Aspen Distillers

Aspen Distillers, located in Basalt, Colorado, was designed and built as a new kind of distillery — one that produces exceptional spirits in harmony with the land. The project was an opportunity to shift the paradigm in how spirits are manufactured. Aspen Distillers’ vision requires innovative thinking by pushing the limits of traditional sustainability. The project is on-track to be the first Full Petal Living Building Challenge distillery in the world.  

The distillery’s campus identity is defined by its alpine ecology, its surroundings along the Rio Grande Trail, and outdoor gathering spaces that contribute to the thriving local ecology. The main courtyard is bounded east by a tiered seating landscape and west by a harvest table and communal space, marking the public core of Aspen Distillers. The orientation to the west affords the public realm stunning sunset views behind mountain peaks and the Roaring Fork Valley – the boundary of native landscape and alpine wilderness blending into and out from the distillery’s campus.

The distillery is designed to generate more renewable energy than it consumes in operation with onsite solar and battery storage – contributing to one of the nation’s cleanest energy grids. The wastewater generated by the distilling process is treated onsite and returned to the local ecology to ensure a resilient Colorado River Basin while also supporting the onsite urban agriculture. Aspen Distillers’ environmental commitment began prior to construction with the salvage of all waste from the site demolition for reuse by local partners. In construction the limited waste generated, after optimizing the building’s design, was diverted from the landfill. The project promotes a materials economy that is ecologically restorative, non-toxic, transparent, and socially equitable.