Location, and the ability to age in place, were the two highest priorities for the homeowners deciding to purchase a property in the Lower Chautauqua area of Boulder. Having decided to move back to Boulder to be near their grown children and new grandchildren, the owners were looking for a single-level home close to family.
The existing property fit the basic description, but it had low ceilings, outdated construction and small, chopped-up spaces. The design team decided that a new build would be the most efficient way to meet all of the goals for the project. Fanas Architecture worked with the homeowners to clarify their priorities and helped them understand the specific requirements in working with the City of Boulder. The finished home is an efficient, contemporary and accessible family home for all generations to enjoy.
The homeowners desired a simple, warm, contemporary aesthetic for the home. Exterior materials of stucco, wood and steel combine to achieve the desired look. The single-story design allows the home to nestle into the hillside and hides the dramatic feel of the interior, only to be discovered as you enter the home.
‘Light and airy’ was the focus for the Great Room of the home. The small, chopped-up spaces found in the original home were replaced with an open-concept floorplan for the living, dining and kitchen spaces. A see-through fireplace provides definition to a small sitting area adjacent to the Great Room with a peek-a-boo view between rooms. The north wall of the Great Room consists of full-width moveable glass partitions that completely open up and empty onto the covered back patio, creating a seamless interface between the indoor and outdoor living spaces.
A second, higher roof was added to the main roof of the Great Room, thereby allowing the addition of clerestory windows to let in as much indirect natural light to the space as possible. The ceiling of the high roof was finished with a wood tongue and groove material that adds warmth and texture to the space while mimicking the tone of the hardwood flooring found throughout the home.
A second important element of design for the home was the ability for the homeowners to age in place. The home is a single story with all openings and doors sized to accommodate wheelchair access if ever necessary. Floor materials are beautiful and also rated to ensure a non-slip surface. Showers in the home incorporate ‘zero-threshold’ transitions with no raised curb that might inhibit flow into the space. Blocking has been installed in the walls where grab bars can be added in the future, and window coverings are motorized to ensure that anyone is able to control the position of the shades.
Coordinating the desires of the homeowners with the city of Boulder's requirements can often pose a challenge. For this property, the maximum allowable floor area as outlined by the city was reasonable; however, a significant percentage of this allowable floor area was required to be located on a second floor. Since a major directive of this project was to keep the home to a single story, the square footage remaining for the main level of the home was less than the homeowners would have desired. By modifying an earlier design option that showed a two-car garage to a one-car garage and carport (carports do not count towards the allowable square footage), Fanas was able to effectively increase the square footage of the interior to an acceptable level.
City requirements for energy efficiency were also discussed with the homeowners. With Dale Smith being a founding member of the Colorado Green Building Guild and Elizabeth Smith having served on the CGBG Board of Directors, Fanas Architecture focuses on energy-efficient solutions for every project, providing guidance and recommendations for each specific client. The energy requirements for this project were met in part with high-efficiency windows, superior insulation, solar panels and high-efficiency mechanical systems with equipment located in a deep crawlspace beneath the north portion of the home.
Fanas Architecture works with clients on remodels, additions and new home projects. They understand the importance in thoroughly evaluating any existing structure that may be present at the beginning of a project for any intrinsic value it may hold to the project. Often the goal is to reuse and remodel as much of the existing structure as possible, but frequently the best decision is to recognize the efficiencies of starting with a fresh slate. Even when a fresh start is determined to be the best course of action, a thorough understanding of the neighborhood vernacular is paramount to creating a successfully integrated design.
Having met while in school at CU in the late 1980s, Dale and Elizabeth have watched Boulder neighborhoods develop, evolve, and in some instances, lose much of their original character, which is unfortunate. Boulder neighborhoods are unique and every effort should be taken to maintain their respective identities.
The firm's name, Fanas, is Gaelic, with the dual meaning of space and opportunity. Fanas truly believes that every space is full of opportunity. Fanas works with clients in evaluating their property, analyzing their goals and developing unique aesthetic solutions in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Every project is unique, and the key to a successful project is understanding the specific needs of each client and translating these into a design that works for them. It’s a cliché, but they truly listen. FanasArchitecture.com
General Contractor: VanMatre Construction