An elevated view of the landscape and cultural setting that make Aspen, Colorado, a legendary destination 

Tucked into a remote valley along the Roaring Fork River and surrounded by a majestic Rocky Mountain landscape, Aspen is a unique destination. Its magnificent, rugged landscape is home to luxe ski resorts, world-class museums, and stunning private retreats.

Private Aspen is an exclusive invitation to explore eighteen elegant modernist houses. Built from materials such as reclaimed wood and local stone, with expansive views out through glazed walls, these stunning private residences reflect the grandeur of their setting.

Richly illustrated with more than 150 photographs, the book showcases houses by nationally acclaimed architects including Peter Bohlin, Takashi Yanai, Chad Oppenheim, and Charles Gwathmey, as well as Aspen-based firms CCY and Rowland & Broughton. Interviews with the house owners and designers offer an insider’s perspective on this special place.

With a striking design evoking Aspen’s modernist heritage and authoritative text, Private Aspen captures the connection between these remarkable houses and the environment that surrounds them.

‘[One of] the year’s most beautiful releases.’ – Elite Traveler

‘Private Aspen makes the case for modernist architecture that’s equally compelling and deeply contextual… a visual journey for design enthusiasts and a timely commentary on how architecture can—and must—respond to place.’ – Modern in Denver

‘Readers journey through the rugged Rockies to meet the owners and designers of 18 elegant contemporary homes embedded into the steep terrain, offering a captivating glimpse into the famed Colorado resort town’s private world.’ – Galerie Magazine

‘Presented at a generous scale, this is a look inside some of Aspen’s most striking contemporary homes—18 modernist hideaways folded into the Rocky Mountains.’ – The Interior Review

‘An exceptional showcase of eighteen residences nestled in one of North America’s most celebrated landscapes.’ – Curated Texan

‘An insider’s view by Helen Thompson of Colorado’s ritziest ski town… Reclaimed wood and local stone abound.’ – Vanity Fair

Helen Thompson is a nationally known writer on interior design and architecture. She is the author of highly successful trio Marfa Modern (2016), Texas Made/Texas Modern (2018), and Santa Fe Modern (2021) and a contributor to Hocker 2005-2020 Landscapes (2020), all published by Monacelli. She lives in Santa Fe, NM.

David Marlow is an acclaimed architecture and interiors photographer and a contributing photographer to Architectural Digest.