ASPEN CITY HALL

The design of Aspen City Hall integrates civic identity, urban context, and community accessibility, creating a welcoming public building that reflects Aspen’s distinct character and values.

Jim Kehoe led the site planning, programming, and overall design, guiding the project from early visioning through realization. His leadership ensured a cohesive approach that aligned functional requirements with a strong civic function and presence, carefully balancing municipal operations with public engagement.

The building is positioned between the Public Library and the County Courthouse, and overlooks Rio Grande Park to the north, responding to both its natural surroundings and its built context. The site design prioritizes clear circulation, intuitive access, and significant connections to adjacent public spaces, establishing City Hall as both a destination and a seamless extension of the pedestrian environment.

The programming brings together a range of civic functions, organized between the upper plaza and the lower Rio Grande. efficiency, and transparency. Public-facing spaces. including council chambers and community areas, are designed to be open, accessible, and inviting, reinforcing City Hall's role as a place for gathering and participation.

Materially and architecturally, the project reflects Aspen’s commitment to quality, durability, and environmental stewardship. The building is both LEED and WELL Building certified. The result is a contemporary civic building that is grounded and connected in the existing context as an enduring framework for local governance and public life.

Jim Kehoe as Design Leader with CCA