About Sipes Architects

Sipes Architects teamshot2

As architects in Vail with a deep commitment to sustainable architecture. We know good design is achieved through collaboration and inspiration. We are a team of architects, explorers, problem solvers, and artists – united by our passion for design. We bring a variety of interests to the table and value what makes us unique individuals. Collectively, we have over 70 years of experience in residential and commercial architecture. Our team believes in using this experience to serve our clients and the communities in which we reside through well-crafted design and the integrity in our work.

Our Team of Design Enthusiasts

Brian Sipes, founding principal of Sipes Architects, smiling outdoors, showcasing commitment to sustainable architecture and design excellence in Vail, Colorado.

Brian Sipes

AIA, LEED AP
FOUNDING PRINCIPAL

Brian created Sipes Architects to be a firm of curious people passionate about design and its ability to enrich our clients’ lives. We are a team who are willing to push each other to continuously learn and polish our craft.  He loves custom homes and renovations because of the very real impact they have and the relationships they foster with our clients. He also enjoys the design freedom and exploration of ideas involved with working directly with the people who will inhabit the spaces he creates.  His designs are driven by site, form and the daily and seasonal experiences of the occupants.

Brian believes in giving back to the community and currently serves as Board Member and the Chairperson of the Walking Mountains Facilities Committee, serves on the AIA Government Affairs Committee and the AIA Colorado West Section Committee and is a past Co-Chair for the AIA Committee on the Environment. He is a current member of the Avon Planning and Zoning Commission, and a past two-term elected Avon Town Council person and elected member of the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District board.

Todd, partner at Sipes Architects, smiling outdoors, wearing a patterned shirt, showcasing expertise in architectural design and a passion for outdoor activities.

Brandt Shwayder

LEED AP
SENIOR PROJECT DESIGNER

Brandt brings to the studio over two decades of experience in custom residential and hospitality-focused commercial architecture in Colorado. He has a passion for 3d modeling and visualization as well as a focus on attention to detail in design and construction.

Beyond architectural design, Brandt is an avid automobile enthusiast, beer geek and a home coffee roaster. He enjoys spending time with his family and traveling to beautiful places, especially wine country in California and the beaches and mountains of Hawai’i.

​Brandt holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree from University of Colorado, Boulder and a Master of Architecture degree from University of Colorado, Denver. He attained LEED AP accreditation in 2009.

Danielle Hrdina, AIA architect, smiling in professional attire, showcasing her passion for architecture and collaboration at Sipes Architects in Vail, Colorado.

Danielle Hrdina

AIA, ARCHITECT

Danielle is an architect who is passionate about merging technical rigor, artistic intuition, and a deep respect for collaboration. She approaches architecture as a dialogue between people, place, and craft—one grounded in listening closely to clients and translating their values, needs, and personalities into thoughtful, responsive design solutions.

Outside the office, her practice as an artist informs how she understands space, material, and rhythm in her architectural work. Hiking, skiing, and living in the mountains continue to inspire her approach to these creative pursuits.

Danielle holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Missouri–Columbia and a Master of Architecture from Southern Illinois University. She is a licensed architect in Colorado and is an active member of the AIA Emerging Professionals group.

View Danielle’s Art Work