Denver Modern Homes

2009 is turning out to be the year of Modernism.

5280mod and Historic Denver, Inc. have already co-lead two Modernism Tours in 2009…one for Colorado Preservation, Inc.’s annual conference and another for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Partners Retreat.

We are very encouraged to see mid-century modern architecture achieving historically significant status. There a handful of one-owner, architect designed, mid-century modern homes coming available in the next few weeks and months. Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing and preserving an historic modern home.

We hope to see you on the Home Tour or at the Kirkland Museum!

Posted by Shannon Stanbro of 5280mod

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!

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.

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.

The controversial architect will be discussing recent museum projects, including Denver’s Clyfford Still Museum, this evening at the Denver Art Museum. 

5:30 in the Sharp Auditorium.  Free to the public.

http://www.clyffordstillmuseum.org/events.html

Hat Tip to Kiki Cannon for this one.

If you haven’t been out to the Ballpark Neighborhood lately, head over and check out Fire Clay Lofts new townhomes. Very cool architecture with open spaces, big windows and outdoor living. They are open this weekend noon – 3 pm. Located at 3149 Blake Street #102. Visit the website here.