Hayes House
Mountain Modern with Historic Victorian Form | Duplex
Aspen, Colorado | West End
A Legacy Restored in Aspen’s West End
At the intersection of heritage and modernity, the Hayes House stands as a testament to Aspen’s architectural evolution. Designed by Z Group Architecture & Interior Design, this reimagined Victorian-era miner’s cabin merges historic preservation with contemporary design innovation. The result is more than a renovation—it’s a rebirth.
Once a beloved family home and community landmark, Hayes House has been transformed into a timeless expression of mountain modern living rooted in Aspen’s past yet fully attuned to the present. It embodies Z Group’s philosophy that architecture should honor legacy while shaping the future.
A Home with Deep Roots
The Hayes House holds generations of history. For decades, it was lovingly maintained by the Hayes family—beloved Aspen locals and Hall of Fame inductees. When the time came to renew the home, Z Group approached the project with equal parts reverence and ingenuity.
Guided by historic photographs, community memory, and the stringent standards of Aspen’s Historic Preservation Commission, the team executed a transformation of exceptional precision. In an extraordinary engineering feat, the original cabin was lifted and moved on rails to allow a full basement excavation, creating new livable space without compromising authenticity.
Repositioned at the front of the lot, the restored cabin now stands independently, preserving a rare freestanding Victorian presence within Aspen’s historic West End.
A Tale of Two Homes
Set on a compact lot, the Hayes House is designed as two distinct yet interwoven residences—each reflecting a different chapter of Aspen’s story.
Unit A: The Historic Cabin Restoration
Preserving its Victorian charm, the original residence maintains the soul of the miner’s cabin while adopting a more open, connected plan. Once-partitioned rooms now flow effortlessly, united by light, warmth, and a newly revealed butler’s kitchen—perfect for entertaining.
Unit B: The Modern Addition
A contemporary complement designed as an “upside-down” home, placing bedrooms on the main level and soaring, light-filled living spaces above. Vaulted ceilings and panoramic windows create an elevated retreat that feels both expansive and intimate.
From the street, the two dwellings appear distinct yet harmonious dialogue between tradition and transformation, where past and future coexist in balance.
Design Highlights
Historic Preservation: Meticulous restoration guided by Aspen’s preservation standards and archival documentation.
Dual-Residence Design: A freestanding Victorian and modern duplex composition, merging legacy with livability.
Engineering Feat: Original cabin lifted and relocated for full basement excavation and structural renewal.
Light + Connection: Expanded windows, glass walls, and open circulation dissolve interior boundaries.
Material Integrity: Original Victorian detailing paired with refined modern finishes for lasting resonance.
Past Preserved, Future Enhanced
The Hayes House demonstrates what’s possible within Aspen’s preservation framework—proving that innovation can deepen authenticity. Every design decision balances reverence with renewal: painted lapboard siding meets crisp modern steel, and historic fenestration meets expansive glazing.
Through this synthesis, Z Group demonstrates that legacy and innovation are not opposing forces, but partners in creating meaningful, enduring architecture. The home reflects a philosophy of continuity—where history informs modern life rather than restraining it.
Architecture in Harmony
The Hayes House embodies Z Group’s enduring commitment to architecture that harmonizes with its setting, elevates daily life, and preserves cultural memory. Through disciplined design and sensitive intervention, the home bridges a century of architectural evolution—from miner’s cabin to modern masterpiece.
This project continues Z Group’s legacy of restoring Aspen’s heritage through the lens of contemporary mountain living—where craftsmanship, community, and context shape design that stands the test of time.
The Team Behind the Vision
Architect: Z Group Architecture & Interior Design
Structural Engineer: Albright Engineering
Civil Engineer: Justine Yarnell
MEP Engineer: REG
Surveyor: Peak Surveying
Contractor: Steeplechase Construction
Structural Mover: Bailey House Movers
Interior Designer: Kerry Joyce
Landscape Architect: Connect One Design
Windows: Reveal Windows, MHB, Jeldwen Windows
Technology Integration: Paragon
Solar Energy: SunSense
Photographer: Studio 27
Continuing Aspen’s Story
With the Hayes House, Z Group continues its legacy of reinterpreting Aspen’s historic architecture through the lens of modern mountain design. It is both preservation and progression—architecture that honors memory while embracing change.
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