CREJ

June 2021 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 49 W e’ve all seen the grim statis- tics … summers are getting hotter, winters are getting shorter, and our mountains are receiving less snowfall. Yet the appetite for a lifestyle set among our state’s majestic peaks and idyllic mountain communities is only increasing. Many fami- lies have glimpsed the possibility of a world where the morning’s corporate merger can be hashed out on a Zoom call, the family can meet for a slope-side lunch of Chilean sea bass, and the east wall of the cirque can be conquered after a quick check-in with the office. Against this backdrop, East West Part- ners has prioritized a conservation-minded development approach to meet the growing demand for climate friendly resort living. “If you own a home at a ski resort, you’re inherently invested in the preservation of snow,” said Andy Gunion, Roaring Fork Val- ley managing partner for East West Partners. “Nobody wants their ski home to contribute to climate change, but the reality is most do – either through the burning of natural gas in the home itself or by receiving electricity generated from fossil fuel sources.” Introducing the latest of East West Part- ner’s resort properties, Electric Pass Lodge – a new 52-unit “net-zero ready” ski-in/ski-out luxury condominium building at the base of Snowmass Village. “We set out to design not only a contemporary Scandinavian-inspired al- pine lodge, but the most sustainable, all-electric condominium building in the Colorado mountains. Electric Pass Lodge will set a new standard for the future of building design in Snow- mass and hopefully for ski re- sorts across North America,” said Christian Barlock, principal with 4240 Architecture. Achieving this goal required a multifaceted design approach, led by our firm and “deep green” engineering firm Integral Group. The occupant comfort strategy began with a reevaluation of the overall village master plan. The team opted to open up an interior courtyard, allowing winter sun to passive- ly heat a large portion of the south-facing units in addition to reaching deep into the heart of the village to the community pool. The next layer of sustainability integra- tion included the use of passive building technologies such as a highly efficient build- ing envelope with triple-pane windows, in- sulation targets well in excess of code, and the inclusion of “phase change’ materials that moderate interior temperature swings throughout a 24-hour cycle. Additionally, occupants are encouraged to forego the use of mechanical climate control by using the numerous operable windows and “infinity” door systems to take advantage of natural cross ventilation. The “last mile” of achieving optimal user comfort is met through carefully selected active technologies. Buried “earth-tubes” are utilized to preheat and precool constant- ly circulated fresh air intake. Electric wall heaters are powered by a combination of Electric Pass Lodge Leads Quest for Gold-Standard ‘Guilt-Free’ 2nd Home Stuart Brummett Project Designer, 4240 Architecture TOP: Electric Pass Lodge view looking toward the Cirque (or Snowmass Ski Area) BOTTOM: Electric Pass Lodge view from community pool looking east