The Mountain Village Code of Design Criteria (CDC) meticulously outlines architectural standards to preserve the town’s unique alpine aesthetic. Section 17.5/6, specifically, delves into crucial design elements for buildings, ensuring structures harmonize with the surrounding environment. This document provides a comprehensive overview of these regulations, focusing on key aspects like building form, roof design, materials, and color palettes.
Building Form and Exterior Walls: Grounding Structures in the Landscape
Section 17.5/6 emphasizes a grounded building form, resilient against harsh weather conditions. Structures should feature a solid base at ground level, utilizing materials like stone, metal, stucco, or wood. Windows and doors in stone or stucco exteriors require a minimum 5-inch recess, enhancing the sense of mass. In the Village Center, exterior walls play a vital role in defining public spaces, promoting a cohesive streetscape with soft angles and continuous flow.
Roof Design: Navigating Snow Loads and Aesthetics
Roof design under 17.5/6 necessitates a composition of multiple sloped planes, varied ridgelines, and vertical offsets. Dormers are permissible to add visual interest. Crucially, roofs must be engineered to prevent ice dams, with considerations for snow accumulation and shedding. The Design Review Board (DRB) may require stepped ridgelines to maintain proportionality and follow site topography. Roof drainage systems are mandatory in pedestrian areas, utilizing gutters, downspouts, and heat tape to manage runoff. Permitted materials include metal (rusted, bronze, black, or gray), zinc, slate, and copper with a brown patina finish. Synthetic materials emulating wood shake or slate may be considered. Specific DRB approval is required for solar roof tiles and green roofs. Wood shakes and asphalt shingles are generally prohibited except for minor repairs.
Material Selection: Blending with the Natural Surroundings
Exterior materials should primarily consist of natural stone, stucco (Village Center only), steel, and wood. Stone walls must constitute at least 35% of buildings with wood exteriors. Wood siding, shingles, logs, and timbers are acceptable, with specific guidelines for log diameter and corner detailing. Metal siding options include rusted corrugated, sheet metal panels, zinc, and copper, subject to DRB approval. Stucco, permitted in the Village Center, should be applied over large surfaces with smooth, undulating textures. Non-combustible and sustainable materials may be considered with specific DRB approval. Prohibited materials include rough-sawn plywood, aluminum, fiberglass, vinyl siding, and, with limited exceptions, concrete.
Color and Glazing: Harmonizing with the Landscape
Exterior colors must complement the natural environment, favoring warm, subtle earth tones. Windows must adhere to energy code requirements and good solar design principles, with a maximum area of 40% of the building facade. Recessed windows are mandatory in stone and stucco walls. Window frames and trim should be wood, anodized aluminum, or copper clad. Mirrored glass and vinyl windows are prohibited. Doors and entryways should utilize handcrafted materials where possible. Garage doors must be aesthetically pleasing, with restrictions on plain panel or roll-up doors.
Conclusion: Adhering to Mountain Village’s Design Vision
Section 17.5/6 of the Mountain Village CDC provides a detailed framework for building design, emphasizing harmony with the natural landscape and the town’s distinct architectural character. By understanding and adhering to these regulations, developers can contribute to the enduring beauty and integrity of Mountain Village. Compliance ensures structures not only withstand the challenging alpine environment but also enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the community.
