Ah, Sun Valley. Home of celebrities, amazing ski runs and… a visitor’s center modeled after an Apple store?
Sort of.
The resort area’s newly renovated visitor center, which will have its grand opening at 3 p.m. Friday, is a work of art.
Architect Susan Desko took a 1960’s vintage building that many thought was a tear-down and wrapped it in stacked wood brought in from surrounding forests. The entrance has log columns and that theme is carried within as well. The information desk is comprised of wood that comes from 13 dead standing timbers and stood on end to serve as the information desk, with massive Douglas fir stumps serving as stools.
Apple makes its appearance inside with staff equipped with iPads, not brochures, to help with searches for activities, restaurants and retailers. Designers want the focus to be on customer service and communication mixed with technology. Seven plasma screens around the center will stream local information.
And… if all that isn’t enough… the center has created a unique partnership with a new franchise Starbucks coffee shop. If you’re in the area, it’s certainly worth a stop.
