Presented by: HMH Architecture + Interiors

The Boulder Elks project began with a bold question: how can a historic lodge evolve to meet the needs of today’s Boulder while honoring its heritage? Our answer was to reimagine the entire building — not just as a clubhouse, but as a vibrant hub where wellness, culture, and connection intersect.

Our Vision was clear: mid-century California pool club meets classic mountain lodge — heritage reimagined for today’s Boulder. A place that balances nature and nurture, wellness and social energy, retro cool and modern style. The result is more than a lodge; it’s Boulder’s ultimate hangout, a timeless spot to connect, play, and recharge across generations.

Why It Works:

• Day Mode: Sweat, stretch, and get stuff done — fitness, wellness, coworking.
• Night Mode: Cocktails, culture, and connection.
• Always: Elevated food and drink, luxe amenities, and the best pool in town.

With this holistic vision in mind, we honed in on one of the project’s most essential spaces: The Café + Lounge.

This entry wisely recused itself from jury consideration—HMH has a few friendly faces on the Month of Modern Board, so winning their own award would have been frowned upon… and maybe a touch too meta!

The Café + Lounge

The Café + Lounge was designed as the all-day heartbeat of the Elks. More than a café, it serves as Boulder’s living room — where members and guests can start the day with coffee, host a meeting in the afternoon, and stay into the evening for cocktails, conversation, or cultural programming.

Our design intent was to create a space that feels both timeless and flexible: rooted in the Elks’ history of hospitality, while adapting seamlessly to the rhythms of contemporary life. Every choice — from program to material palette — was guided by one goal: encourage people to linger, cross paths, and feel at home.

Guiding Goals

• Keep It Local: Boulder hands build Boulder’s future. Labor, talent, and pride are rooted right here.
• Respect What’s Here: Smart updates, not wholesale replacement. Preserving the bones made the plan feasible and cost-conscious.
• Retro Spirit, Modern Ease: A nod to mid-century soul, reimagined with today’s comfort, flow, and style.
• Built to Last: Durable, sustainable choices designed for decades of community use.
• Community First: Every decision fuels connection—dollars, design, and memories stay local.

Design Approach

The Café + Lounge balances comfort and energy. Smaller seating nooks are tucked alongside larger communal tables, allowing both solo work and group gatherings to coexist. Circulation is intuitive, encouraging casual encounters while avoiding congestion.

Aesthetic direction was drawn from mid-century modern forms, layered with warm lodge-inspired materials. Wood, stone, and soft upholstery combine with abundant natural light to create an environment that is stylish, familiar, and enduring. Lighting shifts throughout the day — bright and energizing for mornings, warm and ambient for evenings — supporting the transformation from work to play.

Key Features

• Day-to-Night Flexibility: The Café + Lounge transforms with the clock, from laptop-friendly mornings to cocktail-driven evenings.
• Home Away from Home: Cozy corners and communal tables balance retreat and connection.
• Retro Spirit + Modern Ease: Vintage-inspired furniture and mid-century detailing paired with modern comfort.
• Fuel for Every Hour: Coffee, bites, and drinks that keep people returning throughout the day.
• Built for Connection: Talks, music, and pop-ups activate the space as a cultural stage.
• Neighborhood Anchor: Always open, always welcoming — a hub for members and the broader community.

Conclusion

At its core, the Café + Lounge is about designing for connection. It embodies the larger vision for the Elks: a place that blends history and modernity, energy and ease, daily life and special moments. Grounded in local talent, sustainable choices, and community-first values, it is more than a café — it is Boulder’s living room, and the centerpiece of a reimagined lodge designed to last for generations.