LGA Studios

Selecting a Location for your New Home, Part 1

2012-02-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

By Larry Gilland

Locating the property upon which to build a home is one of the most important decisions a homeowner must make before the custom home can become a reality. You can locate the property in several ways. Driving around several locations which you have heard about from friends or relatives may help you to define what you are looking for. If this isn't possible, enlisting the help of an area realtor will help to locate an area quickly. Some properties are committed lands meaning that the land is bought as part of a package which includes using a specific builder and/or a specific type or style of house. Remember that if you do choose to enlist the help of a realtor, the realtor is entitled to his commission if you decide to purchase the property even at a later date. If the realtor suggests a specific contractor for the construction of your home, he will also be entitled to a referral fee from that contractor. These commissions and referral fees will ultimately be paid by the homeowner somewhere along the line.

The location of the homesite will determine a number of factors about the house itself. A homeowner must think about these factors when selecting a homesite location. Some of the factors are:

1. Climate will determine the general area of the country that a homeowner will feel most comfortable in but....

2. Lifestyle will be the first real determining factor in the general location of the homesite. Whether the homeowner(s) work and must commute to a job or the homeowner(s) are retired and need only for life's necessities to be convenient will make an important impact in deciding upon the lot or land they choose to build upon. If there are children or elderly to consider, other factors become paramount.

If a homeowner plans to entertain small or large groups of extended family members or business associates then this becomes a factor that will influence a home's location and size.

3. Topography: Lifestyle and climate will determine the size and style of the house but the "lay of the land” or topography will influence the actual design/shape of the house. If a homeowner has some concrete ideas as to the shape and style of the house he prefers, the land must meet the needs required by those preferences. It's difficult to place a one story, ranch-style home on a steeply sloped, mountainous ravine wall or conversely, to build a multi-leveled house with a walk-out basement on a flat rock bed. This CAN be accomplished but at great expense to the homeowner. It is best to be realistic about what one wants and what one has to work with. A bit of forethought is essential when choosing the type of land to build on. In this instance, a homeowner must think of a number of factors at the same time....unfortunately.

4. Resale is a factor to consider because most of us will, at some point in our lives, need to sell the home we live in. Obviously, we want the selling process to be as painless and as quick as possible while yielding a profit as a result of the sale. The next homeowner will purchase your home for the same reasons you did. They will be considering their requirements just as you are determining yours now. Negative factors that cannot be rectified may prevent your reselling your home in the future.

5. View: What do you want to look at when you wake up each morning?

This may sound crazy but when you select the property you want to build on, you will need to think of the setting which will surround your home. Once you're living within your home, you will spend the majority of the time looking out FROM inside with very little time looking AT the house. In the beginning of the custom home process, it seems that your viewpoint is an external one. Your time is spent looking at blueprints, elevations (drawings of the outside walls of the house) and the actual construction process itself. You must learn to imagine yourself INSIDE of the building. When you are within your home, you should be happy when you peer from its windows.

To be continued in Part 2

Construction on the Mountain

2012-01-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

LGA Studios has made frequent site visits to one client's house over the last few months, staying involved as things are tweaked and problems are solved. In the blog, we referenced this particular house earlier this month. What a beautiful location! But then, this is Colorado Springs. Witness the foundation, site excavation and framing.

The Plan Book Process

2012-01-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

Many of LGA Studio’s clients have never participated in designing a home before. Their desire for something- whether it’s a certain style or layout they can’t find elsewhere, or just to build on the land they own- drives them to hire a home designer or architect. But that doesn’t mean that they know exactly what they want.

Purchasing a pre-designed home can be the answer. Just like buying any other product, viewing a number of pre-designed plans is a good way to start getting ideas about what is important, necessary, and enjoyable. During the process of studying a number of plans, some people find exactly what they want.

If the changes are few or none, buying a plan can certainly save money too. Almost all of the time more information will be needed to build the home: HVAC and plumbing design, a home designer or contractor to ensure that the plan meets local codes, a structural engineer check the loads and stamp the plans. Depending on what is included in the plan book package and the contractor’s process, there will be a number of other items on this list. But the purchase of a plan can give a jump start to the process.

Access to the designs from a wide range of plan book companies is simple through the internet. The featured plan here comes from SaterDesign Collection. LGA Studio’s client purchased the Fiorentino, than came to us to alter the layout and be their facilitators through permit submittal and construction. Like a number of other plan book companies, SaterDesign offers “plan customization” services, but LGA was available to work with this Colorado client and the contractor through the project face to face.

Plans from LGA Studio’s more than 30 years of practice are becoming available on our own plan book website, Rocky Mountain Plan Company.

Are Solar Photovoltaics for You?

2012-01-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

With a higher than average sunshine index, Colorado is one of the best locations in the country for the use of Photovoltaic (PV) panels. With all the hoopla in the news about Energy Secretary Dr Steven Chu supporting PV panels, we are aware that use of PVs is still lagging in this country behind China and especially behind Germany.

Is PV worth the cost? The average consumer perceives that if you have PVs, when the power goes off at least you will still have electricity. Most PV systems are grid-tied; they gather electricity and push it back to the electrical grid. When necessary, the consumer buys back electricity at the provider’s going rate.

To start the determining how cost-effective your system could be, start by considering your usage. This worksheet will give you an idea of about how much energy you use on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. You can use a simple meter such as Kill A Watt EZ to find out exactly what your energy usage is for most common items around your home. You may be surprised to see how fast all adds up.

Once you have established your loads and what you will be turning off as well as improving upon, calculate what seems to be a reasonable amount of money to be spent. What is your goal? Will you be buying newer Energy Star appliances, LED lighting and CFL lighting to use less energy? Is the system 5 or 35 Kilowatts? Don’t forget to subtract the rebates that you will apply for. Both national and many times local energy companies offer tax incentives to install PV systems.

When calculating your usage, the savings from rebates and your system’s efficiency will help establish the approximate total savings each month from PV. That number can be divided into the cost of the panels. This will establish your payback. PV systems and panels have an average of a 20-year lifespan. Therefore, if the payback is estimated to happen over a 5-7 year period, photovoltaic panels may be for you.

The Home Restoration: Stage Three

2011-12-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas! At year's end, we have for you a number of photos of the rewarding progress at the Noble Family Ranch. As a reminder, here's where they were in April and in August. The family is doing most of the work themselves (well, with the aid of all available able-bodied volunteers!) and doing a bang-up job. With the house stripped down and the bones repaired, it is now being put back together. New siding, roofing, insulation, plastering/drywall, electricity and plumbing have been applied; and as you can see, they don't forget to have fun as they work.

Four Products Worth Considering

2011-12-19T16:26:00.002-07:00

Four Products worth considering for the future of new homes and remodels

Shingle PV Panels
A relatively new product to the marketplace by Dowsolar is the Dow shingle PV panel. These panels show much promise as they can be installed by roofing contractors trained to install common asphalt roof shingles. When several shingle panels are attached with nail fasteners and simple connectors into an array, these arrays can be placed on most any sloped roof surface facing south on other east and west facing roofs. Roof penetrations are minimal with connections back to the inverter. These simple shingle panels are new technology that will help move the US toward less dependence on fossil fuels for electricity.

Water-Based Elastomeric Sealant
Ecoseal, by Knauf, is similar to other products that have recently premiered on the market, such as EnergyComplete by Owens Corning. These products are principally part of the Airbarrier system, as outlined in the 2009 IECC Table 402.4.2. One of the major sources of heat loss for any structure is air infiltration. The average air infiltration can be up to 20% or greater of the total heat loss of a home. While many of the closed and open cell foam insulation products that have emerged do help to solve the infiltration problem, their cost many times is prohibitive. Ecoseal, EnergyComplete and others are affordable and easily applied at penetrations in wall assemblies and the intersection of walls and ceilings. They stop cold air from outside that can penetrate rooms and other spaces defined as “conditioned” areas of a home. What makes Ecoseal unique is that its higher perm rate can allow some drying to occur and not trap moisture that can linger and cause mold problems.

Modulating Boilers
The most efficient way to heat a home is through hot water radiant heating systems. They are also one of the most comfortable heating systems for occupants, especially when installed as a floor application. In homes constructed with higher performance wall and roof assemblies and efficient windows, the heat loss is minimal in comparison to average construction. With lower demand for heat and mechanical systems that have been oversized by 20 to 30%, a modulation boiler system with temperature sensors both inside and out can control temperatures to a more consistent level throughout the home while delivering as high as 98% efficiency. Radiant sub-floors such as WarmBoard allow a rapid rise in temperature and help make hot water systems incredibly effective.

