Our primary goal is the creation of excellent architecture.

We are a small firm, which allows us to be very hands-on and passionate about a few special projects. Each project is an integration of context, environment, design skills and individual clients' tastes to create unique, site-specific architecture.

– Jack Snow & Sally Brainerd, Co-Founders of RKD Architects, Inc.

RKD Architects, Inc. specializes in resort and mountain architecture. The company was established in Vail, Colorado in 1989 by Sally Rich Brainerd and Jack Krusen Snow, AIA. Since that time, RKD has designed architecturally significant projects across the country - from California to Cape Cod, and from Florida to Big Sky, Montana. A "green" home in Edina, MN was the feature of a documentary which aired in Minnesota on Fox Television about green design and building practices. This home, "the Green Fin" was featured in The Wall St. Journal in 2009- "The Low Emissions Estate".

RKD has been featured in numerous national and international publications including: Architectural Digest, Luxury Living, The Wall Street Journal, Mountain Living, The New York Times, Western Art and Architecture, Colorado Homes & Lifestyles and LUXE.

Mountain Living Magazine | Top 100 Architects & Designers 2020

Luxe Magazine’s Red Awards | Regional Winner 2019

Design Et Al International Design & Architecture Awards | Best Ski Chalet 2015

American Institute of Architects, Colorado West | Merit Award for outstanding achievement in design excellence

JACK SNOW, AIA

“I dislike trends, because they often become repetitive, and that’s just boring.”

Since founding Rich and Krusen Design, Inc. in 1990, Jack has been creating environmentally responsive and innovative, sculptural architecture. He has been a licensed general contractor and has personally supervised the construction of dozens of high-end residences and commercial projects. Jack has vast experience and knowledge in the design and construction of custom residential homes, speculative homes, commercial and retail developments as well as multi-family developments. Jack earned a Bachelor of Arts from Hobart College and a Master of Architecture from the University of Colorado.

SALLY BRAINERD, AIA

“I’m happiest as an architect when every aspect of a home reflects a definitive part of a plan. Good design doesn’t happen by accident.”

Sally is a Principal Architect and Vice President of RKD Architects, Inc. which she founded with Jack in 1990. Since then, Sally has specialized in innovative architectural design, creative, cost-effective use of varied materials – both residential and commercial. She has designed hundreds of projects in Eagle County in developments such as Cordillera, Mountain Star, Buffehr Creek, Lake Tahoe, Martis Camp, Arrowhead, and Beaver Creek. Her commercial projects can be found in Eagle, Edwards, Vail, and Dillon, Colorado. Sally’s projects have been featured extensively in publications for their dynamic designs and focus on sustainable and energy-efficient structures.

THE EXPERIENCE

Our process is interactive and driven by the site itself and by you, the client. Each project has its own set of parameters and the fun is in solving this puzzle through good design. Projects are generally organized into 5 stages: Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Negotiations, and then Construction Administration.

PRAISE

“RKD Architects, inc. has spent the past 25 years crafting contemporary, angular, and energy efficient homes both here and across the west. Their marvelous, truly unique creations blend environmentally friendly concepts with cutting edge design work, resulting in private homes and commercial buildings that buck the big timber trend but are still livable, impressive, and entirely compatible with the High Country experience.”

– Vail Home Magazine