Denver Modern Homes

Remodels to older homes are a complex proposition to begin with…they get more so when the owner has a modern design sensibility, wants the home to reflect it, but the house is older and was built according to a different time and idea of living. This is the case with many homes in the older neighborhoods of Denver. The key to successfully integrating an older home with a modern addition is to focus on the ideas behind each part, old and new. Older homes might have certain visual rhythms and proportions to massing and windows, and your modern addition can be designed to respect and work with those. Modern plans focus on open spaces that blur into one another, both indoors and out, and strategically “opening up” walls and views within an older, more divided home can achieve a good balance between different time periods in the same home.

I’m usually not one to post press releases, but this is cool, and I just have a few minutes to post something here today. Click through to see the release. Read the rest of this entry →

It’s been a long time goal to bring in the perspective of an architect to DenMod and Rob Rager definitely fits the type of architect I was looking for. Check out his web site, and stay tuned as he brings his unique persprective to Denver Modern. Welcome Rob!

If you are an architect, design professional, real estate agent, or simply a modern architecture and design fan that is interested in contrubuting, let’s talk!

With the economy in such turmoil, people are looking for ways to save some money anywhere they can. Green technology is appealing for its lifetime energy savings, but it might be hard to think of things like solar panels when you want to economize wherever you can. If you’re planning a new, modern home anyway, passive green design elements can be easily incorporated into the plans. Think of deep overhangs to shade windows in the summer, operable windows at the high end of a sloping roof to let out hot air, and placing windows for maximum shade, views, and ventilation, which will cut your cooling costs. Elements like these are true to the principles of modernist architecture and will add to a project that’s both energy-efficient and aesthetically pleasing.

I got a heads up from the owner of this online marketplace for collectors of modern art, furniture, and accessories.

It’s a nicely designed site with for sale & wanted items. But it doesn’t stop there, the site also has a good article about “Mod Cons” with a discussion about authentic originals, licensed reproductions and knockoffs. I’m all about experts sharing insider “buyer beware” info with consumers!

Lushpad also has a blog about mod trends and is adding designer and artist bios to the site.

I try not to concentrate on real estate trends. Modern homes tend to have their own niche within the market. However, I do run a cool little widget in the sidebar from Altos Research showing median home values for Denver. I’m happy to say that since early spring, median values have been on the rise. Denver was hit early in the housing crunch, and hopefully this is a sign that we are recovering early as well.

Also, I know a lot of real estate agents read this blog. I want to give a quick shout out to Altos Research for providing this information and to let you know they provide some very detailed real estate market content that you can use on your own web sites. I highly reccomend them.

Pretty cool idea. Check it out.

James Koustas has another listing in Arapahoe Acres. One of the hard parts about updating a historically modern home is the balance between original character and modern convenience. I they they did a pretty good job with this one.

Here’s the basics in this home:

2931 S. Franklin St – Arapahoe Acres

Updated 3bd/2bth with a huge lot and mountain views from the back yard. Kitchen and baths have had a major update while maintaining the originality of this historic property. All new appliances, mechanicals and flooring.

Contact James Koustas at 303-210-8342 for details.