Energy-saving Apps
The format of the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch from Apple has allowed numerous developers to create “applications” or apps for these phones and computers that can be used for energy-related fine tuning and cost saving. Savant and Crestron both have created apps that help to control lighting, window shades and mechanical systems. Lighting systems apps can be programmed to turn off light groupings or single room controls. With the advent of Lutron’s systems, even retrofit switching and power-strips can now be controlled by Savant and Crestron’s apps. Lutron has also created a wireless sensor to read the temperature in a room and then send signals back to the program to adjust the mechanical. AprilAir provides several sensors that are placed in various locations within an enclosure that allow mechanical systems to knowledgably distribute the proper airflow to a conditioned space, equalizing the thermal comfort for its occupants.

First Place for Pinon Development

2011-12-12T12:12:00.000-07:00

Trailside Estates in Salida, Colorado won first place in this year's Colorado Sustainable Design Awards for the category of communities. LGA Studios did some work with Pinon on the homes in the community and are honored to be listed as the architects.

This year, the Colorado Sustainable Design Awards' judges prized innovation and "Doing More with Less." According to ColoradoBiz Magazine, "ColoradoBiz partnered with the Colorado chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute Colorado and the U.S. Green Building Council Colorado to organize the statewide awards program."

You can read more of ColoradoBiz Magazine's coverage of the Trailside Estate's award here.

For the community winners, the judges looked for a combination of walkable space and green open space, which were certainly present in Trailside. On the Salida trail and close to downtown Salida, the neighborhood is also a short bike ride from vast forest parks.

The houses are energy-efficient and low-maintainence. Pinon should be given credit for their thoroughness in considering sustainability during both the construction process and the lifespan of the home. The homes are registered with 'Built Green Colorado' and Pinon is transparent concerning the home's attributes.

Trailside is a great place to live in a smallish mountain town but get some of the perks of denser city living, both of convenience and environmentalism.

Green Cabinets

2011-11-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

As more and more builders consider building green, the topic of Green Materials always comes up. When it comes to cabinetry we love the look and feel of wood from cherry to alder - not necessarily a rapidly renewable material. Therefore to be green what do you do? Naturally, you may think of rapidly renewable materials such as bamboo or FSC certified wood products.

To expand your environmental consciousness about your cabinet decisions consider some of the following:

*The KCMA is the organization that represents companies who manufacture residential cabinets. KCMA advances the industry through standards, education and sponsoring research.

*The principle concern in residential cabinets is the use of formaldehydes in the panels used. Products such as Plywood, MDF and Particleboard must meet ANSI A20808-2009, the standard setting the safe level of formaldehyde emissions. All cabinet manufactures that carry the Seal of the ESP certification meet these guidelines.

*FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) lumber is material that is regulated by the FSC: a not-for-profit organization recognized in the LEED process as the authority for responsible forestry. Having wood that is FSC certified ensures that that the entire chain of custody has been tracked, from the forest to the consumer and including the manufacturing process.

*Think about cabinet finishes. Films or sealants, stains and paints are the general applications for cabinetry. These finishes, according to the KCMA must meet standards for wear and tear and to be able to resist harsh substances found in many products from juices to vinegars. A least 75% of all finishes must be made in the United States, meeting KCMA’s air standards for manufacturing.

*Finally when considering sustainable cabinetry, research the business practices of the cabinet company itself. Many companies will conserve the cabinet’s factory waste for other uses, such as wood scrap for animal bedding and sawdust to heat their manufacturing facilities. Other commendable practices to look for are in-company stewardship from promoting fuel-saving vehicles, to recycling efforts in the office and the factory, to company humanitarian efforts such as involvement with Habitat for humanity.

Cabinets have many component factors to consider when considering going “green”. Additional information can be found at Green Cabinet Source.

Images taken from House and Home, HouseLogic and Midland Cabinet Company.

Moisture Management In Walls

2011-11-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

I've had the pleasure of hearing Maria Spinu teach twice now and it has been a treat. She's a building scientist originally from Romania; and although her material is technical it is fascinating and oh so important to the composition of buildings.

The presentations I heard were particularly focused on the passage of water (liquid and gaseous) through walls, though both looked at different aspects of the problem. This was partly because one presentation took place in Colorado Springs and the other in Houston and as we know these are quite different sorts of climates - one dry and the other hot and humid.

By far the largest percentage of water has the potential to come through a wall as liquid rain. The solutions to this are not on a microscopic level and are generally understood in the building industry: keep water flowing down and away from the building. Tuck flashing in from underneath so that no liquid pools behind it, slope window sills down towards the outside of the wall, fill in gaps between building materials. Maria categorized liquid water infiltration as caused by gravity, capillary action, or rain driven.

The remaining water that will make it through a wall is vapor. And 98% of this vapor is driven in or out quickly by pressure differences. The remaining 2% happens more slowly due to the balancing of humidity differences and is called "Water Vapor Diffusion." Water driven by pressure through barriers is called "Air Transported Moisture."

Why is any of this a problem? In Colorado we worry less about mold and rot than many other parts of the United States do, but less carefully formulated walls can still cause water to accumulate in a dry climate. If the inside of a house has moister and warmer air than the outside, than the water vapor will be sucked through the walls outside to balance pressure and moisture differences. Short of making a vacuum-sealed chamber there is no getting around this: water vapor travels through many building materials. And as it is drawn from the warm inside toward the cold outside, the water vapor will cool and turn into liquid water. At this point it will either need to drain or evaporate again to escape. Usually this happens somewhere inside the wall.

In climates where the outside is always warmer than inside (air-conditioned buildings in South Florida) or vice versa (heated buildings in much of Canada) it is good to control where this water vapor changes to liquid by putting a layer in the wall that the vapor can't pass through. The liquid will collect on the side of this layer and of course drainage should be provided down through the wall.

But in "mixed" climates (most of the United States) where some of the year is hot and some cold putting in a layer like this will cause trouble. Either side could become a dewpoint (where water changes form) and providing adequate drainage on both sides is nearly impossible. Also, a vapor barrier will prevent liquid from re-evaporating and diffusing towards the drier side of the wall. Maria states that this that it is better to make sure that the entire wall is permeable so that this can happen. The wall can dry itself out. Something to watch out for: a number of building materials can act as unintentional vapor barriers and keep condensation in the wall.

Thanks Maria! Knowing how building science works helps us to build a better house.

Earthship Remodel

2011-11-07T21:58:00.000-07:00

Earthship building began to take shape in the 1970's. A product of environmentalism (and hippies) earthship construction demands craftsmanship and attention to detail to succeed.

When LGA Studios was hired to remodel an Earthship in the Crystal Park neighborhood, Larry Gilland was excited as always to take on new challenges. Some of these were: no existing plans, leaky windows, unusual structure and owners who loved both Southwest design and the style of Lord of the Rings.

Front Hall

To make an Earthship, start with steel-rimmed tires. Lots of steel-rimmed tires. Stack them up and pack in other trash: cans and bottles. Maybe throw some rebar through the tires, pack in rammed earth or concrete through the centers, and then plaster over the outside so that there is no hint of the tires within. The walls in this house are actually very strong and did not need additional reinforcement.

What did need work was the entire entry wall, which was full of windows and tilted inward. This is a hallmark of Earthship construction. The idea is that the windows bring winter sunlight to the back of the house and warm the stone floor, which heats the house passively. However the window's angle was all wrong for this location. Sunlight heated the house during the summer and only brought sun across the ceiling in the winter. Plus the windows leaked.

LGA Studios stood the windows upright, which made the home feel significantly more spacious even though square footage was only added at the entry. The new wall now evokes castles, but on a cozy scale.

Secret Window - Reveals what is in the wall!

With this remodel we were able to expand the bathroom, which had some beautiful original tiling. One of the owners wanted the extra shower space to have this same tile so much that she hunted it down to its origin, a factory in Mexico where the same tile is still made. Thus the tile work is joined so seamlessly that it looks like one installation.

Credit should be given to Nick Starkey of PineCrest Construction Co., the contractor for this project, for such beautiful work. He truly listened to the client and worked as a team with us. Nick is an artistic problem-solver.

As with any unique house, the remodel process took some careful thought and labor. But it was worth it. When the house was finished LGA Studios was given an in-depth tour from a very pleased owner.

Read more about Earthships here or here.

The Home Remodel: Stage Three

2011-10-31T19:16:00.000-06:00

This house on Wood Avenue is almost done! Aside from finishing touches and unpacked boxes, it is ready for its close-up. These photos show off LGA's eye for potential and the owner's classy taste.

