Rusty Parrot Lodge

The Rusty Parrot Lodge is a long-loved luxury destination in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 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. Across the street is Miller Park, a full town block of open space for community recreation gatherings. This dynamic location invites the architecture to be urban, but at the same time respectful to its immediate context.

A devastating fire in November 2019 burned the Rusty Parrot Lodge beyond repair creating a series of challenges for the design team. The Harrisons, owners of the Rusty Parrot Lodge, challenged the design team to re-capture the quirky spirit of the original Rusty Parrot building while conforming to the new form-based zoning standards required in the downtown core. The design team integrated roof decks on the upper levels which allowed the structure to step-back in scale and mass to compliment the transition from urban to neighborhood context. These unique outdoors spaces become guest amenities and a sense of discovery to enjoy the views of the park, adjacent mountains and wildlife. Signature elements from the former lodge were reinterpreted with arched bottom trusses in the gables featuring “crow’s feet” cross bracing, as well as arched openings within the stone walls indicating a hierarchy of movement.

Another ongoing challenge was the extremely compressed schedule required to attain approvals, permits, and break ground on the new hotel all within a year of the fire. Ongoing coordination and cooperation with the Town of Jackson has been critical to meet legally required submittal dates and public noticing requirements. The design team’s approach was centered around a sensitivity to town’s form-based standards, history of the site, and thoroughness of the submittal documents, culminating in a unanimous approval of the proposed design.

The primary design goal was to create balance, both in time and in place. Inspired by the great lodges of the West and the rugged, natural beauty of Jackson, the architecture is rooted in place balancing both the urban and rural context of the site. 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. The form is a balance between old and new, a timeless desire to remain rooted to the past yet relevant through the future.

Another design goal is hospitality. The Rusty Parrot is known throughout the country for its western hospitality and curated experience. That commitment to hospitality is woven throughout the fortified yet approachable architecture. The strong street frontage is interrupted by a porte cochere providing a protected vehicular arrival and departure. The gourmet restaurant feels like a good friend’s home with an open, exhibition style kitchen, a roaring 2-sided fireplace that is shared by the cozy den with a curated bar. The south facing courtyard conceals the underground parking below and brings the surrounding nature and sunlight into the property resulting in a tranquil garden respite for guests.

Sustainability is an on-going theme of the project with LEED and WELL criteria being major design drivers. The design team’s analysis of the sun studies was informative to the footprint of the building and respective program. The underground parking structure nearly doubled the usable area of the site, allowing the internal courtyard and surrounding rooms to enjoy southern exposure throughout the year. A natural aquifer deep below the site provides an opportunity for geothermal cooling, reducing the amount of roof top equipment and associated noise pollution. Biophilic experiences are integrated throughout the project with direct and indirect access to nature using light, views, materials, and patterns to evoke feelings of nature. Natural and local materials from the exterior extend to the inside, merging the surrounding landscape into the design.

A central theme of the project was a sense of discovery, an integral feeling of the original Rusty Parrot. A series of found moments are distributed throughout the hotel encouraging guest to explore and wander. An open grand stair is the central and defining element of the lobby and connects the lobby to the guest rooms above. The atrium is crowned with a public deck, dubbed the parrot’s roost, providing views to Miller Park and the surrounding landscape, once again connecting the Parrot to its time and place.

After a nationwide search we found an architectural firm, Rowland+Broughton, with a deep portfolio proving they were capable of capturing the residential feel and with the technical expertise from hotel design experience, and the bonus of experience in historic hotel renovations and preservation of western architecture.

Working with Rowland Broughton we assembled a team of consultants that has put together a plan that we think is strongly reminiscent of our heritage as the Rusty Parrot Lodge and representative of Jackson Hole. The team’s responsiveness to the intent of the LDR’s & design guidelines has been impressive. – Client, Brandon Harrison – Hotel Manager