In Spring 2022, Ford Architects served as the design architect for a new early childhood education center located at the southern edge of Burlingame Ranch in Aspen, Colorado. The project team also included RDG Planning & Design, responsible for interior design, and Land+Shelter Architecture & Planning as architect of record. This collaborative effort was initiated in response to the growing demand for quality childcare for permanent residents and working families throughout the Roaring Fork Valley.

Early in the design process, Ford Architects investigated integrating housing on-site alongside the childcare facility. After careful evaluation, it was determined that other sites in the region were more conducive to housing development, so that component was separated into different projects.

The approved Phase 1 design proposes a 13,500-square-foot facility with seven classrooms, serving up to 94 children from infancy through preschool age. Surface parking for 36 to 46 vehicles ensures convenient access for families and staff. The building is thoughtfully nestled into the hillside to minimize visual impact and harmonize with the natural surroundings.

Sustainability and energy efficiency are central to the design vision. The building features Passive House-level air sealing and an ultra-efficient super-insulated envelope constructed from structural insulated panels (SIPs), providing enhanced thermal comfort and energy performance. The center’s high-performance window systems utilize insulated fiberglass frames with suspended film quadruple panes, high solar heat-gain glazing, and warm-edge spacers to maximize insulation and daylight.

Intelligent building systems include occupancy, daylighting, and CO₂ sensors that optimize energy use and indoor air quality. Onsite solar electric generation is provided by a rooftop photovoltaic (PV) array complemented by additional PV canopies in the parking lot, supporting the goal of net-zero energy performance.

Additional energy-saving features include low-flow domestic hot water fixtures, heat pump water heaters operating efficiently at minimum temperatures as low as 17°F, and the use of carbon-sensitive materials such as mass timber and cross-laminated timber (CLT) beams, reinforcing the project’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

The Aspen Burlingame Early Education Center has received Town Council approval and is awaiting funding to advance construction. Once completed, it will provide a vital community resource—offering welcoming, daylight-filled classrooms designed to foster early childhood development and family well-being in a supportive, nature-connected environment.