Last year we wrote about Stage One and Stage Two for this old house.

When the house was bid, LGA Studios listed a number of options so that the owner could receive an itemized price list and choose what to include in this remodel. The options were their wish list: updates which they would get to some day- and hopefully now if the final cost was right. Complete kitchen and master suite remodels, a sun-room which we created by adding on just 3'-0" to a back service room and a few important repairs were musts. The owners chose to also remove two previous sunroom additions, replace all windows, and repaint and re-floor the entire house.

What remains in the years ahead for this couple? They hope to spruce up the outside and LGA Studios would emphasize the sleek lines of the exterior timber to marry it with the now contemporary interior. The owners would like to add a garage with an attic connected to the second story to replace the detached garage in the corner of the lot. For now they will enjoy some of their dreams made reality.

Geothermal – is it worth it?

2011-10-24T10:36:00.000-06:00

With energy costs on the rise and tax credits available, many people have opted to use geothermal residential systems as a source of heating and cooling for their homes. But is it really worth it?

Geothermal systems use the earth’s temperature to aid in the cooling or heating of a home’s heat or cooling system. To heat by use of a water or air loop buried in the ground below the frost line, the system absorbs the temperature of the ground and brings it using convection into the heating coils of a heat pump.

The advantage is the heating or cooling coils absorb the ground’s or home’s heat and transfers it to the other location. This effectively either heats or cools the home. That all sounds great! The heat pump does not have to work as hard for the cooling or heating coil to perform. The heat pump can then use that energy to blow air across the coil or through a water or glycol tank, which can be circulated through radiant floors or wall radiators.

That is a very attractive proposition, with current tax incentives of 30% or greater taken on the entire system: Loops, heat pumps, supplement heating elements, and other components of the system. So what is the downfall?

Many times, a system of loops in a drilled format will cost in the 10’s of thousands of dollars for the drilling and vertical loop layouts. The heat pump equipment is slightly more costly than an average furnace or boiler system – except for higher performance furnace and boiler equipment, and then the cost is similar. Ductwork and/or heat piping will still be the same cost whether a conventional system or Geothermal.

But here is another consideration: the pumps, used to keep the water or the air moving through the earth generally all the time. Many times those pumps are larger than necessary and poorly controlled. To make a system truly work a good control system needs to be established that will turn pumps on so the system meets the home’s demands and to turn off equipment when desired climate conditions can be meet without the need for heating or cooling. If that control is not properly designed into the overall system, you will simply be paying for a sophisticated system that unnecessarily runs 24-7 and 365. That electric usage will far out strip the savings of using the earth’s natural temperature.

Article by Larry Gilland, LGA Studios
Images courtesy of http://residential.climatemaster.com

Hillside House, by SB Architects

2011-10-17T14:27:00.000-06:00

Last spring the Hillside House, designed by SB Architects, received a lot of press coverage when it was awarded LEED-platinum certification by the USGBC and best green house of May 2011 by Greensource magazine. LGA Studios would like to show it off to our Colorado clientele as a successful example of a hillside residence.

Constructed in the canyon town of Mill Valley, California, this beautiful home embraces its awkward 49% grade, 120'x80' lot. Four stories of stacked volumes cascade down, their proportions natural and whimsical. The house was carefully laid out so that one elevator and set of stairs connect all the floors - that way the trek from the first story garage to the fourth story kitchen is a breeze.

The architect, Scott Lee, also used the site's slope as an opportunity to add decks and terraces to several stories of the house, and to open up levels two through four to natural light and ventilation. The interior square footage is only 2,116 but the outdoor living areas add another 1,567 square feet.

And yes, this modern lodge also shows some superb sustainable design. Despite all the glass, it is so well insulated that deepest parts of the house don't need heating or cooling. Sitting on the natural hillside shale also keeps it cool. The deep overhangs prevent the rooms with windows from over-heating. Western Red Cedar siding was one of many local materials used. Plus the is the usual round-up of high-tech gear: photovoltaic panels, LED lighting and solar tubes, etc, saves and creates energy.

If you would like more information on this project, check an interview with the architect or this slide show of gorgeous photos.

High Performance House: An Interview with Contractor Donald Hostetler

2011-10-10T11:00:00.000-06:00

This LGA-designed residence responds to the local challenge of building on the side of a mountain as well as the challenge to us all of providing energy efficiency.

Photovoltaic panels on the roof power the water heater - not just the home's electricity. It's also super-insulated: the practice of installing more insulation than required by code.

Donald Hostetler, owner of Wood Works Unlimited, Inc in Colorado Springs, was the contractor for this project and took the time to answer our questions about building the home.

Have you supervised a solar water heating installation before?
No, this is my first
What makes it different?
The solar panels recirculate Glycol thru the panels into a water storage tank where it then heats the water for the domestic hot water needs in the home. How does it interact with the other systems in the house? The hot water storage tank has dual coils inside of it and is also supported (as a backup) by a boiler (used as the main heating source for Radiant heat in the home)in case of panel failure, shade or a unusual heavy demand of hot water (guests during the holidays, etc.)

Where was the extra insulation installed?
The first step was to use the best window to minimize heat/loss/gain, We chose the Marvin wood triple pane windows in the casement style. Next we used a open cell blown foam insulation in the walls and attic areas, This foam is a heated liquid and mixed, then blown on the the wall/attic surface, within 15 seconds expanding to 300 times its liquid form to a cured dry to the touch product. It seals any and all air infiltrations to provide a very airtight envelope. Was any special material chosen? We chose "ICYNENE LD-50" for all the foam areas in the home, The Company must be licensed to buy/install this product in homes.

What other high-performance elements are there in this house?
We also installed a 5500 watt PV solar system on this home that will back feed the grid at times that output is greater than demand. A whole house air exchanger to keep fresh air available into the home and condensation to minimum. We also applied for and received a "Variance" from Regional Building Dept. for a non-vented attic, this allowed us to have the foam applied on the underside of the roof sheathing and created a "conditioned attic" no more hot oven in summer and cold in winter to keep out thru the use of soffit venting. This is also a great way to keep fire from spreading up an outside wall and entering the attic space thru the soffit venting in the case of a wildfire.
What was your role in recommending and advising the owner on them?
The owner wanted to take advantage of any wind or solar that may be available, wind power was not an option on this site, So the research began on my part, after careful consideration we chose the systems mentioned above.

How does the site compare to other available Colorado Springs sites?
Average I would say, trees were a challenge and because it was a hillside lot had a lot of restrictions that we had to adhere to.
What were the challenges and successes of building the Idler residence on this steep slope?
The biggest "challenge" was to make sure that the roof area dedicated for the solar panels took advantage of the best sun, minimum shade thru the different seasons. The success would be we actually got more watts than first thought from the PV system given the final location. Most of the rear and side of the garage is below ground level and helped redirected the drainage around the home much like a large retaining wall,it also helps keep the home from having a very tall appearance.

Have you received any feedback from the owner that you can share?
Too early yet for utility comparisons, they say it is very rewarding to watch the electric meter running backwards and that the home is "very quiet from outside noise"

Any other observations on this project?
I am considering making the triple pane window along with the foam a standard feature on all future projects, the performance during the construction was phenomenal, from the temp heat phase thru the final, the majority of this home was built during the winter months and had the lowest utility bills for construction of any home I've built.

Parade Wrap-up: Aspen View's "Harvard" & Covington Homes Photo Coverage

2011-09-26T21:12:00.000-06:00

To finish our Parade of Homes we would like to present Aspen View's Parade Home "the Harvard." This parade house is in the Master Planned community Lorson Ranch. Designed by LGA Studios,* "the Harvard" is Aspen View's most popular 2-story model.

The basic plan is 3 bedroom with 2 extra bedrooms that can be added, one to the basement and one replacing the loft space.We particularly enjoy the winding staircase to the second floor.

As a little bonus we have some photos of the Ron Covington Home "The Madison" which we wrote about before the Parade. See left and below. We are proud to report that this LGA Studio plan won Best Architectural Exterior and Best Landscaping in the Parade for its division.

The Covington Brownstones (on the left) were not an official part of the Parade, but the model Brownstone had an open house in the same block as "the Madison." These townhomes are also designed by LGA Studios to be part of the well-connected Covington neighborhoods. Stacked liked the historic homes of San Francisco, there is a good amount of square footage in their compact footprints.

*There was an error in the printing of the Parade handbook and LGA Studios was not listed as the designer.

Cool in Colorado - Do Cool Roofs Make Sense in Colorado?

