About

Hi. I’m Cristian Basso, the creative mind behind COLAS Design, with a dual focus on landscape architecture and renewable energy solutions. I’m a licensed landscape architect in Colorado, with over a decade of expertise as a solar and energy storage representative for Sunsense, Inc.

My mission is to design beautiful and harmonious outdoor spaces that enhance the well-being of people and the ecosystems they inhabit, while customizing cutting-edge solar and energy storage solutions that reduce long-term costs and environmental impact.

I do this by understanding local ecology and energy consumption, fusing it with native plant selection, sculpting the earth, providing water-wise irrigation, designing and selecting art elements, and customizing high-performance solar capture and energy storage technology. Every element is meticulously considered to ensure a balanced and thriving environment.

Together, let’s create outdoor spaces that not only look and feel great, but also create cost savings for years to come, while contributing to a healthier Colorado.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Sustainable landscape architecture

  • Turn key solar and energy storage

  • Solar photovoltaics consulting and project development

  • Energy storage including micro-grids

  • Offset eco build fees Eagle County, CO

  • Fire mitigation and design

  • Master planning

  • Waterwise irrigation

  • Permitting

  • New construction

  • Construction documents & administration

  • Project Management

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Colorado Licenced Landscape Architect #742

  • Advanced Solar PV design (Solar Energy International)

  • Battery Based PV Design & Installation (Solar Energy International)

  • Grid Tied Solar PV Professional Certificate (Solar Energy International)

EDUCATION

  • Harvard University Graduate School of Design
    Masters Degree, Landscape Architecture

Mountain Zen

Mountain Zen is a term I use to describe a design aesthetic, drawing inspiration from Eastern philosophy, juxtaposed with the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Natural elements, including plants, stones, and water features, are carefully selected to engage all five senses and promote tranquility, while honoring balance with the neighboring ecology. Mountain Zen aims to create a harmonious outdoor gallery space to reconnect with yourself and the natural world.

  • "Cristian is a talented Landscape Architect, but more than that, he is a delightful man to work with. He listened to what we wanted and he created a garden that incorporated special details to fit our requests. Our garden is beautiful, tranquil and brings us a lot of enjoyment. Cristian was very actively involved from the original vision to the finishing touches. He was involved in plant/tree selections, specialty rock selections and their unique placement. He personally was involved in every aspect of our project. We have also contacted him for some additional landscaping to our property and he was enthusiastic and willing to help us again. We will continue to use Colorado Land Art Studio and Cristian's talents in the future! You will NOT be disappointed if you use him."

    Alexandra Linn, New Construction

  • "We are super excited to have our new solar installed and running as we speak. Cristian Basso was great to work with, answered all my many questions and communicated the whole way through. The installers and scheduling people were also extremely nice. I asked the installers to come inside to meet our 2 Newfoundlands so when they were working outside the dogs already knew they were OK :) I know this is not a normal request but was very helpful, and I so appreciated it. We also heard from all of our surrounding neighbors how nice these gentlemen were. Great team you all have there, thank you again for everything."

    Gigi and Scott, Gypsum, CO

  • "I requested bids from multiple providers with Sunsense Solar being listed as an HCE preferred installer. The engagement stood out from all other options from the start with Cristian Basso providing immediate attention and quick responses to all of my questions and concerns. He took the time to discuss thoroughly the options proposed, rebates/tax incentives available and tweaking the proposals to meet my needs from a timing and budget perspective. The professionalism and attention to detail performed by the technicians installing on the roof, and their master electrician installing all components and managing the permit process was top notch. The walkthrough after the install, through HCE energizing the system a review of the documentation for my records was given the attention to detail beyond my expectations. Even after all was done, any follow-up questions were quickly answered by their experts. I would highly recommend them."

