Example of a floor plan

Whether you are starting from scratch, or you have already done an initial set of drawings on the back of an envelope, Faye will take your ideas and put them into the computer. There will probably be many discussions and changes during this process as you work through details such as the kitchen size, number of windows, stair locations, etc.

This process is broken up into two phases – the Schematic Design Phase, and the Design Development Phase.

Example of an elevation

During the Schematic Design Phase, Faye will work out the scale and relationship of the project components for you to approve.  Then, during the Design Development Phase, she will create drawings and other documents to fix and describe the size and character of the entire project as to structural, mechanical, and electrical systems materials and such other essentials as may be appropriate.

It will also be during these phases that either you or Faye (as dictated by your contract) will arrange for any required surveys or soils testing.  While this process often happens before a builder is selected, this is a very good time to involve the builder if possible.  (See the next post in this series where we discuss the builder and engineers.)

Ready to set up your free consultation?  Call Faye today to discuss your unique new home or customized remodel: (303) 271-1553.

House under construction with Table Mesa in the background

Faye has worked closely with the owners of this home in Golden, Colorado to make it express the distinct style of the family.  The house is on one of the last lots available on the south side of Table Mesa.  They chose this site for its stunning views, but the steepness of the lot presented a challenge.

The house embodies the clients’ desire for contemporary forms and a comfortable home, and its unique structural solutions demonstrate Faye’s ability to combine engineering and art. The structural elements used in the design add strength as well as a distinctive style. Native stone was hand-selected and each stone was then cut before put into place in the interior design and landscaping.

The blend of native features and contemporary mountain style, along with a well-planned family-friendly layout and stunning architectural details set this home apart. This house will be completed in Spring 2012 and local materials were used whenever possible, including Colorado granite and sandstone.

Glulam beams supporting roof over outdoor living space

Main hallway with hand-cut stone and exposed beams

Planning drawing

Much planning went into how the structure of the building would sit on the steep lot and would hold up the roof and floors.  The structural elements used in the design add strength as well as a distinctive style — this home is like no other in the area!

You can see the exposed beams and columns (made from glulam – glued laminated timber) set perpendicular to the roof.  The columns add a detailed rhythm to the interior and exterior spaces.

3-D Model of the home

Elevations

Getting the Horses Ready

Here are some pictures of a recently completed new home on 70 acres of meadow and Ponderosa pine in Beulah, Colorado.

This very picturesque — and thoroughly “Colorado” – site is the new home for a family that loves the outdoors, horses and riding.  Beulah Highlands is around 25 miles west of Pueblo and is within walking and riding distance of the quarry that provided the marble for the Colorado State Capital in Denver.

We designed a Contemporary Colorado Ranch Home with the owners’ lifestyle directing the design.  This home is energy-efficient with geothermal heating and cooling which offers year-round comfort in a locale that ranges from hot summers to snowy winters. Protection from the western summer sun was very important in the overall design.  A great deal of thought and care went into the placement of the home on the land to insure the best views for the interior living spaces and sensitivity to the overall existing topography. A protected courtyard off the kitchen offers secluded tranquility for an evening fire
on cool fall days.

From the owners:

“There is nothing like having your own custom home designed for the way you live.  There is plenty of storage in the right location for muddy boots, coats and gear. We can enjoy watching the horses and the sunset! Faye designed our home for the Colorado lifestyle that we love to live!”

There will probably be many questions that you can’t answer right away and that’s OK! As you work through the process, you will gradually fill in all the blanks. And simply having a detailed document like the Program will help you understand the process without forgetting important aspects, or becoming overwhelmed.

Once I have reviewed your Program, we will meet to clarify any questions I may have about your goals and you will have an opportunity to discuss the process, fees, and schedule.  We will also make a visit to the construction site.  This will helpme anticipate any unique design considerations necessary to the topography of the site and will give you an opportunity to further convey your vision to me (i.e. ”I want a huge picture window looking out over this valley.”)

After viewing the site and meeting to discuss your goals I will provide you with an AIA approved contract, which outlines what I will and will not do. For example, if I am to locate and monitor the General Contractor or not, or if I am to monitor the budget.