2011-09-19T09:26:00.003-06:00

With all the talk about global warming, do cool roofs make sense in the Rocky Mountains, given that we usually think of Colorado as more of a heating climate? Colorado contains four distinct climate zones. Among Colorado’s climate zones are areas 5B and 4B, which are along the Front Range and Eastern plains of Colorado. In these zones we experience warmer temperatures from late May through the middle of September. Therefore, there are several seasons when cool roofs obviously make sense. But what exactly are cool roofs?

According to the Cool Roof Institute, “A cool roof reflects and emits the sun's heat back to the sky, instead of transferring it to the building below.” "Coolness" is measured by two properties, solar reflectance and thermal emittance. These values are used to calculate the solar reflectance index (SRI) - the higher the number, the better on a scale of 1-100.

The principal behind cool roofs is to save energy on cooling buildings down. Along the Front Range where the majority of the population of Colorado lives in cities such as Denver, Colorado Springs and Ft. Collins, we experience some 300 days of sunshine. That many days of sunshine which can be a welcoming heat source in the winter, can also be a drain on the cooling loads in the other seasons. Those familiar with the LEED rating systems: note that a minimum SRI of 78 on most flat commercial roofs is required. But what about the SRI numbers on residential roofs? The minimum SRI for 2:12 or greater roof pitches is only 29.

Throughout the last several decades, many Front Range cities grew with wide spread sprawling suburbs and thousands of roof tops, all of which absorb the radiation of the sun. According to a cool roof calculator that compiles energy savings on the average residential home, a single level home of 2500 square feet may experience a savings of $425 and up per year. Now if you multiply that figure by thousands of homes the energy savings can be staggering, let alone the impact to the environment to help cool the planet.

Manufacturers such as Owens-Corning use the cool roof technology in the shingles they manufacture. Owens-Corning also recycles old asphalt shingles, which is a plus for recycling, global warming and reducing our carbon footprint in Colorado. This company manufactures in Denver, Colorado which equals less transportation costs. Before you re-roof your home, consider looking into a shingles that have higher SRI’s. The polar bears will thank you for generations to come.

G J Gardiner goes for LEED Gold

2011-09-12T08:39:00.000-06:00

Our coverage of LGA Studios' involvement with the Colorado Spring's Parade of Homes continues! Every year, the Parade of Homes is hosted by the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs and gives visitors a glimpse into the newest neighborhoods and homes introduced into the city. The price range is impressively wide - from the mid-100 thousands to 2 million dollars.

The G J Gardner entry in the Parade was not designed by LGA Studios, but we are serving as the team leader for the USGBC SB volunteers doing the LEED consulting work. The aim for this house is to achieve LEED gold certification; the team is currently documenting the points for which this house is eligible.

Some LEED points will come from the proud achievement of a 13 on the HERs Index. A standard new home receives 100 points on this scale and a "net zero" home is at zero. Thirteen means that much of the time the home is not relying on the city's power supply, but receiving power through its own systems - in this case, photovoltaic (PV) panels and a geothermal heat pump.
The home is not completely independent, but is very efficient and will save significantly on energy bills. Homes with low HERs scores will have some combination of lighting and appliances that demand less energy, good insulation and less demand for water.

This home certainly has the latter, as it is registered to be the first "Water Sense for Homes in the region". The appliances were chosen for their Water Sense certification (see our previous article about Water Sense) and the landscaping was planned to need little irrigation. This technique - called xeriscaping - is especially vital to saving water in the dry, semi-arid Colorado Springs climate. John Olson of Olson Planning & Urban Landscapes designed the landscaping. Some good pictures can be found here on John's blog which is a well-spring of information.

If you are unfamiliar with the concept of geothermal heating & cooling systems, a brief explanation can be found here. My previous assumption was that the pipes needed in the ground required some acreage to be effective but this installation proved me wrong: the underground piping system fit into the 4'-0" wide side yard of the house! As you can see by the photo to the left the interior equipment takes up some space in the mechanical room, but it replaces the water heater and furnace so it's a fairly even trade. This home is heated by radiant floors. The equipment here stores heated water to cycle through pipes in thin concrete panels that are part of the floor system.

The G J Gardiner home can be found in the Gold Hill Mesa neighborhood. Gold Hill Mesa follows TND (Traditional Neighborhood Development) principals, like several of the other Parade homes this year. As Colorado Springs spreads, central density is becoming more valuable. Proximity to local amenities will also earn this home additional LEED points.

There was much to say about this interesting house - and we are trusting that the photos will show you how cozy it was. I especially liked the children's play room in the basement, shown below, and the way the master bedroom, office and living area clustered around a courtyard - see above. LGA Studios is always glad to promote energy-efficient design!

Ethical Floor Coverings: Is Bamboo Really The Best Choice?

2011-08-29T13:29:00.005-06:00

By Guest Blogger Jennifer Dastur, NCIDQ, LEED-AP

Black and white panda bears frolicking amongst the thick groves of tall bamboo plants in China create a lovely image as the consumer researches new options for flooring. Bamboo flooring has been touted as a renewable, sustainable, durable and stylish flooring alternative for several years. Although bamboo flooring can be quite a lovely addition to a home, the bamboo industry in China is highly unregulated, so the consumer must be aware of the drawbacks of this floor covering choice.

Due to the rise in demand of renewable goods for construction, many bamboo products have risen in popularity in the recent years. The bamboo plant has quickly taken over the Chinese market for flooring. Bamboo is a quick growing grass which reaches maturity within about five years and due to demand, hardwood forest within China are being decimated and replanted with bamboo, since a profit can be realized much sooner than with a hardwood crop, that takes 75 to 125 years to mature. With the clear cutting of the hardwood forest, the bamboo plantation encourages erosion of the soil, causing environmental damage.

When the consumer is considering sustainable flooring, they are generally looking for a safe, environmentally friendly product. Due to the unregulated industry of bamboo flooring, glue made of urea formaldehyde resin, is often used in the production of the flooring product. Some bamboo flooring will emit gases, which is a serious air pollutant and does not meet American health standards.

Product durability within the bamboo industry is not regulated either. The durability of the product often relates to the final cost of the material. A poorly manufactured product will often show splintering on the edges, scratches on the shiny finish, and sometimes, even dull dark areas, which can be mold. This type of product would perform poorly in any high traffic areas, such as a kitchen, entry way or game room. High quality strand bamboo flooring is good alternative to consider for these areas, as it often manufactured with an extremely low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) plasticizer and can be refinished in the future.

Although bamboo can be a good choice for certain installations, the ethical, sustainable consumer must conduct individual research pertaining to each product being considered. One resource is the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). The FSC monitors and awards companies based on their stewardship of the natural environment. The buyer must be willing to make an investment in both time and money to guarantee a bamboo flooring product that meets the criteria of renewable, sustainable, durable and stylish.

Jennifer Dastur is the director of Lines and Designs Studio and a partner with the Collaborative Design Group, as well as an involved mother and community member.

Parade of Homes - Copperleaf Homes

2011-08-22T21:11:00.013-06:00

This year, Copperleaf Homes' entry in the Colorado Springs Parade of Homes was full of lovely details. From the grandfather suite with its sitting area, kitchenette and bathroom, to the children's play area under the stairs, LGA Studios is proud to add the Vista Montagna to our portfolio.

One feature that we enjoyed researching for this house was Marvin's venting picture window. This relatively new technology allows an uninterrupted piece of glazing which slides out to allow ventilation around the edges - see this video for an animation of the process.

The Vista Montagna was designed for specific family and was shown in the Parade as a model for future ideas from LGA Studios and Copperleaf Homes.

The Home Restoration: Stage Two

2011-08-15T11:40:00.010-06:00

The family at Noble Family Ranch has been busy!

It may look like they are putting in addition here in the back, but if you check out the bottom photo in LGA Studio's Stage One post on this project you'll see that there was a mud room here in the original house. It was just falling apart, so all of the framing was removed and is being completely replaced with a covered porch.

While waiting for the building permit the family did some property repair including lots of fence work! And to get ready for the extra bathroom, a septic system was installed.

Then after LGA Studio's plans were approved by the building department, the basement was dug out further to add in some much needed mechanical equipment, with new posts to reinforce the structure.

Much of the original basic framing was preserved, but new wood studs and beams were placed alongside to strengthen them. Or in the case of the ridge beam, underneath.

In the middle of all this construction hubbub, the family is even trying to register this house as a historical landmark. We're impressed!

