local
Beyond the Algorithm: Matter, and all its forms
By Bryan Welker and Stefan le Roux at Aspen Times
· June 30, 2026
· 5 min read
Aspen ’s design world is polished, expensive and exacting. At Matter Planning + Design, the firm founded by Noelle Hernandez and now carried forward with her daughter, Nicole, the work is also more intimate than it may seem. Their elevated designs are crafted around perfecting the flow of daily li...
Key takeaway That one-year experiment turned into 38 years.
Why this matters in Aspen News
Aspen's reputation for exacting design standards can make it a challenging place to establish a lasting business, but Matter Planning + Design has managed to thrive. The Hernandez family's success can be attributed to their attention to detail and commitment to understanding the daily lives of their clients. By focusing on the intricacies of how people live and interact with their spaces, they have built trust with their clients and established a reputation for delivering high-quality designs. This approach is particularly well-suited to Aspen, where residents often have high expectations for their homes and living spaces. The fact that Noelle Hernandez has personally renovated 12 homes in the area also gives her a unique understanding of the local market and the challenges of building and designing in Aspen's unique mountain environment. As a result, Matter Planning + Design has become a trusted name in the community, and their designs reflect a deep understanding of what it means to live in Aspen.
About this story
Original reporting by Aspen Times . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Aspen Times . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 5 min
Get more Aspen News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Aspen’s design world is polished, expensive and exacting. At Matter Planning + Design, the firm founded by Noelle Hernandez and now carried forward with her daughter, Nicole, the work is also more intimate than it may seem. Their elevated designs are crafted around perfecting the flow of daily li...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Bryan Welker and Stefan le Roux at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter