Influential Women in Design, Z Group in Luxe Interiors + Design
- Z Group Architecture & Interior Design
- Jun 23
- 7 min read
We’re honored to be included in the 2025 Influential Women in Design Spring/Summer issue of Luxe Interiors+Design, which celebrates the visionaries shaping the future of the build environment.
At Z Group Architecture & Interior Design, two of those visionaries — Marina Skiles, Senior Interior Architect, and Melanie Noonan, Senior Project Manager — are not only leading projects but elevating the entire practice.
An experiential approach to design results in homes and environments that are highly personal and deeply inspirational. As respective Senior Project Manager and Senior Interior Architect at Z Group Architecture & Interior Design, Melanie Noonan and Marina Skiles are committed to this unique methodology, which was established by the firm's Principals, Seth Hmielowski and Scott McHale.
"Whether we're working with full-time residents, seasonal occupants, or jet-setters with multiple properties, our process begins with immersing ourselves in each client's world, understanding their aspirations and the crafting spaces that reflect their unique experiences," Noonan says.
Another important facet is the firm's philosophy of Aspen architecture which, according to Skiles, "is inspired by the outdoors, honors nature through design and fosters strong connections to the beauty that surrounds us."
Design Minded
"To me, the style and design of a project is about the client," Noonan shares. "My job is to interpret their aesthetic and how they will look in the home, and to then use my expertise to help them create their ideal residence. A successful project is defined by the satisfaction and joy our clients find in their homes, along with the lasting relationship we build along the way."
Skiles adds, "I feel that the ultimate measure of a project's success is seeing how clients flourish in the spaces we've crafted. Transforming their dreams into tangible realities is both fulfilling and inspiring."
Melanie Noonan, Senior Project Manager
With a deep understanding of how people live, Melanie brings warmth, clarity, and technical precision to every project she leads. At Z Group, her portfolio spans a wide spectrum—from refined residences to complex hospitality environments—each one rooted in a deep sense of place.
Notable projects include the award-winning Shadow Mountain Residence, the contemporary Hayes House, the published and thoughtfully modern Elysium, and the historically sensitive Historic Hallam Renovation. Melanie also played a key role in the design and delivery of the on-mountain hospitality destination, High Alpine Marketplace & Alpin Room, demonstrating her versatility across project types.
In her role, Melanie leads projects from conceptual design through construction completion, offering strategic oversight, technical expertise, and thoughtful design direction. She is highly skilled in navigating local codes, municipal processes, and site-specific challenges unique to Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley.
“To me, the style and design of a project is about the client,” she shares in Luxe Interiors+Design. “A beautiful home is one that works for the people who live in it.”
From spatial planning to material detailing, Melanie’s approach anticipates how a home should function—not just on day one, but for generations to come.
Marina Skiles, Senior Interior Architect
A seasoned expert in high-end residential design, Marina is uniquely suited to lead the Z Group Interior Design team and foster seamless integration with the architecture team. Her work consistently bridges the gap between beauty and functionality, crafting spaces that elevate everyday living. Explore Z Group’s residential portfolio to see her expertise in action.
Marina brings thoughtful intention to the Interior Design team’s most dynamic mixed-use projects. At Basalt Center Circle, she played a key role in providing direction, ensuring cohesion, flow, and a seamless user experience across this community-forward development.
Her leadership reflects a belief that interiors are not just about aesthetics—they’re about experience, ease, and emotional connection. “The ultimate measure of success is seeing how clients flourish in the spaces we’ve crafted,” Marina notes in the Luxe Interiors+Design feature.
She recently shared her insights on lighting and integrated systems during a panel at the CEDIA Convention → Read more about the panel here.
Featured In Luxe Interiors + Design
Why Women-Led Design Matters in Aspen and Beyond
As one of Aspen’s most established architecture firms, Z Group is proud to champion women in leadership across the design process. From multi-phase residential builds to complex community developments, women like Noonan and Skiles are redefining what modern mountain living can look and feel like.
Forward Thinking
When asked what the future holds for women in design, Skiles and Noonan say...
Skiles: "Ultimately, design is about nurturing, guiding, and beautifying our build environment through well-organized structures and spaces — something women tend to excel at. With that said, the industry needs to continue to open doors for women in design. We know what we are doing, and we do it well."
Noonan: "As women, navigating this industry presents unique challenges, yet these obstacles also empower us to elevate our craft. By welcoming more women across all levels of design and construction, we can reshape the narrative, creating a more inclusive space where diverse voices flourish."
FAQ: Women in Design at Z Group
Q: Who are the women leading design at Z Group?
A: Melanie Noonan, Senior Project Manager, and Marina Skiles, Senior Interior Architect, are among the firm’s most experienced leaders. Together, they bring clarity, creativity, and empathy to residential, mixed-use, and interior architecture projects across Colorado and beyond.
Q: What sets their approach apart?
A: Both Melanie and Marina lead with a people-first philosophy — integrating lifestyle, site, and story into every detail. Their work is defined by collaboration, emotional connection, and design that reflects how people truly live.
Q: Where can I see their work?