Parade of Homes - Ron Covington Homes

2011-07-25T10:11:00.014-06:00

Colorado Springs Parade of Homes is just around the corner: August 5th - 21st. LGA Studios designed or consulted on a number of the homes in this year's parade, including Ron Covington Home's standard plan "The Madison".*

The Madison model home on display is in Covington Home's neighborhood Broadmoor View. This location is a huge perk. Many of the new developments in Colorado Springs are on the edge of town, whether north, east or south. Not Broadmoor View. Just south of the downtown and NE from the Broadmoor area, it is planned using the urban standard of Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) which values density, community amenities and efficient pathways (for vehicles and humans alike) to add richness to living in that area of the city.

The TND principals determined both its central location and the layout of the neighborhood with extras like a community garden. Click here for another photo of the area.

Our plan is part of the 'Traditions' series (in that the exterior has Craftsmen style detailing) but still has a very open and contemporary floor plan, including a Great Room open to the second story. Also note that the garage door is to the rear of the house, which keeps the front less cluttered and gives the entry a human scale.

*Note: the map location shown on this page is not correct. See the Parade of Homes map for the actual location.

Photo to the right courtesy of John Olsen

Obama Praises Architecture

2011-07-11T14:11:00.000-06:00

Eduardo Souto De Moura won the Pritzker award this year, and President Obama's speech at the award ceremony recognized the importance of architecture in our lives and of his ambition as a younger man to be an architect himself. It is encouraging to know that this country's leader has the knowledge and awareness that we are profoundly affected by our built environment.

McGinty's, by Lines and Designs

2011-07-05T09:00:00.001-06:00

You can now subscribe to the LGA Studio's blog by email. Just sign up on the right side bar on the LGA Studios blog.

This week we'd like to offer up McGinty's Irish Pub, interior design by Lines and Designs. This Colorado Springs design firm has an office right next door to LGA Studios in Colorado Springs. We have been proud to collaborate with them on a number of projects, but the work in this pub is completely theirs. The custom-designed bar, gracious seating plan and mosaic tiling created a rich ambiance for this McGinty's, located in Divide, CO. You can read more about it on the Lines and Designs Blog.

AIA Conference in New Orleans

2011-06-27T09:17:00.000-06:00

By Lisa Morrell, Assoc. AIA & LGA Associate

This year I was able to attend the American Institute of Architects (AIA) national convention in New Orleans. Of course part of my reason for attending was the chance to visit New Orleans for the first time - and it sure lived up to my expectations! The fond memories of shrimp remoulade and Jackson square have stayed with me. Additionally, I'd never been to an AIA convention before, to see what they have to offer.

On Thursday I checked in just in time for Thursday's keynote speaker: the author of "Hot, Flat & Crowded," Thomas Friedman. The gist of his talk was that there are not enough resources on earth to support everyone on the planet consuming like Americans. Still many other cultures are imitating the American lifestyle of consumption, and so we need a Green Revolution!

Between seminars I had the chance jump into a streetcar, take a balmy walk around the Garden District and lunch at the legendary Commander's Palace. Amazing food (turtle soup!) and I was treated like royalty (just partly because I have a friend working in the kitchen).

Friday was seminar day. The AIA had so many options that it took some thought to choose. Two of my favorites were, oddly, the 8:00 am sessions. I learned about the new accessibility codes, BIM software in residential projects, the environmental value of building re-use, and the architect's role in disaster response. Also, I love that LGA Studios is a small company, but that means I don't get to meet lots of different architects at work. So taking part in networking events like "Women in Architecture" was an encouraging experience!
That day I also hit the massive convention floor. Every sort of building material you could think of seemed to be represented, as well as other tools for architects like publications, software, and contract document services. A little overwhelming, but I sure got some good swag - and learned about amazing products like 3M's structural bonding tape.

The rich history of New Orleans' city design makes it an excellent site for architectural exploration. Throughout the week I wandered in and out of the French Quarter (or Vieux Carre), the heart of the original city in the 1700's. One night I had the opportunity to enter several of the original house's rear courtyards. Most of the oldest buildings were lost in fires, resulting in the institution of some of the nation's earliest fire codes. So today buildings from the 1800's are operational (if in mediocre repair) - still quite old for the USA!

The early city design of New Orleans was heavily influenced by Benjamin Latrobe, including the thin rectangular shape of the French Quarter lots. In contrast, the city of Lafayette (now the Garden District of New Orleans) is laid out more estate-style to the principals of Thomas Jefferson, who completed the Louisiana Purchase primarily for the purpose of acquiring New Orleans and its surroundings.

I'd heard of the "shotgun" style house before, and I learned how it developed in New Orleans. Typically four rooms deep and only one room wide, the shotgun house is so skinny because houses in New Orleans were taxed per their lineal feet of street frontage. The picture shown to the left is actually a double shotgun, twice as wide as the original style.

From the AIA's Pecha Kucha night to the wedding parade dancing down the French Quarter street, my trip was full of unique experiences - what a treat to be able to participate!

The CDG's latest

2011-06-20T09:00:00.000-06:00

The Collaborative Design Group, affiliates of LGA Studios, have been hard at work with their conceptual master plan for downtown Castle Rock. Check it out!

Start Small

2011-06-13T09:00:00.000-06:00

Over the last several years, downsizing has been a predominant trend in housing. This is due to a number of factors, but largely the economy and the aging of the Baby Boomer population.

Is this a bad thing? Is bigger always better?

LGA Studios would say no. Sometimes, small can be the best solution.

For America, this is an extreme example: see this 10-minute video to learn how a family of three lives comfortably in a 320 square foot shot-gun style home. The house was built specially for the family at a price they could afford without a mortgage. Their creativity and appreciation of both financial freedom and family togetherness makes the home perfect for them.

And perhaps even more extreme: this woman chose to live in a 90 square foot micro-studio in New York. The reason? Location! She has affordable rent and is just across the street from Central Park. The video linked shows how she maximizes the space she has. Things are snug, but she certainly isn't living in poverty and squalor.

Small can be stylish and sleek. Just look at this winner of the AIA's Small Project award in Wisconsin and this loft-style house in Japan. Of course, the Japanese have much practice in the art of small dwelling spaces.

Small can also be cozy and traditional, like a cottage. And it can always be very personal.

Small homes aren't for everyone, but they may be for you if you value these things:

-Lifestyle: If you want to spend more time and money on travel, hobbies and other activities, then you may consider spending less time and money on home upkeep.

-Location: By reducing building cost by reducing square footage, more building budget is available to spend on the ideal lot.

-Ecology: The building and powering of larger homes does take its toll on the environment. Literally minimizing your footprint uses fewer resources during construction and for the life of the building.

-Simplicity: If you don't like clutter or cleaning, a smaller home can help you get rid of excess and free up your time.

By having your home custom designed by a professional, you can make sure that all of your essentials (and even luxuries) are still there, that your home meets building codes and that it appears more spacious than it may be. You can explore using one room for multiple purposes and coming up with unconventional solutions for your unique patterns of use.

Is a small home in your future?

Aspen View Plan, #1576.2

Todd Liming on Co-housing

2011-05-23T13:13:00.000-06:00

A few months ago LGA Studios wrote this blog entry about the Co-housing group in Colorado Springs. Following up with some further information, here's a great article by Todd Liming of Planning Matters and the Collaborative Design Group.

Rocky Mountain Plan Company

2011-05-16T16:00:00.000-06:00

Have you heard about the Rocky Mountain Plan Company?

This internet-based group was established as an extension of LGA Studios to provide pre-designed drawings. There is everything from conceptual to complete plans available to purchase, some of them previously built and others new and innovative. In addition, Rocky Mountain Plan Co sells plans by other designers such as RanDesign and 3 Trees Design & Drafting.

The Rocky Mountain Plan Company is relatively fresh, so the design library is still being built. However, Heather Attardo, who has done much of the legwork in beginning the company, has begun posting the newest designs on the company blog.

These plans could give you the start you need in designing your house. Maybe you'll even find the exact home you have been looking for there!

Home Design Trends

2011-05-09T13:14:00.000-06:00

According to the American Institute of Architects, home improvements are tending towards an interest in home offices, outdoor living spaces and mudrooms. Also, we were happy to hear that people are still spending more on energy efficiency improvements and environmentally-friendly materials.

We've certainly witnessed the popularity of the home office even in smaller homes as more people work remotely (including the author of this blog).

Colorado Springs with its dry climate is a fantastic location for outdoor living spaces which can offer additional usable square footage, usually with less cost and with a change of setting. Why, according to a recent study, just five minutes of time in the great outdoors a day can boost your mood. Outdoor living areas can certainly make it simpler build that time in to your daily routine.