    James V. Eagle, CO

FAQs

  • Landscape Architecture

    COLAS Design will provide an estimated design fee, based on an hourly rate and the projected number of hours needed to complete the scope of services. AHJ fees (Authority Having Jurisdiction fees) as well as materials and construction efforts are covered by the client. For all projects there is a deposit request at contract signing. The deposit amount depends on the scope of services listed in the signed agreement.

    Solar and Energy Storage

    A 25% deposit is due at contract signing.  Once deposit has been received, the customer account becomes active and a Sunsense engineer is assigned to your solar and energy storage project.  Upon completion of the permit set drawings, a 50% equipment payment is due once all approvals have been received.  The 50% equipment balance is due when all equipment has been shipped to the Sunsense warehouse.  Final Payment due upon passed inspection of both AHJ and utility.

  • Landscape Architecture

    The design and approval of your new landscape typically takes between 3-6 months from the time of signing. For construction, a project will typically need 2-5 months to install. It is highly advised to start designing in the fall for a spring/summer installation.

    Solar and Energy Storage

    Typically, it takes between 6-8 months from the time of contract signing to completion of your new solar and energy storage project. This timeline can vary based on demand as well as local AHJ and Utility schedules.

    Typical timeline:

    Month 1 - Project becomes active as soon as 10% deposit has been received.  Design and engineering begins.

    Month 2/3-Design is completed and the local AHJ and Utility approval process begins.

    Month 4/5 – First equipment deposit due.  Once received, the equipment procurement process begins.  Once Utility approval has been received, rebate reservations are secured and the engineering drawings are submitted to the local AHJ for permitting.

    Month 6 – Second equipment payment due once equipment has been received in the Sunsense warehouse.

    Month 7/8-Installation takes place. AHJ and Utility inspections take place.  Final payment due prior to energizing your new PV system.  Final documents are submitted to Utility.  Cash rebates are issued to customers 2-3 weeks after energization by Utility.

  • Landscape Architecture

    I am licensed in the State of Colorado, therefore will consider projects within the State of Colorado.  I am based in the town of Eagle, Eagle County, Colorado.  Areas that I typically serve include:  Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs.  Eagle, Pitkin, Summit, Routt Counties.

    Solar and Energy Storage

    I am the Eagle, Summit, and Routt county representative for Sunsense, Inc. and I am responsible for all solar and energy storage clients in this territory whether you are a residential, commercial, or utility scale client, new construction or retrofit.  I will consider specialty projects outside of the State and USA.

  • Yes, it is possible to hire me for either landscape architecture or solar/energy storage projects, however, COLAS Design focuses on serving clients who need both professional services, especially in Eagle and Pitkin counties of Colorado where new construction projects are eligible for either a REMP or Eco-Build fee offset.

  • Landscape Architecture

    We will discuss your project goals including initial design components, project timeline, and local AHJ regulations.  We will then set up a meeting to walk the site together so I may gather additional information and determine the best path forward. This way, a thorough project proposal can be outlined and submitted to you for design consideration.

    Solar and Energy Storage

    I have a list of basic project questions that will help determine which AHJ and Utility regulations need to be followed.  I will send you a Utility usage form to fill out so we can understand the allowable solar PV size issued by the Utility.  I will then schedule a site visit to inspect your main electrical service design and to strategize the best engineering design including the point of interconnection with the grid.  During this site visit, I will also assess whether a roof mount or ground mount is best. All solar assessment work is free of charge.  A proposal is then generated and issued to you within one week of my site visit.

  • Landscape Architecture

    No, however, COLAS Design generates a set of Construction Documents that will be bid to numerous contactors for pricing to be reviewed with my client.  COLAS Design and the client choose the landscape contractor together. I will then record all construction activity and supervise that construction so that all details are built to specification.

    Solar and Energy Storage

    Sunsense, Inc. installs all the solar and energy storage projects.  Sunsense, Inc, is a turn-key solar and energy storage contractor who has been in business for over 35 years and is the most trusted solar and energy storage contractor in the Western Slope of Colorado area.