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The Rusty Parrot Lodge is a long-loved luxury destination in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
In November 2019, the original hotel unfortunately burned down. R+B was given the brief to rebuild “The Parrot” with the spirit of the past hotel yet take the architecture, design and legacy into the future.
The site is set on the edge of town, at the convergence of the town grid and the rural back drop of Flat Creek and East Gros Ventre Butte. This unique location, at the corner of Jackson Street and Gill Avenue, allows the architecture to stand apart, addressing both the downtown core and the surrounding landscape. Across the street is Miller Park, a full town block of open space for community gatherings.
Inspired by the great lodges of the west and the rugged, natural beauty of Jackson, the architecture is rooted in place. The stone base anchors the building and serves as a remnant of a former life on the site. Emerging from the stone walls are strong, three-story gabled roofed forms that purposely step in and out creating a rhythm of balconies along the facade. Terraces on the upper level are discovered places, overlooking the park and wildlife on the adjacent butte. Elements from the former lodge are reinterpreted as arched bottom trusses in the gables with “crows feet” cross bracing and special arched openings within the stone walls.
The building engages its context, welcoming both visitors and locals. The strong street frontage is interrupted by a porte cochere providing a protected vehicular drop-off. A large glass portal in the stone facade exposes the den and restaurant to the street, with a view connecting through to the interior landscaped courtyard. The gourmet restaurant feels like home with an open, exhibition style kitchen. The south facing courtyard conceals the underground parking and brings the surrounding nature and sunlight into the property resulting in a tranquil garden respite for guests.
Natural materials from the exterior extend to the inside, again merging the surrounding landscape into the design. An open stair from the lobby to all three levels becomes a central defining element, leading guests to the various types of guest rooms. Handcrafted heirloom furniture pieces give character and uniqueness to each room. Through every detail, the heritage of place and Western hospitality will once more shine at The Rusty Parrot.
The renderings produced for this project were critical to the success of the swift design process. They helped bring the building and ideas to life and gave confidence to the clients. In turn, the renderings were used to gain unanimous support from the Town of Jackson, immediately translating the ideas on paper into a building that people can visualize.
