Mid-century house in Aspen receives sensitive update by Studio B

Colorado firm Studio B Architecture + Interiors has completed The Perch, renovating a 1960s house for the studio's founders to make it suitable for modern living while "preserving the spirit of the original structure".

Built in 1968, the house rests on a sloped, high-alpine site in the town of Aspen. Surrounded by a stand of aspen trees, the house offers a "sense of being perched in a treehouse".

The home serves as the personal residence of Scott Lindenau and Susan Okie Lindenau, the founders of Studio B Architecture + Interiors. The Colorado practice has offices in Aspen and Boulder.

When the couple bought the two-storey home – originally designed by Paul Fisher – it was livable but dated. While located in an established neighbourhood, the house was hidden behind overgrown shrubs and trees.

The Lindenaus lived in the house for four years before deciding to embark on a full renovation, as "systems began failing and time took its toll".

The renovation entailed stripping the 2,400-square-foot (223-square-metre) house down to its studs to address structural issues and to bring the house up to modern standards. New mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were installed.

The kitchen was opened up to the living room, and the downstairs layout was modified. New finishes were added throughout the home.

"Original finishes were removed, and new ones were thoughtfully added to create a cohesive, refined material palette that complements the natural surroundings," the team said.

Maintaining the essence of the original home was an important concern, particularly on the exterior, which features brick and dark-wood cladding.

"Great attention was paid to ensure the house retained its exterior authenticity," the team said. "The Perch was a transformation aimed at preserving the spirit of the original structure while updating it for contemporary living."

In plan, the house is a bar that turns up at both ends. The entrance is marked by an original porte-cochere with a thick roof.

The front door leads into the home's upper level, where one finds a division between public and private spaces.

One side holds the main bedroom, while the other side contains a living room and dining space. The central portion holds the kitchen.

Adjoining the cooking space is a cantilevering terrace, where occupants can take in views of the mountainous terrain.

The lower level of the house encompasses a bedroom, family room and study, along with mechanical space. Interior finishes include wide-plank oak flooring, porcelain tile and solid-surface kitchen countertops.

In the main bedroom, the team revealed a concrete block wall, which had been concealed behind drywall and wood panelling.

"As part of the renovation, they restored the block to its natural texture and tone – bringing back its original luster and allowing the material's raw, honest character to shine," the team said.

The furnishings were selected by Susan Okie Lindenau and include stools and dining chairs from Cassina, a sofa by Vladimir Kagan and lighting by Arturo Álvarez. The sofa on the lower level, which was reupholstered, is a family heirloom purchased in Copenhagen in the 1960s.

The home is adorned with modern and tribal art from the Lindenaus's visits to Africa, South America and elsewhere. The house serves as "a vessel of memory" for the owners' global travels.

Throughout the dwelling, ample windows provide immersive views of the landscape as it transforms through the seasons. In the winter and spring, when the trees are bare, the house is afforded views far into the distance.

Other projects by Studio B include a low-lying trapezoidal home in Boulder that was envisioned as a "collage of form and light" and a gabled house in Aspen that features black cladding and rooms awash in natural light.

The photography is by James Florio.

Project credits:

Architect and interior designer: Studio B Architecture + Interiors
General contractor: GF Woods Construction

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