Inside the Pasture

A Community Hub to Which the People of Ketchum, Idaho, Flock

This exuberant social space was once an empty lot enhanced with little more than gravel topdressing, scattered furniture and sensational scenery featuring iconic Idaho landmarks: Bald Mountain (known affectionately as Baldy by the locals), Warm Springs and Griffin Butte. Bold sheep motifs, part of the branding for the adjacent building, Hotel Ketchem, were falling into place when Jeff Bay, managing director for the hotel, called for assistance from BYLA Landscape Architects.

When Chase Gouley, principal and owner at BYLA, and his team entered the scene, they immediately saw the potential to create something that tourists and community members would both adore. There was just one problem: a busy highway forming a rift between the lot and the mountain wonderland beyond.

“We had to think, ‘Do we just create a big screen or something that blocks the highway? Is that going to take too much away with the fantastic Baldy view?’” says Chase. “We also had to think from a safety perspective. Cars are going past quickly, and the only thing separating the space from the cars is the sidewalk.”

Hotel Ketchum Plans ©BYLA Landscape Architects

Corral-style fencing with a wooden archway was seen as the most fitting safety solution after Chase’s business partner, Ben Young, in honor of the sheep theme, dubbed the lot “the Pasture.” Drawing attention away from the highway and making the space feel intriguing and comfortable throughout Idaho’s notorious winters required more trips to the drawing board.

“Public spaces are really fun,” says Chase. “This project was small enough that we had to think about breaking things up so that, if I’m sitting in my little eight by eight circular firepit area, I feel disconnected from the person 10 feet away. That’s where the plant material came in.”

"We mixed shrubs & perennials to create outdoor rooms that feel like your own little oasis."

On the outskirts of these intimate social bubbles, the BYLA team also wanted to leave room for spontaneous connections and larger social gatherings. One evening, a person might go to the Pasture at Hotel Ketchum to drink hot cocoa with friends. On another occasion, the same person might find themselves dancing with the rest of the town to live music there.

“The town of Ketchum doesn’t have a whole lot of these outdoor gathering areas right now, at least none as vibrant as this,” says Chase. “We wanted to create something the whole community could enjoy, bringing in food trucks and hosting dark sky experiences. They can even do little pop-up events like they have done with Kemo Sabe rolling their trailer in and selling cowboy hats.”

With the pathway the team strategically positioned to lead from the lobby to the rooms, the Pasture is one of the first amenities Hotel Ketchem guests see. It grabs their attention and sticks in their mind as a place to wind down later. Chase occasionally drives by the project on his way to run errands and, when he does, he is always pleased to see happy faces inside, especially in chilly weather.

Besides the popularity of the space, the team also finds satisfaction in the drought tolerance and low maintenance of the environment. They consolidated water use with a native plant palette, chose thermally modified wood for the deck and opted for permeable surfaces where possible.

“In Idaho, people have certainly over-watered their yards in the past, and there’s a big push now to be more water conscious,” says Chase. “We are trying to be at the forefront of that. It’s all about plant selection, timing, your maintenance program and trying to wean plants off of water more often.”

Nestled among trees and other vegetation reminiscent of the local countryside are furniture selections carefully curated by the BYLA team. Lounge chairs made with recycled materials surround the custom circular firepits constructed from exposed steel harkening back to the exposed steel on the hotel exterior. Umbrellas, providing cool shade in the summer, are complemented by custom-fabricated black walnut stumps and timber benches.

Although it’s unmistakable that considerable thought and effort went into the ambiance, Chase also wants to recognize the work behind the scenes.

“What makes a project successful is the team, right?” says Chase.

"It’s not just the design, because,
without the team, it’s just an idea."

“The contractor, Baba Street, owner of Big Rock Construction, was a jack of all trades. He organized the fencing and gate installation, the deck outside of the retail space, brought in Sun Valley Garden Center for landscape installation and coordinated with JG Works LLC for the colorful gate signage fabrication. In addition to Baba, Michael Doty Associates designed the new retail space, currently listed for rent, which sits under the new sheep mural.”

That team is responsible for giving this town its outdoor living room. What a charming thought: a whole community acting like one big family huddling around fires and forming connections. That’s the power a collaborative landscaping project can have. Each entity involved in a project like this owes it to the community to work a little like sheep, synchronized through every step.

Get In Touch With...

Chase Gouley, Co-Owner of BYLA Landscape Architects

Phone: (208) 726–5907
Email: info@byla.us

www.byla.us