Shaped Our Path
The results of that commitment are visible across the region. Neighborhoods like Hamilton Creek, Northwoods, Summit Sky Ranch, and The Ranch at Eagles Nest helped shape a broader idea of what mountain communities could be. Each neighborhood grew from a vision of comfort, beauty, and a life attuned to the mountains.
We’ve been honored through awards, publications, and the Parade of Homes. What matters most are the people who have returned to these homes year after year. The ones who trusted us again when it was time to design something new. That is the true measure of the work.
A Practice That Adapted Without Losing Its Core
From the beginning, BHH focused on architecture that responds to its environment and serves the people who inhabit it. That clarity helped guide the firm through changing times, including economic shifts, leadership transitions, the loss of founding partners, and the uncertainty of COVID.
In 2009, the firm formally became BHH Partners. The name reflected what had already shaped the practice for years: a collaborative approach built on strong relationships and shared responsibility. Here, collaboration has always mattered more than ego. Teamwork has always come first.
The Tools Have Changed. The Principles Have Not.
What began as hand sketches and physical models is now a fully digital process. Clients can visualize their projects sooner, make better decisions, and feel confident well before construction begins. The design process is more efficient, and the communication is clearer.
The core principles have stayed the same.
We approach each project with care and intention. We design spaces that are functional, buildable, and aligned with how people actually live. Every decision is considered through the lens of long-term performance and everyday use. The goal is not to make a statement, but to create places that work well and continue to work over time.
The strength of that consistency comes from the people behind it. Our team includes professionals who have been here for decades, who understand the region, the process, and each other. That shared experience shows up in how projects move forward and how problems are solved.
Good work happens when expectations are clear, roles are respected, and everyone involved is aligned around a shared goal.
“It has been rewarding to be part of something that lasts,” Jarrett reflects.
“You are not just solving problems. You are helping people build a life.”
Looking Ahead
Fifty years is a long time in this business. This year, we take time to reflect, to celebrate, and to look forward.
We are still designing new homes throughout the mountain region. We are also returning to projects from years past, helping to update and adapt them for new phases of life. That continuity is meaningful. It reflects our belief that architecture is not just about completing good work, but about staying connected to it over time.
We have also expanded beyond Summit County and beyond residential design. Our work includes commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use projects across Colorado, and we continue to grow that side of the practice. These efforts are an extension of our original goals: to support strong, resilient communities and to design spaces that serve both people and place.
Sustainability, performance, and technology continue to shape how we work. Materials are improving. Modeling tools are more precise. Construction methods are more efficient. We are evolving along with them.
To Everyone Who Helped Build This
If you have worked with BHH as a client, builder, partner, or team member, you are part of this story. You helped shape a practice that began in a small Silverthorne office and grew into a firm known throughout the region, without losing sight of its roots.
Fifty years in the mountains is something to be proud of. More than that, it is something to carry forward.
Here’s to the work behind us.
And to the work still ahead.