ROW HOUSE RECONSIDERED
24 BOULDERITE MAGAZINE SUMMER 2016 Building on an unusual Boulder site with the unlikely view combo of the Flatirons and a carwash, a builder and an architect create a model of spatial e ciency and multifamily living at the edge of town.
BY SARAH GOLDBLATT
SUMMER 2016 BOULDERITEMAG.COM 25 PREVIOUS PAGE AND THIS PAGE PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAUL GARCIA
26 BOULDERITE MAGAZINE SUMMER 2016 recalls Janice of the site’s proximity to Pearl Street. “And the views to Boulder Canyon and the Flatirons are spectacular,” adds Rich. Thanks to zoning of the 9,800-square-foot lot that allowed both industrial and residen- tial uses, it also offered a useful exception to Boulder’s typical floor-to-area (FAR) ratios requiring 6,000 square feet of lot per unit. For this site, the total square footage of the units couldn’t exceed 4,900 square feet, so joining forces with architect E.J. Meade, principal of Arch11, whose firm has worked with Sands’ Hammerwell on 50-plus projects, the team conceived an assemblage of three townhomes, each averaging around 1,600 square feet. A third buyer, business start-up guru and MergeLane co-founder and CEO Sue Hei- lbronner, had followed the collaborations between Arch11 and Hammerwell like a rock- band groupie. “I was amazed by their attention to detail and high standard of excellence,” OOSTING ON A CONCRETE RAMPART FIVE FEET ABOVE A she says. Admitting to not being the savviest noisy streetscape at Third and Canyon Boulevard, three sleek cedar- and steel- homeowner and in love with the location, Hei- clad residences boast the lofty appeal of a mini-Italian hill town. Bordered by lbronner didn’t hesitate to join the emerging a car wash, sheet metal manufacturer and student rentals, the elevated site of- micro-neighborhood. fers up an unlikely peaceful enclave for its modern-minded homeowners. The On the design side, the project offered Arch11 unusual trio of smartly designed, modest-sized homes with lushly landscaped an opportunity to try its hand at the archetypal terraces is the realization of a long-percolating idea of builder Rich Sands of urban form, the row house. Led by Meade’s Hammerwell Incorporated in collaboration with architecture firm Arch11, and design acumen and Sands’ construction know- R it deftly provides individuality and community in satisfyingly equal parts. how, the configuration quickly diverged from Over dinner one night with friends Bob and Dianne Bush (construction enthusiasts in their the expected side-by-side alignment. “The row own right, having built five of the six houses they’ve lived in), Sands and his wife, Janice, described house idea got dissected and reconfigured,” how their next housing stage would involve downsizing from their North Boulder digs and build- explains Meade. “Instead of lining up the units, ing something within walking distance of downtown. “Wow!” the Bushes responded, “that’s just they’re staggered and shifted to optimize views what we want to do.” In retirement and with young grandchildren to enjoy, the Bushes quickly and southern exposure.” Sands adds, “We didn't embraced the idea of living near friends and shedding some domestic responsibilities. As a shared want it to appear typical with three identical urban living plan quickly fell into place, Rich Sands agreed to look for a buildable lot that could units, but rather more random and residential accommodate both couples, and a two and-half year project began. in scale than the usual multifamily.” After patiently watching a vacant lot in Boulder’s West Pearl area cycle on and off the market With a footprint about half the size of a
PREVIOUS PAGE AND THIS PAGE PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAUL GARCIA during the recession, Rich finally purchased it fresh out of foreclosure. “We liked the urban feel,” tennis court, each two-story unit was designed
