BackCounty, Highlands Ranch Colorado’s Premiere Gated Community, Earns Dual Nods for Its Sundial House’s Design and Innovation

In just a week’s time, one of Colorado’s state-of-the-art structures has received two prestigious awards for its groundbreaking design and architecture.

BackCountry’s Sundial House, designed by local Colorado architect, Mike Woodley of Woodley Architectural Group, Inc. -- envisioned as a luxurious, private retreat and as the central gathering point for a variety of activities and social interaction in the gated Highlands Ranch neighborhood – has gained The National Association of Home Builder’s Sales and Marketing Council’s The Nationals Gold Award for Best Clubhouse, Sales or Information Center as well as Best In American Living’s (BALA) Platinum Award for a Community Facility.

In its 29th year, The Nationals pays tribute to superior new-home sales and marketing achievements. Gold Award Winners of The Nationals emerge from judging that includes assessment by some the industry’s most astute marketing professionals. Architects and builders join marketing colleagues in the judging panels along with market-research consultants, trade publishers, and senior editors.

BALA awards -- sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders -- recognizes creative excellence and acknowledges groundbreaking design from across the country.

“From its conception, we wanted to create a community focal point that was as bold and iconic as the Front Range’s rocky peaks,” says Woodley. “All along we were aiming for something breathtaking and I couldn’t be happier that it’s resounded so powerfully with the design community.”  

Stone, beams and spires recall Highlands Ranch’s hallmark windmill and the crescent design pays homage to the sun, celestial time and the seasons. Dramatic and rustic, BackCountry’s Sundial House – opened in August 2010 -- enjoys panoramas from Downtown to Longs and Pikes Peaks, to 8,200 acres of the Backcountry Wilderness Area. Residents are now enjoying the center which includes grand terraces and outdoor patios, Pike’s Pub, a demonstration kitchen, fitness and movement studios, and spa treatment rooms.

“It truly is the crown jewel of the entire community,” says Chetter Latcham, Shea Homes, Colorado Division President, whose company is the developer of Highlands Ranch and BackCountry . “It’s a literal and symbolic gesture to our relationship with the rugged land and is a celebration of the wilderness and open space which inspired BackCountry from the start. Not only is it beautiful, it’s relevant and our residents are finding it a one-of-a-kind amenity that adds to the value of their homes and the community overall.”

BackCountry can be reached by going south from C-470 on Broadway to just south of Wildcat Reserve Parkway and more information is available on www.BackCountryCO.com or by calling the Discovery Center at 720-344-9600.

Contact Information

Cheryl Haflich

Marketing Director

Shea Homes - Colorado Division

Contact via E-mail