Once you have decided to go ahead, and have signed the contract, I become your architect!  I’ll be looking out for your interests and keeping your style and needs in mind every step of the way. I will be there through every process to help you with the project and will stand beside you as we watch YOUR home come together!

Are you ready to go?  Call me today for your free consultation about your special new home: (303) 271-1553.

Faye,

Your web site looks great.  I am very fond of the featured house!

We both love living in this wonderful home that you designed.  You are so good at what you do and wonderful to work with.  What a team we had!  It all started when you asked me what I wanted instead of designing what you liked.  In addition you understood what I wanted maybe even more than I did.  Thank you.

If you would ever like to show it to prospective clients we would be happy to show it.  I also would be happy to talk to anyone you want about your wonderful work.

Thanks again,

Jane

“A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere.”   Joyce A. Myers

Is your dream is to design your own home, built on your dream lot in your own setting?  If so, call me!  I can help you realize that dream.

I want to make the architectural process simple, straight forward, and exciting for you!

For many, building a dream home is a once in a lifetime event. It is the single most important dream and investment ever contemplated. Contrary to what many believe, working with a great architect will  SAVE you time and money. By managing costs while listening to your desires, an architect will help balance between your dream and your budget.

 “Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things. And the reason they were able to do that was that they’ve had more experiences or they have thought more about their experiences than other people.

“Unfortunately, that’s too rare a commodity. A lot of people in our industry haven’t had very diverse experiences. So they don’t have enough dots to connect, and they end up with very linear solutions without a broad perspective on the problem. The broader one’s understanding of the human experience, the better design we will have.”

 Steve Jobs in Wired, February 1996

Frank Lloyd Wright was know for “Form Follows Function”. But Steve Jobs made both work well together with great design. I have truly enjoyed being a part of this movement.  Our world has change as a result of the Apple computer, which has been the only type of computer I have used and purchased for the business or personal use. They have change how we do business, how we present our projects and in many ways our creative thought process.

This is a tool that I believe my business has taken advantage of and in essence Apple Computers has become my business consultant and partner over the years – And I find Their software works so well!!

During my Architectural training , hand drawing and drafting techniques were the way projects were presented . Now we send CAD drawings, sketches, photos, etc. from our computer almost instantly to other parts of the country and world for our clients .

 The Mac was not cool years ago whey we had the Macintosh Apple Lisa . Now I wish that we would have held on to it just to show the kids.

I can take a picture from my I-Phone of a project under construction and send it to client instantly. My 16-year-old son takes great pride in showing me how to do this. He has become an “Apple geek.” I think we own every piece of Apple equipment.

How many times now have I retrained myself in the use of technology and I can always figure this out with the Apple computer. (Mostly always – if not it is usually something simple.)

Remodel - Lakewood Colorado

I find it more fun to learn new things with the computer. Our software package is Vectorworks, (design for use with the Apple computer) and has a high powered 3-D package. Our firm’s current goal is learning the 3-D aspect of the program. It has been fun and challenging . I will keep you posted as to our progress. The first project we recently put into 3-D has helped the client move forward with the project.

We are a visual world! ! !  Thanks Steve Jobs for helping us get here!

Quote from the owners:  “The house design really fits our lifestyle now, not the other way around.  We really never want to leave!  Now everyone comes to our house. We realized how many lifestyle compromises we made due to the design and planning of our previous home, and we’re grateful to Faye for creating such a wonderful new home for us.”

Boulder Home Befor Remodel

It is an unusual 40 acre lot in Boulder County with views of the Flat Iron Mountains. The current and original owners had this house designed specifically for them and they lived in the house for 35 years. However, the original design did not address the owner’s lifestyle, but instead provided a look and style that was appealing to the original architect. Therefore the owners of this house lived with compromises in their lifestyle for 35 years!

The owners preferred not to be at the house in the summer due to poor drainage conditions that brought in abundant mosquitos.

Boulder Home, Views From Living

More from the owners: “Faye personally worked with us every step of the way. We have worked with other architects, but Faye has been the only one to really ask us what we want and how we live!  She has given us back our lifestyle! This has been a great experience we now have a energy efficient home with a place for everything, a bike garage, storage for mymothers china, and space for the grandchildren. This house is about our family and about us now.”

Here’s a picture of the building from the ’40s – it hadn’t changed much since then so you can see the full-scale overhaul of the building.