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Page 42 — Multifamily Properties Quarterly — May 2018 www.crej.com MULTIFAMILY CONSTRUCTION DELIVERED BY COMPLEX REQUIREMENTS EXPERTS SO YOU CAN FOCUS ON BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS. catamountinc.com X at Sloan’s, Denver Affordable Housing Spotlight S ynthesis is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “the composition or combi- nation of parts or elements to form a whole.”This is what I think architecture is about. As Colorado continues to experience an unprecedented construction boom, the need to provide affordable places to live has boomed as well. It is increas- ingly difficult to create housing oppor- tunities in our cities due to rising land costs, a shortage of sites that are easily developed, rising construction costs, increasing material costs, labor short- ages, code changes, interest rates, diffi- cult development entitlements, as well as a scarcity of resources that unlock affordability in housing.With these (and other) obstacles, the role of the architect has become vitally important to connect the sometimes-invisible dots and synthesize across many dis- parate areas of expertise. The design of affordable housing is the art of manipulating scarcity, art- fully. Architects are in a unique position to understand the above-mentioned challenges and find solutions that solve for the myriad of constraints simulta- neously. For example, we find ourselves working closely with civil engineers and landscape architects to create water detention and water-quality fea- tures that aren’t simply pits that look engineered; instead, we attempt to make them a site amenity that can be used as an amphitheater or a place for children to play with nearby supervi- sion or a wetland attracting birds and wildlife into a site.The requirements of stormwater management can be made into a site amenity when designers focus on synthesis. Architecture mat- ters. It is not enough to simply solve prob- lems sufficiently to achieve a building permit and project that is on budget.We cannot be satisfied with mere compe- tence. Architects also must advocate for the residents of our buildings as well as for the city in which our structures are placed.These things are going to last for generations! Archi- tecture can uplift the human condition. It has unique powers that can give a neighborhood an identity, connect peo- ple to their environment, create defen- sible safe places, calm people in crisis, inspire and uplift the human condition. Solving for these also is a form of syn- thesis.We are always on the lookout for ways to overlap programmatic com- ponents to create synergies that enrich life, while conserving resources. For instance, placing a building entrance south-facing adjacent to resident ame- nities creates opportunities for resi- dents to know one another, harvests quality daylight and provides access to southern-facing outdoor amenities. This creates outdoor spaces that can be used year-round in Colorado, and pro- vides amenities with a fraction of the square footage that would be required when these elements are separated and dispersed through a structure. Syn- thesis. Sometimes you must go slow to go fast. It is critical to make time for a diligent design and preconstruction process. Designing buildings in cities is difficult, nuanced and requires time to learn the variables that will animate an ultimate solution. Often the best solutions are not obvious, or customary. For example, Denver has just adopted a “green roof” requirement.This will change customary formulas of devel- opment, and designers will need to find new and creative ways to incorpo- rate this requirement, recognizing that it is not a step to greater affordability. Only ideas that solve for the regulatory requirement, along with other needs of the building, will prove to be economi- cal. Synthesis. With all the independent variables encountered in the development of affordable housing, it is important for the architectural profession to use its powers to create rich environments, while combining disparate parts to form a whole.This requires creativity, problem seeking and challenging our industry to forge newways of solving problems.Ways that express the best in ourselves.To ensure that affordable housing will continue to overcome obstacles, it is my belief that the archi- tect’s ability to connect invisible dots will remain an invaluable service not only to our clients, but also to our communities. s Defining the architect’s role in affordable housing Chad Holtzinger Principal, Shopworks Architecture Shopworks Architecture Terraza del Sol features a combination garden, play area and entry patio in addition to being a water detention area.