"Defining Joy", Ikigai Featured in Luxe Magazine
- Z Group Architecture & Interior Design
- Nov 11
- 5 min read
At Z Group Architecture & Interior Design, we believe architecture should do more than shelter—it should uplift, inspire, and align with how you live. Our recently completed Aspen residence, Ikigai, has been honored with a feature in the 20th Anniversary Colorado + The Rockies issue of Luxe Interiors + Design under the editorial “Defining Joy.” This modern mountain home reflects our commitment to purposeful, place-based design rooted in both beauty and meaning.
Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Ikigai reflects a client’s vision for a life grounded in intentional design, quiet luxury, and natural connection. Led by architect Seth Hmielowski and interior designer Andrea Glinn, the project embodies our firm’s mission to create emotionally resonant spaces that reflect both place and purpose.
Below is the Luxe Interiors + Design article in full.
Defining Joy
Architect Seth Hmielowski and designer Andrea Glinn conceive a modern Aspen home centered around a Japanese philosophy of mindful, intentional living.
Originally published in Luxe Interiors + Design
Written by Rebecca Gart | Photography by Nate Sheets
Long an admirer of Japanese culture and philosophy after years of frequent travel to Japan for business, Seth Hmielowski’s client naturally gravitated toward design elements associated with the Land of the Rising Sun when building a home of his own in the heart of Aspen. But he kept casting around for the right term to describe his vision, recalls the architect. “He’d bring up ‘Zen’ or ‘wabi-sabi,’ but neither of those words were quite it; what he was seeking wasn’t just a peaceful or a beautifully imperfect retreat,” muses Hmielowski, who conceived the residence alongside firm principal Scott McHale, with support from project manager Randy Henrie. “It took time to finally land on the right word to describe what we were aiming to accomplish: ikigai, living with intent and purpose.”
The term loosely translates as “a reason for being” and refers to the practice of defining that which creates a fulfilling, meaningful, purpose-driven life. Applied to architecture and interior design, ikigai encompasses the creation of intentional spaces that foster well-being and joy, as well as reflect and serve an inhabitant’s values and passions. For this owner, whose friends and family are touchstones in his life, that meant crafting a house filled with inviting communal gathering spaces beside areas aimed at private reflection and relaxation, too.
Hmielowski and his team approached what became a three-story sanctuary within Aspen’s downtown with an eye toward capturing natural light, conversing with the surroundings and making the most of views of Aspen and Red Mountain. Ikigai guided the design direction as a feeling rather than a theme. "We mixed modern architecture with a Zen sense of calm, focused, quiet spaces—which sometimes were a challenge to blend together,” Hmielowski admits. Our goal was to maintain clean, sharp lines that are softened materially,” he continues, pointing out three types of wood, metal and concrete used in the architectural envelope, whose shades of subdued gray, soft brown and black warm up the structure’s more contemporary components. Those clean lines, the flow and the home’s general orderliness all nod back to a minimalism and simplicity often associated with Japanese design philosophies. Careful consideration was also given to expandable living spaces—see the striking double pivot doors of the living area, which facilitate movement to the outdoors—and comfort, achieved through just-right proportions of glass, height and volume. Sustainability also factored into the residence through green roofs, solar paneling and an energy-efficient air filtration system, all installed under general contractor Sebastian Wanatowicz, who blended them seamlessly into the home’s aesthetic.
Interior designer Andrea Glinn, who’d worked with the owner twice on previous projects, focused on creating warm, intentional spaces. The process involved multiple instances of paring down and a consideration of how the house would harmonize with nature through an extensive use of materials like wire-brushed woods and tumbled stone. The soothing palette threads cool blues and grays, favorite hues of the owner, throughout the spaces. “I dug into what would feel light, calm and contemplative; there’s nothing overstimulating here,” Glinn says, noting that there are purposefully few TVs. She and her client also traveled together to select (and sit on) all the furnishings, resulting in intuitively chosen pieces that really resonated with him, the designer explains. Intriguing art provides a finishing touch, with advisor Simone Joseph working with Glinn and the owner to bring in multicultural and internationally sourced works from living artists. A bespoke chandelier from Israel and pieces from Syrian American and Vietnamese American artists are particular highlights. “We paired modern art with antiques to show the dimension of time, with layers mixed in to tell a story,” Glinn comments.
What’s most apparent, however, is how well the residence welcomes people beloved by the owner (it sleeps up to 16), a key part of how he defines ikigai for himself. “This is my happy place, and the vibe is peaceful and fun; it feels alive, warm and active here,” he shares. And that’s entirely intentional.
Architecture: Seth Hmielowski, Z Group Architecture & Interior Design
Interior Design: Andrea Glinn, Glinn Interiors
Home Builder: Sebastian Wanatowicz, Type Five Builders
Landscape Architecture: Amy Capron Barrow, Land Design 39
Designing Joy with Intentional Detail
The Japanese word Ikigai—meaning “a reason for being”—guided every architectural and interior decision in this home. At Z Group, we believe that great design is rooted in everyday experience. Materials matter. Light matters. Ritual matters.
In this Aspen mountain retreat, those values come to life through:
Integrated transitions between interior and exterior, including custom double pivot doors that open the home to mountain views
A material palette of wire-brushed wood, hand-troweled plaster, and tumbled stone that reflects the natural environment
Minimal technology, soft acoustics, and restrained detailing that foster calm and connection
Thoughtfully scaled rooms that support hosting up to 16 guests, without losing warmth or intimacy
These aren’t aesthetic decisions—they’re personal ones. For us, designing joy means designing spaces that are emotionally authentic, timeless, and deeply connected to place.
Discover Ikigai
Ikigai is more than a residence—it’s a reflection of how architecture can align with your values, lifestyle, and love for the landscape. If you’re envisioning a luxury home in Aspen or the greater Roaring Fork Valley, we’d love to help you bring it to life.
If you’re dreaming of a home that reflects your values, celebrates your lifestyle, and feels as natural as the mountain air, we’d love to help.
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