A Guide to Local Architectural Styles Common in Colorado

Colorado is a beautiful state full of diverse and vibrant architectural styles. Whether you’re looking for a mountain contemporary style, a historic Victorian, or an A-frame cabin, you’ll find something to love in Colorado. From the snowcapped peaks of the Rockies to the rolling high-plains, the local architecture reflects the unique and varied landscape. From classic mountain cabins to sleek modern dwellings, every corner of Colorado has a unique style to discover. This guide will explore some of the most popular architectural styles found in Colorado, from classic A-frame cabins to the more modern Mountain Contemporary style. Whether you’re searching for a home of your own or simply looking to explore the diverse architecture of the state, this guide will provide you with a useful overview of some of the most stunning architectural styles in Colorado.

Colonial Style

The Colonial architectural style is an iconic example of the traditional architecture found in New England and the south-east. The style was popularized in the early 18th century, and was a result of the growing British Empire. This style is characterized by its symmetry, low-sloping roofs, and often-ornate doorways. The interior is typically designed in a simple palette of neutral tones, with large windows to let in lots of natural light. Some examples of the Colonial architectural style include the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg, Virginia, and the Old State House in Boston, Massachusetts. The Colonial architectural style is often found in Colorado among historic buildings in the state’s larger cities.

Craftsman Style

The Craftsman architectural style originated in the early 20th century, and is known for its open floor plans, and use of natural materials. This style is characterized by wide, overhanging eaves, large windows, and exposed wooden beams. The interior is typically designed with wood floors, and lots of built-in cabinets and shelving. Some examples of the Craftsman architectural style include the Gamble House in Pasadena, California, and the Jacobsen House in Coronado, California. The Craftsman architectural style is found in many areas in Colorado, including the larger suburbs in the Denver suburbs.

Mid-Century Modern

The Mid-Century architectural style was both functional and beautiful. This style was popular during the mid-20th Century, and is defined by its minimalist aesthetic, and use of natural materials. The Mid-Century architectural style is characterized by open floor plans, lots of natural light, and a sleek, modern aesthetic. The interior is often designed with light hardwood floors, and modern furniture. Some examples of the Mid-Century architectural style include the Eames House in Los Angeles, and the Farnsworth House in Plano, Illinois. The Mid-Century architectural style is found across Colorado, particularly in the larger suburbs of Denver.

A-Frame Cabins

The A-frame cabin is one of the most distinct architectural styles found in Colorado. This unique style was developed by the famous architect, Phillip Johnston in 1938. The A-frame cabin is characterized by two triangular-shaped roofs, and is often made with logs, wood slats, or wooden boards. The interior can be designed with a variety of materials, including wood, iron, and stone. Some examples of the A-frame cabin include the Aspen Art Museum and the Colorado Architecture Center in Aspen, and the Snowmass Village Town Hall in Snowmass. The A-frame cabin architectural style is found in many places in Colorado, particularly along the mountains.

Mountain Contemporary

The Mountain Contemporary architectural style is a modern take on the rustic cabin. This architectural style is characterized by large windows, wooden accents, and an open floor plan. The Mountain Contemporary architectural style is often built with logs, stone, and wooden beams. The interior is often designed with hardwood floors, and modern furniture. Some examples of the Mountain Contemporary architectural style include the One Ski Hill Place in Breckenridge, and the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum in Vail. The Mountain Contemporary architectural style is found across Colorado, particularly in the larger cities and towns.

Southwest Style

The Southwest architectural style is a blend of traditional, Spanish, and Mexican influences. This architectural style is characterized by adobe walls, stucco, and often features brilliant colors and patterns. The interior is often designed with natural materials like wood, stone, and adobe bricks. Some examples of the Southwest architectural style include the Taos Pueblo in Taos, New Mexico, and the San Francisco de Asis Mission in San Francisco, New Mexico. The Southwest architectural style is found in places in Colorado with a significant Spanish influence and history, such as Santa Fe.

Advantages of Local Architectural Styles

While every style has its merits, there are many advantages of choosing a local architectural style when building a new home. First, it’s more cost-effective, as you can reuse designs from other homes in the area. You’ll also save time, as there’s no need to wait for a custom design, which can take months. Finally, local architectural styles are often more energy-efficient, as they’re designed with local climate conditions in mind. For example, a traditional New England-style home will provide plenty of insulation during the long and cold winters, while a modern contemporary home may not. With a little research, you can find a local architectural style that meets your needs, looks amazing, and will save you money over the long run.

Victorian Style

The Victorian architectural style is a classic example of western architecture. This architectural style is characterized by ornate balconies and porches, as well as a wide, overhanging roof. The interior is often decorated with rich fabrics and wood, with large wood-paneled walls and fireplaces. Some examples of the Victorian architectural style include the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, and the Queen Anne Victorian House in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Victorian architectural style is found in many areas in Colorado, particularly in the larger cities.

Contemporary Architecture

If you’re looking for an architectural style that’s both modern and unique, the contemporary architectural style may be perfect for you. This architectural style is characterized by clean lines, large windows, and the use of light materials. The interior is often designed with hardwood floors, and large, open layouts. Some examples of the contemporary architectural style include the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Although the contemporary architectural style is popular across the country, it’s particularly prevalent in larger cities, and can be found in many areas in Colorado.

Rustic Log Cabins

Finally, if you’re looking for a rustic architectural style, the log cabin may be the perfect architectural style for you. This architectural style is characterized by wooden walls and a wide, overhanging roof. The interior is often designed with wooden floors, and large, wooden fireplaces. Some examples of the log cabin architectural style include the Big Bear Discovery Center in Big Bear, California, and the Sawmill Buildings in Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The log cabin architectural style focuses on simplicity and functionality, and is found in many areas in Colorado.

