For the design of MOLLIE Aspen, CCY sought to create a context-specific envelope that, while blending seamlessly into the historic fabric of Aspen, also delivers sustainable, top of the line performance in the formidable Colorado climate. To achieve one aspect of this ambition, CCY partnered with Austin-based lumber manufacturer, Delta Millworks, to clad the majority of the project in warm Accoya wood siding. In this conversation between CCY Partner Todd Kennedy and Delta Millworks President Robbie Davis, the two discuss this decision and its contribution to the overall design and sustainability strategies of the hotel.
“In Aspen, we're just below 8000 feet, we have 300+ sunny days a year, and we can have temperature swings in the summers, ranging from 85 to 90 degrees down to 20 or 25 degrees,” Kennedy remarks. “Any material here takes a beating, so we have to think carefully about how we detail a wood facade in a way that ensures the stability of the product.” Selected for its durability and sustainability, Accoya undergoes an acetylation process that enhances its resistance to moisture, decay, and insects—making it ideal for Aspen’s harsh freeze-thaw conditions. Additionally, CCY designed a ventilated rain screen system to allow the structure to breathe, preventing moisture buildup and prolonging the wood’s durability in the harsh mountain climate.
Kennedy also points to sustainability as a key driver of the project. Accoya’s eco-friendly properties, including its sourcing from sustainable forests, also contributed to lowering the building’s carbon footprint. The wood’s long lifespan and low environmental impact aligned well with the additional green features found within the project, including heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and a commitment to biophilic design principles that enhance the connection between the building’s interior and the natural landscape. “We knew we were wanting to use something that was warm and felt welcoming,” recalls Kennedy. In fact, the Accoya facade of MOLLIE was designed with varying widths of boards and textures to directly mimic the organic, vertical patterns of the aspen groves surrounding the hotel.
VIDEO: MOLLIE Aspen | Inspired by the past. Built for the future.
“Any material here takes a beating, so we have to think carefully about how we detail a wood facade in a way that ensures the stability of the product.”
Through MOLLIE and this collaboration with Delta Millworks, CCY continues to honor its mission of integrating architecture with place, ensuring that all of our work best serves both the local community and the broader environment.