Framing the
experience SCHWEITZER’S NEW HOTEL, HUMBIRD By Dig Chrismer
I
t can be hard for some of us to look at architectural plans and really understand just what’s going on. Lots of lines and diagrams explaining how the roof aligns, where the windows sit, even which direction the bathroom doors will open. For the untrained eye, it can be a little complicated to understand. Such was the case when I first glanced at the initial plans for Humbird, Schweitzer’s new boutique hotel in the heart of Schweitzer’s village. Couple this confusion with terms like “exposed beams,” “the Glass Room,” “CLT construction,” and I was quickly overwhelmed by details. But as I’ve watched Humbird being built this past summer, it’s those details – the physical “coming to life” details – that are the most awe-inspiring to me. The exposed beams are rich in color and their sloping angles complement the existing nuances of our mountain’s terrain, the Selkirk Lodge’s
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Schweitzer Magazine | 2021 • 2022
gabled lines, and White Pine’s pitched roof peak. There is no doubt, Humbird is beautiful by design. Humbird fills a real, practical need for Schweitzer. As Tom Chasse, Schweitzer CEO and president, has explained repeatedly there aren’t enough places for people to stay on the mountain. It’s challenging at best to find a room over weekends and holidays, so as Tom explains, “we hope Humbird will help ease that lodging crunch a bit.” The 31-unit, ski-in/ski-out hotel is the creation of Portland-based architecture firm Skylab. Taking notes from Sandpoint’s strong timber and logging history, the design is contemporary in its flow and feel. According to Jeff Kovel, principal/design director at Skylab, “The building will be a state-of-the-art facility and feature heavy timber construction. Our goal is to provide a perfect venue for guests to relax, play, and revel in the natural beauty surrounding them.”