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COLORADO REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
— January 6-January 19, 2016
W
hat does the
future hold for
architecture? We
asked architecture leaders
from AIA Colorado to tell us
what will define architecture
in Colorado in 2016 and
beyond.
When asked what will
drive conversation in the
architecture community
in 2016, our leaders
overwhelming responded that
the state’s population growth
will keep them talking.
As thousands of people
move to our state each year,
we continue to feel the
pinch of the housing market.
Architects and developers
are working together with
other state leaders to not only
create more housing options,
but also make those options
more affordable.
In the larger metropolitan
areas, architects expect an
increased focus on transit-
oriented development and the
need and desire to make the
city connected.
In the mountains, architects
from Vail and Aspen expect a
continued focus on workforce
housing, stating it is the
greatest challenge as the
labor pool in mountain towns
diminishes due to the cost of
living.
With all the focus on
growth, some leaders wonder
if conversation will shift to
the quality and character
of new
buildings.
“Given
the boom,
I wonder
if we have
missed by
not creating
compelling,
interesting,
100-year
buildings,”
said Rick
Epstein,
AIA, a
principal
at Studio
Completiva. “It feels like
we are building a plywood
city, not something that has
contributed to a sense of
place.”
There also are concerns
about urban planning and
infrastructure. “Our industry
will continue to talk about
how multifamily housing
projects are changing the
character of our sensitive
downtown districts,” said
Wells Squier, AIA, with
Anderson Hallas Architects.
Christy Riggs, AIA, with
308 LLC added, “The
conversation we’re having
in Colorado Springs is
about taking advantage of
infill opportunities. There
is also a focus on bringing
more affordable multifamily
housing to the downtown
area and how we can make
these projects viable for
everyone by working on local
building codes.”
As the population grows,
the demands of those living
and working here also are
changing. Many architects
predict community will be the
new amenity.
Both in the mountains
and along the Front Range,
architects expect home design
will adapt to provide more
room for families to gather
and stay, and for entertaining
at home.
“In custom homes, there
is distinct trend away from
huge showcase kitchens.
All of our projects focus on
the kitchen being the social
hub of the home rather
than a place to showcase
appliances,” said Steven
Perce, AIA, of bldg.collective.
Commercial design also will
be influenced by different
approaches to density,
the influence of design on
workforce wellness and
an increased focus on the
integration of a building’s site
into its design.
“I hope a focus on
holistic design and cultural
importance will be key
design trends for ‘everyday
architecture’ and not just
big public projects,” said
Riggs. “A building with a
well-thought-out identity
and purpose will always be
successful.”
Architects also expect
design to push beyond
sustainability and toward
carbon neutrality, energy
generation and resilient
design.
“With the expanded
adoption of the International
Green Construction Code, I
believe Colorado will continue
to set the bar for responsible
and sustainable design,” said
Squier.
“We will continue
to consider the built
environment’s impact on
climate change,” said Joseph
Vigil, AIA, of Workshop8.
Architects in Vail and Aspen
also expect weather and
climate change will have a
huge impact on design and
construction.
While design trends are one
part of the conversation, the
cost of the design is another.
Many architects agree that
labor and material shortages,
rising land costs and the
rapidly changing market
are all driving the cost of
bringing good design to life.
“We have to prepare our
clients for how quickly prices
are increasing and work this
into our design process,” said
Perce. “From the time we
start designing to the time
we start building, the cost
can increase 10 to 15 percent,
which is having a huge
impact on the final design
and finish.”
As 2016 brings a fresh
start to businesses across
the state, there is a renewed
sense of urgency within the
design profession to think
forward. Architects have an
opportunity to use design to
strengthen our communities,
take an active role in
addressing sustainability
and wellness issues, and
create lasting and meaningful
places for all Colorado
residents. To accomplish
this, architects will have to
maintain and strengthen
partnerships with owners,
contractors, legislators and
fellow design professionals.
By working together, 2016
presents the opportunity
to have a meaningful
impact on Colorado’s built
environment.
s
Angela M.T. Van
Do, AIA, LEED
AP BD+C
President, AIA
Colorado
“I hope a focus
on holistic design
and cultural
importance will
be key design
trends for ‘everyday
architecture’ and
not just big
public projects.”
– Christy Riggs, AIA, 308 LLC