A:
Melanie’s recent projects include Shadow Mountain Residence, Hayes House, Elysium, and the Historic Hallam Renovation, homes known for architectural integrity and timeless livability.
Marina contributed to Basalt Center Circle and The Midland Residences, where she guided interior team collaboration, material cohesion, and human-centered flow.
Q: Why does Z Group prioritize women in leadership?
A: Architecture and design should reflect the diversity of the people who live in the spaces we create. Empowering women in leadership roles brings new perspectives, nurtures stronger teams, and elevates the built environment in ways that are both visionary and grounded.
Q: How does this reflect Z Group’s broader mission?
A: Whether designing a community hub or a private residence, Z Group believes in creating spaces that connect people to place, to each other, and to a sense of purpose. Uplifting female voices is part of building that future.
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Project Portfolio » Residential | Interior Design | Commercial + Hospitality | Multi-Family + Mixed Use
Our Design Legacy » Legacy Info
Design in Action: Recent Projects
Whether shaping a private mountain retreat or contributing to a civic-scaled community hub, Melanie and Marina’s work embodies Z Group’s mission: to create design that’s deeply human, grounded in collaboration, and responsive to place.
Shadow Mountain Residence
An award-winning Aspen residence, the Shadow Mountain Residence is a study in balance: private yet open, sophisticated yet deeply livable. Melanie Noonan guided this home from concept to completion, ensuring its layout and materiality responded to the site’s alpine conditions and the evolving needs of its residents. Melanie’s ability to navigate complex zoning and her intuitive sense for how families live made her role essential, proof of how women’s leadership is shaping the future of mountain modern living.
Basalt Center Circle
A cornerstone of downtown Basalt’s revitalization, Basalt Center Circle and The Midland Residences bring together housing, retail, and community gathering space in a single, inclusive development. Marina Skiles played a central role in bridging the interior design and architectural teams, ensuring the building’s lived experience reflected its civic purpose.
Marina’s collaborative approach extended beyond the design studio to include developers, local government, artists, and residents. “One of the most rewarding parts of this project has been to engage with the broader community; the town government, the developers, our amazing artistic culture, and local residents,” she shares. “Design is all about connection. We look forward to seeing this building make connections throughout our community and beyond.”
Her leadership reflects how women in design foster not only aesthetic and spatial cohesion but also cultural and civic connection, making places that truly belong to their communities.
Hayes House
Modern yet inviting, Hayes House reflects Z Group’s residential approach—timeless design rooted in place, lifestyle, and legacy. Melanie Noonan led the project from concept through construction, bringing strategic oversight and technical precision to every phase.
Melanie is known for her ability to integrate architectural vision with practical execution. At Hayes House, she focused on maximizing natural light, creating clean and elegant forms, and ensuring a seamless connection between the interior and landscape. Her collaboration with both the architecture and interior design teams shaped a home that feels cohesive, calm, and enduring.
Her leadership highlights the powerful role women play in shaping custom residential architecture—bringing clarity, creativity, and care to every detail.
Elysium
Elysium is a minimalist retreat in the mountains—serene, purposeful, and precisely attuned to its environment. Featured in multiple publications, the home was led by Melanie Noonan, whose role spanned from early design strategy to construction oversight.
Melanie’s leadership ensured the project struck a balance between visual restraint and highly tailored solutions. She worked closely with both the architectural and interior teams to align views, flow, and materiality, all while maintaining the privacy the client desired. Her sensitivity to detail and deep understanding of client needs shaped a home that feels both contemplative and connected to its site.
Elysium reflects how women in design are not only managing complexity but also redefining elegance through intention and integration.
Historic Hallam Renovation
The Historic Hallam Renovation bridges past and present—revitalizing one of Aspen’s historic homes with care, precision, and purpose. Melanie Noonan led the project through its many complexities, overseeing both preservation and modernization with a steady, thoughtful hand.
Working within strict historic guidelines, Melanie navigated design constraints while reimagining the home for contemporary living. Her coordination with city officials, consultants, and the internal architecture and interiors teams ensured the finished home remained true to its origins while supporting the lifestyle of today’s residents.
This project highlights the critical role women play in complex restoration work, where technical rigor, empathy, and collaborative leadership must work in harmony.
High Alpine Marketplace & Alpin Room
Perched atop Snowmass Mountain, High Alpine Marketplace & Alpin Room transforms a rugged, high-altitude site into a vibrant, high-performance hospitality destination. Melanie Noonan was a key member of the project team, helping shape an experience that balances technical demands with guest comfort and warmth.
From coordinating structural and environmental requirements to supporting the seamless integration of architecture and interiors, Melanie brought clarity and cohesion to a challenging alpine context. Her contributions supported the creation of spaces that feel both durable and deeply inviting, designed to serve skiers, diners, and staff alike.
Her role illustrates how women in architecture are redefining public environments in Colorado, bringing resilience, empathy, and design precision to the forefront of high-elevation design.
Let’s Start a Conversation
Whether you’re envisioning your next home, planning a community-forward development, or seeking a design partner who leads with purpose, Z Group is here to help bring your vision to life.
📞 Call us at (970) 925-1832
📧 Email us at info@zgrouparchitects.com
We’d love to hear from you.
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