SUMMER 2016 BOULDERITEMAG.COM 27 for its specific location and homeowner needs, yet they share a common architectural DNA that creates a rhythm across the site, Meade explains. “Each unit has large window openings on the southwest corner and the roof tips up slightly to capture the sun and reveal the views,” he says. The refined exterior material palette—a modernist composition of glass, stucco, metal siding and a wood rainscreen that enhances thermal performance and durability—main- tains a minimalist language. Open floor plans, large windows and the conscious integration of house and garden further relate the residences. The neighborly configuration, including a sec- ond door from each unit directly outside to the communal space known as the “piazza,” melds the courtyard dwelling typology with that of the European terraced home, all linked by walks and gardens. And while the residents live in close proximity, they maintain the privacy and seren- ity of living in individual homes thanks to the deliberate placement of windows and doors to avoid light and views spilling into others’ spaces. The meticulous landscape design enhances the unusually comfortable juxtaposition of pri- vacy and community. “The tight constraints de- manded that we design every square inch of the site or it wouldn’t have succeeded,” says Meade who enlisted landscape architect Ransom Beegles of R DESIGN early in the process. “Our objective was to use hedges and plants to create outdoor rooms for both private and communal use,” says Beegles, who chose Spartan junipers around the perimeter for “their upright and linear play off the modern architecture” and ornamental grasses and perennials for a “lusher, more colorful, soft garden-feel in between. We also wanted the homeowners to look out and see a more delicate palette,” he adds. Cognizant of the varied microclimates around each unit, Beegles carefully deter- mined which low-water plants would thrive in the specific exposures. He even applied hierarchy to the plantings and ground surfaces to convey entry into a private garden versus a shared space. For example, pavers interspersed with Wooly Thyme signal private pathways MICHAEL DE LÉON LEFT BY TOP EXCEPT while wider, uninterrupted surfaces suggest it’s the customized fit to their separate lifestyles they appreciate most. “It’s areas for residents or guests to gather. small enough that we don’t have the maintenance,” says Dianne Bush of It’s been nearly three years since everyone her and Bob’s 1,700-square-foot home, “but large enough that we use all took up residence at 303 Canyon, and Sue the spaces.” Heilbronner reflects how her house “has really Janice Sands agrees on the size advantages, adding, “We all like to be grown to be this incredible backdrop for every a little different. Everybody is house proud.” For Rich Sands’ part, he’s area of my life. Not only is the location fantas- still amazed at the end result. “There was this common bond from the tic, I love the connection between my home beginning that we were going to end up with a really cool project,” he says. and this small city.” And while the project’s And by striking an impressive balance between a number of competing de- shared architectural roots may be apparent to mands, including equal access to views and sunlight, the three residences
the passerby, the five homeowners agree that have become so much more than the sum of their parts. OF RAUL COURTESY PHOTOGRAPHS GARCIA
28 BOULDERITE MAGAZINE SUMMER 2016 303 CANYON LIVING Homeowner Favorites
BOB AND DIANNE BUSH LOCAL WALK: Loop from 303 to the mouth of the canyon along the creek path, down Arapahoe and over to Pearl Street Mall, where you'll wind through Mapleton Hill residential areas to the north of the mall. SPOT FOR DINING OUT: Carelli's. TAKE OUT: Chez Thuy Vietnamese. PERFECT SATURDAY: Attending fly- fishing clinics at Front Range Angler and then going and testing the waters; visiting various garden nurseries— Sturtz&Copeland is a favorite. ALTERNATE TRANSPORT: Bus very occasionally, or Uber.
RICH AND JANICE SANDS FAVORITE DESIGN RESOURCE: LON Little Shop on 13th in Boulder. LOCAL WALK OR HIKE: Boulder Creek Path, Dakota Ridge. SPOT FOR DINING OUT: The Med, Carelli’s. TAKE OUT: Nick-and-Willy’s Pizza. PERFECT SATURDAY: On a snowy morning, sitting in our living room, with the fireplace going, looking at the Flatirons, sipping a cappuccino Alternate transport: Vespa scooter.
SUE HEILBRONNER FAVORITE DESIGN RESOURCE: Mod Livin’, Denver. LOCAL WALK OR HIKE: Lion’s Lair trail (new trail on back side of Sanitas). SPOT FOR DINING OUT: Dinner at Ris, drinks at West End Tavern. TAKE OUT: Whole Foods. PERFECT SATURDAY: Hot yoga at the Colorado Athletic Club; kickboxing at 9Round; Americano at Ozo; hike with friends; Peppers Pizza at Basta. ALTERNATE TRANSPORT: Bright orange Buddy 50cc Scooter when
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF RAUL COURTESY PHOTOGRAPHS GARCIA MICHAEL DE LÉON LEFT BY TOP EXCEPT feet don’t go fast enough.