Yearly, nearly a million people ascend to the summit of Pikes Peak, where they are rewarded with views that inspired “America the Beautiful.” The careful placement and sensitive design of this new visitor center at 14,115 feet, the highest facility of its type in the world, places the focus on the stunning landscape, allowing boundless sky and views to take center stage.
Embedded into the mountainside, the low-rise structure is seemingly carved from the peak. Its form and materials, with stone inspired by Pikes Peak granite, evoke the crags and rock formations found above the trees. From below, the building appears of the mountain rather than one on the mountain, yet as visitors arrive at the summit it emerges as a clear destination.
Entering from the peak, visitors are awed by the framed view of Mt. Rosa, the summit that Zebulon Pike climbed in 1806. The architecture of the pavilion highlights the relationship between the two landforms; the viewing angle from the upper lobby to Mt. Rosa slopes down 3.5-degrees, with the same angle echoed by the roof’s upward slope. Stairs to the main level appear to fold down out of the mountain, as visitors descend to the main floor to access exhibits, dining, a gift shop, and restrooms. Warm, rustic colors and natural materials, including locally-sourced timber, further connect the interior to the landscape. With its terraced design, the building itself serves as an ideal platform from which to survey the views. Featuring two accessible roof decks, an elevated viewing platform, and a network of protected walkways, the new visitor center stages a series of opportunities to experience the drama of the landscape.
Understanding the immense challenges of building within this extreme setting, environmental stewardship became a driver of the design and led to the pursuit of both Living Building Challenge and LEED Silver certifications. Passive design strategies contribute to a 75% energy reduction over the previous facility, starting with the building’s southern orientation to take full advantage of the enhanced solar gain at altitude and daylight harvesting. This passive solar design, combined with offsite solar PV, results in net positive energy. A highly insulated concrete shell and in-floor radiant heating, together with the thermal mass of reclaimed fill below the floor slabs and of the stone cladding, help to retain heat. These strategies equip the building for an extreme climate where temperatures can drop to negative 40 degrees. Additional strategies include a vacuum system for toilets and blackwater to greywater conversion saving 350,000 gallons of water yearly, building zones that vary in temperature, and biophilic principles. The building is constructed of materials that are free of toxic red-list chemicals and materials, including a simple exterior palette of sandstone, bird-friendly glass, and weathering steel. New site pathways help control foot traffic and protect the newly restored delicate tundra vegetation while the aforementioned etched pattern curtain wall glazing minimizes strikes from migratory and large predator birds. A rainwater/snow collection-ready design is in place should rainwater harvesting receive future state approval.
Category:Green ArchitectureYear:2025Location: Cascade, Colorado, USA Architects:GWWO ArchitectsAssociate Architects: RTA ArchitectsGeneral Contractor:GE Johnson Construction CompanyDesign Team:Alan Reed, Amanda Moore, Patrick Fava, and Zach Grajewski, Stuart Coppedge, Mike Riggs, and Brian T. CalhounClient: Pikes Peak–America’s Mountain, City of Colorado SpringsPhotographers:Nic Lehoux Windstar Studios