As for the mud rooms, we have seen that with smaller footprints more intention needs to be paid to efficient storage areas. This can look like anything from built-in cubbies near the garage door to dedicated private rooms of any size.

Water Conservation (by Kohler)

2011-05-02T17:06:00.001-06:00

LGA Studios learned more about the reasons and methods for water conservation from Matt Bakken, at a USGBC Colorado educational session. Some key points:

-Increased water efficiency will be required by both global shortages and impending codes

-Watersense is a voluntary program sponsored by the US EPA, which promotes a cap on the flow of household plumbing devices like shower heads and toilets. You can purchase Watersense certified products for your home to save water.

-The presentation was created by Kohler, so their non-water urinal was used as an innovative example of a solution to water overuse. Southern Methodist University installed these urinals, and saw 8.1 million gallons of annual water savings. That came out to a cost reduction of $102 per urinal!

-On a related note, Kohler also produces cast iron sinks made from 93% recycled material; yet unlike with recycled paper, the sinks look completely fresh. Follow this link and click on "Recycled & Reclaimed Material" for more information.

Energy Ratings: Save money, Help the Environment

2011-04-25T13:09:00.000-06:00

Last year, Larry Gilland became a certified Energy Rater, which enables him to perform energy modeling and analysis. Energy modeling is the process by which residential and commercial buildings can determine their performance level for energy usage. Lower energy usage will ensure that utility bills will be lower or nil and that the building is using less of the earth’s natural resources – a victory for everyone.

One of the types of software that is used for residential remodeling is REM/Rate, which establishes a HERs (Home Energy Rating) score. HERs ratings were created by Resnet (Residential Energy Services Network), a well-established organization promoting education, training and quality control. HERs scores are recognized by everyone from the mortgage industry, to the federal tax incentive program, to the ENERGY STAR program.

After the construction data has been entered into the REM/Rate software, the next step is to perform a field test to find the infiltration rates of the home’s exterior shell. The blower door test pressurizes the inside of the building and measures the air pressure to calculate the amount of air escaping. This test can be used on existing homes, remodels and new construction.

By taking into account a number of factors, the final HERs rating can be established. The HERs score will then be measured against a base line measurement, for example from the international energy conservation code, or whatever building code has been adopted in a municipal jurisdiction for minimum energy performance and heating and cooling systems.

HERs ratings are valued on a 1 – 100 scale. 100 describes a poorly insulated home with inefficient mechanical systems. A score of 1 is “a net zero energy home,” well designed and using zero energy from utility companies.

As the Resnet website says, “A homeowner who wants to upgrade the energy efficiency can use the energy rating to evaluate and pinpoint specific, cost-effective improvements.” The ratings can also be using to obtain energy-efficient mortgages, improve resale value and marketability, and make your home a generally more pleasant place to be.

The Home Restoration: Stage One

2011-04-18T10:28:00.008-06:00

A home restoration differs from a remodel in that the focus is preserving the original look and feel of the home. The floor plan remains almost the same and the same architectural style is used, but repairs are made and small changes to make the building more safe and/or comfortable.

As you can see, this house on the Noble Family Ranch in Lake George Colorado definitely needs some work. The family has owned the property for over 50 years, and now will be restoring this old farm house built in 1901.

LGA Studios' contribution is to draw original plans for the house, demolition plans, and lots of reconstruction notes. The biggest change will be adding a bathroom to the upstairs. When it built there were no interior bathrooms, only a "two-holer" outhouse (cold in a Colorado winter!).

The first step in restoration construction is demolition. Even though the roof and many of the walls will remain in the same place, most of the old material is ripped out and replaced with modern materials - current technology in an older style.

Watch for more to come on this historical restoration.

Co-housing anyone?

2010-11-11T15:00:00.007-07:00

Larry Gilland has been working with a group that has been meeting for some time, with a goal of creating a co-housing community on the west side of Colorado Springs. They have chosen a piece of land that has great potential, and are looking for more interested members/investors. They meet once a month, and would love to have other like-minded people join them.

Larry put together some rough sketches of some possibilities for the property, and sketch up models of a few different styles they could choose from. These are just concepts showing the possibilities for right now. If you'd like to see more, come to one of the meetings (one is coming up November 17) or call or e-mail Joann Gaston - 719-264-1997 or gaston.joann@gmail.com

Big House Concept - these would look like large single family homes, but would have 3 - 4 units in each building, and a common house.

This concept has a Contemporary/Southwest flavor. Some of the units would be garages with living spaces above. Unit sizes would vary

This is one of several ideas for laying out the site for the co-housing development.

If you'd like to know more about Cohousing in general - visit these websites:

http://www.cohousingpartners.com/ http://www.cohousing.org/

Bungalow Re-Greening

2010-11-05T10:46:00.003-06:00

A popular practice in the market today is renovating older homes by incorporating "re-green" principles for sustainability, energy conservation and water savings. http://www.regreenprogram.org/

LGA Studios is all for this, and since Larry and Mary currently have a home for sale that would be perfect for this idea, Larry decided to develop some ideas that the prospective buyer could think about when they purchase the home.

This home is a 1920's bungalow located in the Congress Park area of Denver. It is a typical ranch style home for the period with a living/dining room, two bedrooms (or one bedroom and an office), one bathroom, and a closed off kitchen on the main level.

The concept pictured above combines the current living room and office space into a larger living room area, adding a small desk/study area in an alcove. It has a re-designed modern kitchen with eating space at a bar which opens into the living space.

We've added set of stairs and an upper level to the home which adds a Master Suite, a loft space, and an additional bedroom and bath.

For landscaping, there is currently a mature peach tree, cherry tree, and grape arbor in the back yard, and we've added a space for a vegetable garden. In the front yard we have added low water-use landscape ideas.

Since the side elevation faces south we have added some photo-voltaic panels for additional energy conservation.

If you'd like to discuss re-greening your home, give us a call.

eMi Golf Marathon

2010-09-17T13:42:00.000-06:00

About a month ago, Larry Gilland participated in the 2010
Engineering Ministry International Golf Marathon at Shining Mountain Golf Course.

The golfers played 100 holes in the rain to raise money for Engineering Ministry International's (EMI) project fund. EMI sends engineers and architects to design orphanages, hospitals, churches, and water treatment devices in third world countries, usually working with a Christian ministry in country. After the Haiti earthquake they had teams helping people receive access to clean water and verifying that buildings (like hospitals) were structurally sound.

The golfers (red arrow points to Larry)

Part of a note from the organizer for the event:

"What a great job you did yesterday at the golf outing! In the last nine years that I have been involved in planning and working with others on this event, this has to be the best one ever. It wasn’t because of the number of players that came or the money raised. The reason that we achieved “the utmost for His highest” was the complement that I received on behalf of our organization at the end of the day. The manager told me more than once that it was a delight to have us and we are without a doubt the best group of people that they have come to a golf outing during the year..."

Remodeled to Sell

2010-08-31T14:48:00.000-06:00

Before

After

The client's idea for this remodel was to make the home more appealing before putting it on the market. There was only one bathroom, no master suite, and old kitchen fittings in this 1954 house.

After going through a series of ideas, working with contractor Gordon Stegner of Palace Homes we uncovered the cost effective solution of expanding the house into the existing garage and then adding a new adjacent garage with attic above. This would use almost all of the existing structure, add 1,084 square feet to the home (including the habitable space of the attic) and increase garage area as well.

The end result was three bedrooms and three full bathrooms (including master suite) with the ability for another bedroom and bath to be installed in the attic. Social areas of the house were visually expanded by vaulting ceilings and installing skylights as well as larger windows. Nothing was neglected when it came to replacing windows, adding insulation and updating finishes.

This home is now as fresh and functional as new, with the established central city location, landscaping and useability it has earned over time.

2010 Parade of Homes

2010-08-09T14:12:00.000-06:00

Colorado Spring's 2010 Parade of Homes includes two houses designed by LGA Studios and built by Copperleaf Homes.

We've completed numerous projects with Copperleaf over the past several years, and have been impressed with how their business is flourishing amidst these difficult economic times. Copperleaf is more than a contracting company: they are a partner to the future homeowner through the entire design process, guiding them along an expeditious and budget-conscious path to a beautiful new home.

LGA's plans in the Parade are the Bristol and the Hamilton. This year's Parade of Homes, hosted by the Housing & Building Association, runs from August 6th-22nd. The $10 tickets are valid for all days of the event and can be purchased at Safeway.

Outdoor Living Space Addition

2010-08-02T11:09:00.000-06:00

For the warmer half of the year, building a deck is a creative way to increase the usable area of the home and outdoor living. This particular deck is a spacious 938 square feet, serving both as family gathering and entertaining space. Loosely the plan is laid out with dining, sitting and food preparation areas (including kitchenette).

