Denver Modern Homes

Like nearly everything else, it’s almost impossible to think about architecture these days without including thoughts of the economic climate. As a practitioner in the field, I think a lot about the direction of modern architecture in all this, how it will change, and how we, designers and owners, can adapt to the new world we find ourselves in. It’s easy to be down about it all, but there are also opportunities to be found, and what we admire and enjoy (the approach to design that began in the early 20^th century and became modernism and now today’s progressive design) had its roots in equally turbulent times and was a response to them, a desire to find different values again. Sustainability and common-sense building are already watchwords, but they become critical in times like these. Simplicity, efficiency, one “design move” that serves many purposes…these are all principles inherent in modern design that will be very important going forward.  In the short term, maybe there will be a shift to remodeling and adding to the homes we already have, as there can be significant financial advantages to improving an existing residence vs. building an entirely new structure.

A sense of reconnecting to the basic values of dwelling and place: the home as a place of enclosure, security and comfort, tied into the landscape and to nature, the importance of living at a smaller, slower scale that allows the appreciation of the sensation of your hand on a warm handrail or the light coming through a window that’s positioned perfectly to catch it, and the warmth of a house that brings your family together…these are the sorts of conversations and design elements that transcend stylistic labels and  that come back to the fore when the faux-Tuscan McMansion and the half-empty spec development are reeling like dinosaurs after the asteroid…

Thought and comments welcome.

I wonder about adding a series of threads to this blog to discuss these things. And I’m keeping my old copies of Dwell, Todd!

I’m doing massive spring cleaning. Releiving myself of clutter. But I hate to throw away/recycle magazines for some reason. Anyway, I have 30 issues of old Dwell magazines for the first person willing to drive out to the south-west side of the metro area and grab them. I’ll also throw in 6 issues of Metropolitan home, and a couple Atomic Ranches. Please don’t ask what’s here. Call it a surprise. I’ll put these on Craig’slist to give away if I don’t here from anyone today so let me know. 303-747-6913. Leave a message, I might be out in the garage cleaning.

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!

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 is listing 1310 E. Cornell Ave in Arapahoe Acres.

This is one of the bigger homes in the neighborhood, and features original bamboo floors. It’s also one of the few homes that includes a two car garage.

Call James at 303-210-8342 for details.

9 News has the story.