The Legacy of Mountain Architecture in Aspen, Colorado
Since 1952, Z Group has shaped Aspen’s built environment with story-driven, site-sensitive design — honoring nature, people, and place for over 70 years.
Aspen’s First Licensed Architecture Practice — Founded in 1952
Z Group Architecture & Interior Design was founded in 1952 by Samuel J. Caudill, FAIA, recognized as the first licensed architect to establish a professional architectural practice in Aspen, Colorado. At a pivotal moment in the town’s evolution — as Aspen began its transformation from mining community to world-class mountain destination — Sam helped define an architectural language rooted in place, restraint, and reverence for the natural environment.
“Inspired by the outdoors” and guided by “the same elements as the mountains which frame the valley,” Sam Caudill’s philosophy became the foundation of Aspen architecture — a regional approach that honors nature and wildness through intentional design.
From the beginning, this vision emphasized harmony between structure and landscape. Natural materials, thoughtful siting, and an understanding of light, climate, and human experience became hallmarks of the firm’s work. These principles laid the foundation for Z Group’s enduring design ethos — one that continues to shape the built environment across Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West.
Evolving Through Generations
Honoring Legacy, Expanding Vision
Z Group’s legacy has been shaped by decades of thoughtful leadership, collaborative culture, and design rooted in place.
In the 1980s, the firm evolved into Caudill Gustafson and Associates, under the leadership of Jim “Gus” Gustafson, expanding its influence across Western Colorado and beyond. By the early 1990s, the firm became known as Caudill Gustafson Ross, earning a reputation for site-sensitive architecture and enduring relationships with both private and institutional clients.
In 2005, the name Z Group was adopted — a tribute to the historic ZG license plates once issued in Pitkin County. The rebrand honored the firm’s Aspen roots while signaling a forward-looking identity built on innovation, legacy, and place-based design.
Today, Z Group continues this lineage — integrating the wisdom of the past with the curiosity and creativity needed to meet the demands of the present.
Today’s Leadership
Shaping the Future with Legacy in Mind
Z Group’s continued success is led by a dedicated team of partners who embody both the firm’s heritage and its evolving vision for the future.
Z Group’s legacy is carried forward by a leadership team that blends creative vision, operational excellence, and an unwavering respect for place. At the helm is Seth Hmielowski, Senior Principal and Partner, who brings over two decades of experience rooted in both architectural rigor and relational depth. “Every project offers a unique opportunity to weave personal stories and aspirations into the fabric of our designs,” Seth reflects — a belief that continues to shape the firm's client-centered approach.
Design direction is led by Scott McHale, Principal, Director of Design, and Partner, whose architectural language is defined by clean lines, environmental sensitivity, and a commitment to collaboration. “Our success lies in our dedication to forming strong relationships built on trust and open communication,” says Scott. His leadership ensures each project not only looks beautiful, but feels intuitively designed for those who inhabit it.
Operational strategy and culture are driven by Brittany Biebl, Director of Business Operations and Partner — the first woman Partner in Z Group’s history. Brittany is instrumental in cultivating a firm that prioritizes care, clarity, and long-term partnerships. “Our legacy isn’t just what we’ve built — it’s how we’ve shown up for each other and for the people we serve,” she shares, underscoring the human dimension of the firm’s growth.
Together, this leadership team guides Z Group into the future with a shared commitment to timeless design, meaningful collaboration, and an enduring connection to Colorado’s landscapes and communities.
A Living Philosophy
Design That Honors Nature, Story, and Site
From the beginning, Z Group’s work has reflected a quiet confidence — one rooted in the belief that the most powerful architecture doesn’t compete with the landscape, but lives in harmony with it. This guiding principle, first articulated by founder Samuel J. Caudill, FAIA, continues to shape every project we undertake today.
At the core of our philosophy is deep site sensitivity — a commitment to designing with the land, not just on it. Whether crafting a modern mountain home in Aspen or a community-focused development on Colorado’s Western Slope, we begin by listening: to the place, the client, and the story being shaped. Our designs prioritize natural materials, intuitive flow, and sustainability as a foundation.
We believe that architecture should elevate the human experience — creating spaces where people feel more connected to nature, to one another, and to themselves. Over seven decades, this belief has guided Z Group’s evolution from Aspen’s first licensed architecture firm to a legacy-driven practice known for timeless, emotionally resonant architecture and interior design.
Explore the Legacy in Action
Z Group’s story is still unfolding — with each project, each partnership, and each place we’re honored to design.
Explore Our Portfolio:
Samuel J. Caudill
Sam was honored by the prestigious American Institute of Architects (AIA) for his lifetime of architectural achievement. Becoming an AIA fellow is considered the highest honor the organization offers. It is awarded to members who have made contributions of national significance and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession.
“Oklahoma-born, Kentucky-bred, Cornell-educated, Sam Caudill was working for Denver architect Tom Moore in January 1947 when he skied the newly opened Aspen Mountain. Five years later, in 1952, attracted by Aspen’s potential and his future wife, Joy Maxwell, Caudill moved there permanently, married, and started his own architectural firm. He had interrupted college to serve in the Army’s Office of Strategic Services, graduating in 1946 from Cornell, the only Ivy-League school to offer a bachelor’s degree in architecture. Caudill has the distinction of being Aspen’s first licensed architect to establish a practice (Benedict and Bayer were licensed by grandfathering, and Gordon Chadwick moved on). Although he started as a single practitioner, Rob Roy worked with him in the early years. Richard Lai joined Caudill’s firm from 1960-1965, when he left Aspen to teach architecture and planning at the University of Texas.” – Aspen Historical Society
Read more about Sam's extradentary impact and undeniable love for his Roaring Fork Valley environment and community.