LGA Studios has completed multiple remodels for this client and was pleased to be invited to work for the family again, with a new contractor: Pregio Homes. The house is in a historical area of Colorado Springs which offers the challenge of remaining in the neighborhood's design requirements.

The stone walls surrounding the deck have been matched to the stone in other areas of the house, including the front porch. The flat roof over the deck was not used in homes a century ago, but the exterior view of it has been hidden by a parapet which mimics crown molding. The ceiling is flat but not monotonous due to the skylight with clerestory windows bringing sunlight into the darker reaches of the deck.

Working Remotely

2010-07-30T14:39:00.003-06:00

In this digital age, it is possible to work for a company in another state. The reason this blog has taken a break for the past month is that I, the blog author, have moved to Texas! My husband and I are not certain how long we will need to remain here, but for the foreseeable future I will continue to work for LGA Studios which is going strong in Colorado.

I will certainly miss my colleagues and clients while I'm here, but am so thankful for LGA's flexibility and technological adeptness. More blog entries will be coming very soon.

The Home Remodel: Stage Two

2010-07-30T14:01:00.007-06:00

Where we last left off, LGA Studios and the Homeowners were brainstorming long term plans for this home:

Next, with our client's budget and short-term needs in mind we worked on a "Bid Set" of drawings. The purpose of the "Bid Set" is to present contractors with adequate information to assemble a reasonably accurate cost estimate of construction. In this case our clients want a competitive bid, so the drawings will be sent to more than one contractor. Generally after the bids are returned the lowest bid within all of our parameters is accepted, but in private projects such as this the client has the right to accept a higher bid.

Another unique component of the "Bid Set" is that it can include options to be separately priced. "Can we refinish the floors? What about replacing the roof, or expanding the Nook?" the Homeowners wondered. This project ended up with a wish list which can be added in to the project as the budget allows.

What is next with this home remodel? Stay tuned to find out!

A Colorado Castle

2010-06-29T16:17:00.001-06:00

This is the story of a house which began life in a plan service and ended as a unique LGA creation.

A plan service plan is a template which can be built as shown, or modified to suit a client's taste. Often, they can save time in determining the basic design of the house. In this case, LGA Studios was brought a plan which the client had already selected. Then a number of changes were made to the layout: the Master Bedroom was enlarged, a garage was added, and a cat room and a dog room were put in the garage.

The addition of real stone usage was what set this house apart. LGA's Jamie Peterson met with a mason to find out more about stone's unique requirements. He also did extensive building code research to verify that the stone fireplaces weren't dangerous. Most of the time these days, false stone veneers are used instead of real, so knowledge of stone construction is a specialty!

The plan template did not include structural design either, so LGA coordinated the design of roof trusses and other framing elements, and applied for the building permit.

Vollmer Road Remodel

2010-06-24T10:46:00.000-06:00

We just received these gorgeous images of LGA's design for the Kenton Pass & Company home on the recent remodel tour. Click on the image to see it in more detail!

2010 Remodeled Homes Tour

2010-06-14T13:16:00.000-06:00

This year, LGA Studios had three homes in the Remodeled Homes Tour. There was this Victorian beauty by Pinecrest Construction Co, this sleek rancher by D.A. Johnson, Inc and the following remodel by the prominent Kenton Pass & Company. We are happy to report that at end of the project, these clients are happy campers.

Concept for a LEED Gold Facility in a Mountain Community

2010-06-07T10:00:00.000-06:00

LGA Studios has so many ideas which we hope to bring to fruition. This one is of a government facility with an adjacent visitor center, at a major intersection near a downtown in the Rocky Mountains.

The facility would be planned as a LEED-certified facility. The drawing above shows solar panels in the back of the site, to be shared between the two buildings, geothermal heating, and a green roof on the main building. The water run-off would be handled both by pervious paving (paving which allows water through) in the parking lot and a detention pond near the front of the site.

If this project gets built it would be a joint venture - probably as part of a design-build team. These images are a good start towards that. The drawing shown is by David Thorpe, and the three-dimensional model by Bill Fisher.

Desert View Homes

2010-05-31T09:56:00.000-06:00

LGA Studio's partner Desert View Homes was 51 in Builder Magazine's Top 100 Builders List!

Known as Aspen View Homes in Colorado Springs, Desert View is up from last year's 61st ranking and continuing to build their business despite the economy. Desert View has always focused on first-time and move-up home buyers, but has been simplifying their newer designs in Colorado so that the mortgage payments are still affordable to a large percent of the working populace.

Some of the ways Desert View Homes has honed their business of late are: helping customers with credit scores and the mortgage process, meeting construction schedules 97% of the time, and hiring more Spanish-speaking salespersons.

(above) One of LGA Studio's designs for Aspen View Homes

CSI Southwest Conference

2010-05-24T14:16:00.000-06:00

Almost a month ago, the Pikes Peak Construction Specification Institute Chapter hosted the CSI Southwest Region Conference. This was a somewhat momentous occasion for LGA Studios, because many of us are involved with CSI. Larry, a CSI Director and strategic planner, did a fair amount of the organizing for the conference.

Over the course of the weekend there were more than 70 attendees, from Las Vegas to Phoenix to Colorado Springs. We attended such educational courses as "Green Building Envelope Design," "Leveraging Project Capital Budget through Grants," and "Google Sketch-Up Energy Modeling". We ate excellent meals at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, visited the Air Force Academy and planned for CSI's future. A satisfying conference - good job to everyone who helped make this weekend a success!

Some of the Pikes Peak Chapter at the award banquet

The Home Remodel: Stage One

2010-05-17T10:00:00.000-06:00

A remodel can be more challenging than starting from scratch, due to both the technical issues of unknown construction hidden behind walls and the design issues of marrying our client's dreams to the reality of an existing house. However, the most ecologically friendly house is the one which has already been built. Besides that, historical homes can have a charm which makes all the work to save them more than worthwhile.

Take for example, this home in an older neighborhood of Colorado Springs:

Our clients purchased it with the idea of gradually remodeling over a period of years. The essential kitchen and master suite would be first, followed by the adjoining areas, then a large deck and connecting garage. They love the quirky elegance of this home but prefer clean modern lines to Victorian clutter.

With this in mind, Larry sketched the potential long-term result of the remodels:

We discussed these ideas and more with our clients, who are so excited about the project! They proposed some changes, then we came up with a plan for Stage One of this endeavor. Stay tuned for the next step!

Air Park

2010-05-08T22:57:00.000-06:00

Near Calhan airport east of Colorado Springs, our client had a great idea for their plot of land: build a neighborhood with a runway down the middle and garages for airplanes. The concept is of a commuter neighborhood for pilots.

Liya Zhoga-Dixon of our office created the three-dimensional models. Her three-dimensional models have been valuable lately in both marketing and giving a better visual impression of projects to our clients.

LGA Studios on Linked In

2010-04-26T09:00:00.000-06:00

The LGA Studios blog now has a LinkedIn group.

Larry Gilland has been able to use his LinkedIn profile to aid his involvement with local organizations and to continue to spread LGA Studios' presence in the Colorado Springs community.

Many other associates at LGA Studios are involved with LinkedIn as well. Come join our group!

Client Review

2010-04-19T10:00:00.000-06:00

Last week, we received a wonderful email from one of our clients! It begins,

"We have really enjoyed the house architecture. We agree that you captured the essence of what we were seeking. It is probably the most comfortable and functional home we have lived in, and we look forward to many years here."

Many of the undeveloped lots in central Colorado Springs are ones which have been previously passed over, since they are tricky to build upon. On this subject our client says,

"This is a somewhat challenging site, but the house sits very well on the property – the driveway especially laid out well (not too steep)."

Some other comments:

"Note that RBD [the Regional Building Department] speaks well of you – which helped this process along."

"The space of each room feels good (not too small, not too big)"

"Kitchen/Dining/Living Rooms: we entertained family over the holidays and this area worked as we had hoped."

It's helpful and encouraging to receive this sort of feedback. Thank you to our fantastic clients!

Keystone House

2010-04-12T13:50:00.000-06:00

Not all of Larry Gilland Associates Studios' work is in Colorado Springs. We have also completed projects in many other regions of the Colorado Rockies.

Residences in the mountains require resilient structural design and moisture protection in response to the mounds of snow which could cover them during the colder months of the year. LGA is familiar with all the little details which enable houses to withstand inclement weather.