Colorado is a beautiful state full of diverse and vibrant architectural styles. Whether you’re looking for a mountain contemporary style, a historic Victorian, or an A-frame cabin, you’ll find something to love in Colorado. From the snowcapped peaks of the Rockies to the rolling high-plains, the local architecture reflects the unique and varied landscape. From classic mountain cabins to sleek modern dwellings, every corner of Colorado has a unique style to discover. This guide will explore some of the most popular architectural styles found in Colorado, from classic A-frame cabins to the more modern Mountain Contemporary style. Whether you’re searching for a home of your own or simply looking to explore the diverse architecture of the state, this guide will provide you with a useful overview of some of the most stunning architectural styles in Colorado.

Colonial Style

The Colonial architectural style is an iconic example of the traditional architecture found in New England and the south-east. The style was popularized in the early 18th century, and was a result of the growing British Empire. This style is characterized by its symmetry, low-sloping roofs, and often-ornate doorways. The interior is typically designed in a simple palette of neutral tones, with large windows to let in lots of natural light. Some examples of the Colonial architectural style include the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg, Virginia, and the Old State House in Boston, Massachusetts. The Colonial architectural style is often found in Colorado among historic buildings in the state’s larger cities.

Craftsman Style

The Craftsman architectural style originated in the early 20th century, and is known for its open floor plans, and use of natural materials. This style is characterized by wide, overhanging eaves, large windows, and exposed wooden beams. The interior is typically designed with wood floors, and lots of built-in cabinets and shelving. Some examples of the Craftsman architectural style include the Gamble House in Pasadena, California, and the Jacobsen House in Coronado, California. The Craftsman architectural style is found in many areas in Colorado, including the larger suburbs in the Denver suburbs.

Mid-Century Modern

The Mid-Century architectural style was both functional and beautiful. This style was popular during the mid-20th Century, and is defined by its minimalist aesthetic, and use of natural materials. The Mid-Century architectural style is characterized by open floor plans, lots of natural light, and a sleek, modern aesthetic. The interior is often designed with light hardwood floors, and modern furniture. Some examples of the Mid-Century architectural style include the Eames House in Los Angeles, and the Farnsworth House in Plano, Illinois. The Mid-Century architectural style is found across Colorado, particularly in the larger suburbs of Denver.

A-Frame Cabins

The A-frame cabin is one of the most distinct architectural styles found in Colorado. This unique style was developed by the famous architect, Phillip Johnston in 1938. The A-frame cabin is characterized by two triangular-shaped roofs, and is often made with logs, wood slats, or wooden boards. The interior can be designed with a variety of materials, including wood, iron, and stone. Some examples of the A-frame cabin include the Aspen Art Museum and the Colorado Architecture Center in Aspen, and the Snowmass Village Town Hall in Snowmass. The A-frame cabin architectural style is found in many places in Colorado, particularly along the mountains.

Mountain Contemporary

The Mountain Contemporary architectural style is a modern take on the rustic cabin. This architectural style is characterized by large windows, wooden accents, and an open floor plan. The Mountain Contemporary architectural style is often built with logs, stone, and wooden beams. The interior is often designed with hardwood floors, and modern furniture. Some examples of the Mountain Contemporary architectural style include the One Ski Hill Place in Breckenridge, and the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum in Vail. The Mountain Contemporary architectural style is found across Colorado, particularly in the larger cities and towns.

Southwest Style

The Southwest architectural style is a blend of traditional, Spanish, and Mexican influences. This architectural style is characterized by adobe walls, stucco, and often features brilliant colors and patterns. The interior is often designed with natural materials like wood, stone, and adobe bricks. Some examples of the Southwest architectural style include the Taos Pueblo in Taos, New Mexico, and the San Francisco de Asis Mission in San Francisco, New Mexico. The Southwest architectural style is found in places in Colorado with a significant Spanish influence and history, such as Santa Fe.

Advantages of Local Architectural Styles

While every style has its merits, there are many advantages of choosing a local architectural style when building a new home. First, it’s more cost-effective, as you can reuse designs from other homes in the area. You’ll also save time, as there’s no need to wait for a custom design, which can take months. Finally, local architectural styles are often more energy-efficient, as they’re designed with local climate conditions in mind. For example, a traditional New England-style home will provide plenty of insulation during the long and cold winters, while a modern contemporary home may not. With a little research, you can find a local architectural style that meets your needs, looks amazing, and will save you money over the long run.

Victorian Style

The Victorian architectural style is a classic example of western architecture. This architectural style is characterized by ornate balconies and porches, as well as a wide, overhanging roof. The interior is often decorated with rich fabrics and wood, with large wood-paneled walls and fireplaces. Some examples of the Victorian architectural style include the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, and the Queen Anne Victorian House in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Victorian architectural style is found in many areas in Colorado, particularly in the larger cities.

Contemporary Architecture

If you’re looking for an architectural style that’s both modern and unique, the contemporary architectural style may be perfect for you. This architectural style is characterized by clean lines, large windows, and the use of light materials. The interior is often designed with hardwood floors, and large, open layouts. Some examples of the contemporary architectural style include the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Although the contemporary architectural style is popular across the country, it’s particularly prevalent in larger cities, and can be found in many areas in Colorado.

Rustic Log Cabins

Finally, if you’re looking for a rustic architectural style, the log cabin may be the perfect architectural style for you. This architectural style is characterized by wooden walls and a wide, overhanging roof. The interior is often designed with wooden floors, and large, wooden fireplaces. Some examples of the log cabin architectural style include the Big Bear Discovery Center in Big Bear, California, and the Sawmill Buildings in Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The log cabin architectural style focuses on simplicity and functionality, and is found in many areas in Colorado.