Fireweed Hostel

Client: University of Colorado, State of Colorado Education System, Boulder County, CO

The Fireweed Hostel provides housing for 32 researchers and students at a remote alpine research station at 9600' altitude, west of the University of Colorado's Boulder campus. The challenges of budget, severe climate and short building season led to a repetitive uniform building system using pre-manufactured beams, columns, and sandwich panels to create an efficient passive solar structure to fit into a rustic mountain campus.  The Fireweed Hostel satisfies the University's need for research housing while also providing a "smart classroom" learning facility in a lodge-like environment.