Suncadia Lodge in Cle Elum, Washington by Heliotrope Architects

3 days ago
2 min read

Located just 90 minutes east of Seattle, Suncadia is a four-season destination resort community located on the shoulder of the Cascade Mountain Range. The 6,400-acre community encompasses private residences, three golf courses and numerous amenity venues including a mountain lodge with convention center facilities, recreational spaces, spa, and an expansive trail system.

The lodge, a focal point for the resort, was poised for a refresh. The goal was to re-envision over 10,000-square-feet of the lodge’s public areas. To transform the experience, the design team was laser-focused on creating an authentic sense of place—reflective of the natural environment and cultural history of the greater Roslyn-Cle Elum region.

The design solution leans heavily on natural, locally sourced materials, drawing on the colors found in nature surrounding the lodge, utilizing details evocative of the region’s mining history, and above all, embracing expansive views. Windows have been enlarged to better connect with the landscape, the bar reoriented to utilize the mountains as a backdrop, and many interior partitions removed completely. Seating throughout the lobby, bar and dining room were carefully reconsidered to emphasize comfort and orientation relative to views and architectural features.

The bar and lobby are now one space, energizing both while increasing capacity as well as comfort. Supporting elements such as fine art and décor include custom commissions by local artists, and the many custom furniture and casework elements are sourced from local artisans and fabricators. Taken together, the renovated lodge spaces elevate the experience to not only a establish a strong sense of place but also a feeling of comfort and an expression of casual luxury through richness of material, a care of craft, and a thoughtfulness in detail.

Heliotrope Architects design team

Joe Herrin, AIA (Principal in Charge)

Renee Boone (Project Manager)

Rachel Belcher (Project Designer)

Consultant team

Interior Designer: Heliotrope Architects

Contractor: BNBuilders

Structural Engineer: Swenson Say Faget

Mechanical Engineer: BNBuilders

Lighting: Heliotrope Architects

Acoustical Engineer: Stantec Engineering

Kitchen Consultant: CMA