In general, the Home Owner's Associations (HOAs) in the mountain towns have particular covenants when it comes to the aesthetic appearance of their neighborhoods. Often a new home will need to obtain the local HOA's approval in a several-step process. The sketch of the house featured here has been approved by the HOA in its Keystone neighborhood. The next steps will involve submitting detailed construction drawings and exterior material samples.

The Colorado mountains are certainly a beautiful place to build, but some additional expertise is necessary for success!

The CDT

2010-04-05T10:59:00.001-06:00

Last week, Dawn Streb and Lisa Morrell of LGA Studios passed the Construction Document Technologist exam! Larry Gilland already carries this certification.

The exam covers knowledge of the construction process, construction documents, and contractual relationships during the building process. This material is very helpful in understanding the building industry and will make our more complex projects run more accurately and efficiently.

The CDT is offered through the national organization the Construction Specification Institute (CSI). Dawn and Lisa participated in a study group with the local Pike's Peak chapter and read the study materials, including the dense Project Resource Manual, to prepare.

$2.5 Million Dollar Homes

2010-03-16T10:10:00.000-06:00

These days not all housing news is good, but it is still fun to see an LGA-designed house on the front page of the local paper.

Houses in the $2.5 million range aren't doing very well these days; LGA Studios has certainly seen an increase in remodeling and new mid-sized houses. As you can see, the author of this blog has had too much high-priority business to write this past month! I will work to remedy that situation.

To re-green a 1960's home

2010-02-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

LGA Studio's associate Heather Attardo was recently involved in an ecological renovation. In Las Vegas' suburbs, the 50-yr old house was archtypically energy inefficient. Although ranch-style, the hallways and bathrooms more enclosed than the modern user prefers.

The project team was headed by Craig Savage, who contacted AIBD (the American Institute of Building Design) Heather is very involved in the local chapter and participated in a remote design-charette which led to her producing the demo plans and later presenting the finished work. Heather says that the interior goals were "pretty basic; the house was not open." Some minor changes dramatically changed the flow and made the plans compatible with the flexible modern lifestyle.

From the exterior, the walls were gutted and filled with efficient insulation and then re-covered - the insulation value was more than doubled with no room inside the house lost. With a new tankless water heater and solar panels, the house can reach net zero- the same of energy is consumed and provided by the solar panels.

This project has been covered in Green Builder magazine's September/October '09 and November '09 issues (pg 21-22 and 27-28, respectively).

Bridges library remodel

2010-02-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

In 2007, Larry Gilland volunteered to design a library remodel with a team of junior high students. The North Middle school library in Colorado Springs had been long overdue for an update and the local nonprofit group Bridges decided to take on the project. Two of LGA's clients, Shelley and Jeff Jensen, led the group and approached Larry about working with them.

Larry met with the Bridges students on several occasions before school to discuss library layouts and to sketch ideas. "I was amazed at how involved the students became in the design process. They even modeled some of the project in the 3-d program Sketch-up," says Larry. From there, LGA drafted and completed the 3-d model of the facility while the Bridges program raised funds for the construction.

This was an exciting way for LGA to get involved in the community, helping students make a difference and create a enriching, dynamic place to spend time after school.

For more information about this project see this article in the Gazette, this one on the KRDO website and the Bridges description from the press release below.

Bridges was founded in January of 2006 by Jeff and Shelley Jensen. The idea was conceived out of pure frustration that we “couldn’t get things done because the district could not afford it.” We were not leveraging the people in the community who have a heart for education but don’t know how to help because the needs haven’t been clearly communicated. We also believe that the kids themselves understand the needs the best. We want ALL kids to know that they have the power to incorporate positive change and that much of our self worth can come from helping others. Therefore, the mission of BRIDGES is to “Build “Bridges” between the public education system and the community for the sole purpose of incorporating positive sustainable change”.

Holy Cross Cemetery

2010-01-19T16:36:00.000-07:00

LGA Studios and Lines and Designs have been generating ideas for a former Benedictine monastery in Canon City, the Holy Cross Abbey.

The following sketch by illustrator J David Thorpe is of the cemetery gate that would replace the current chain link fence. In the future we hope to be further involved with Holy Cross Abbey's restoration.

Local Publicity

2010-01-18T12:16:00.001-07:00

Our projects here are so unique that they sometimes make the news. This story has been passed along, here, for example.

Warmth

2010-01-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

In this cold cold weather, the heating bills can be high! Insulating well is an energy-saving "green" choice which is also beneficial to the bank account.

The graphic below illustrates where the heat created by machines and bodies goes out of the typical house.

How do you prevent this? Some ways are more obvious - double-paned insulated windows can keep down heat loss through fenestrations. Even thick curtains can make a difference!

New walls have many possibilities for effective insulation. In wood framing, efficient spacing uses less lumber and allows less gaps in the insulation inside the walls. Alternatively, there are several kinds of well-tested wall units which already include insulation - SIPs and ICFs for example. Wall insulation can come in rolls or panels, cementitious or spray form.

We recommend that our remodel clients add increased insulation to their projects. Older homes especially may need added or replaced insulation in attics, basements and walls. If a project includes LEED-certifying an existing building, adding insulation can be an easy way to get points.

Dog Wash

2009-12-30T12:42:00.000-07:00

The 21st Street Car Wash here in Colorado Springs is soon to convert one of their car wash stalls into a dog wash facility! Quite a creative business move. Inside, there will be two self-serve dog wash units. It's an extremely simple construction project but because of its unusual nature there are a number of code questions, and hoops to jump through at the building department. Our role, along with providing basic construction drawings, is to take care of these details.

Talking Rock Vacation Cottages

2009-12-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

This week we've had the opportunity to do some sketches of cottages for the Talking Rock Resort Community in Prescott, Arizona. At present there are many lots in this community available for purchase, but the cottages we're envisioning would be luxury rentals or timeshares.

The vacation spot is surrounded by the beautiful golf course that is this compound's prime feature. We laid out the cottages so that they all have private porches with views of the course. Guests would park near the lodge, then take a golf cart to their front door or to the putting greens in the center of the site.

First Gold in Colorado State!

2009-10-23T15:55:00.001-06:00

In 2008 LGA Studios designed a home for Charlie Shea homes in the Pine Creek neighborhood that has now been awarded a Gold in the Green Building Certification program under NAHB! This home received the first Green Building certification in El Paso county and the second Green Building certification in the state - which is the first gold certification in the state.

The house in Pine Creek is just over 3,000 SF with a mostly finished basement of similar size. It was planned as a "Green" building from its conception. In particular, energy efficiency, water reduction technology and resource conservation were emphasized in the technology and construction methods used.

CR Shea homes has been pursuing the knowledge and practice of environmentally-friendly building for some time and are long-time builders in Colorado Springs. Charlie Shea says about the Green Building program: “once you read and understand what the program is about and how it benefits not only the homeowner but our overall environment, it will change your attitude on the importance of green building.”

The Earthship Remodel

2009-09-22T15:21:00.000-06:00

This unique house is located in southwest Colorado Springs, and as you can see the neighborhood is lush and beautiful! An "earthship" is a house constructed of recycled tires which are covered in stucco most commonly found in New Mexico. They are built to be independent of the electrical grid or in other words "zero energy."

The windows are tilted to allow sunlight deep into the house, warming it even in the winter (the passive solar technique). Unfortunately, there are some flaws with this design, including leakage around the edge of the windows. It turns out that now window companies won't even warranty windows if they are sloped like this. We're fixing the problem by putting in new vertical windows, which will give our clients more space inside and less exposure to the elements. The roof will extended to hang over the windows to protect them further.

As long as we're remodeling, our clients decided they might as well give the outside a new look too! We worked with them to reach this design for a quaint front face with tower and minerets. The tower is over the entrance and will feature a stained glass window, which will cast its colors inside during the day and be illuminated from inside at night.

This project is being bid at the moment - we're looking forward to its completion!

Home design trends

2009-09-01T09:59:00.000-06:00

As architects we love to pioneer fresh ideas, but our job is also to give our clients what they want. That's why I was glad to see some of these trends in AIA’s (American Institute of Architect's) Home Design Trends Survey for the first quarter of 2009:

63 percent of respondents saw consumer interest in-home accessibility increasing
More homes are being designed so that is easier for elderly folks or people with disabilities to navigate them. Most or all of the living space is focused on a single floor; door, hallway and bathroom widths are widen enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

We like this trend because of the long-term focus. Many people may not require accessibility now, but as they age, sell their homes, or have disabled visitors remodeling won't be required to fit new needs.

Two-thirds of residential architects report increasing interest in low-maintenance landscaping (e.g. xeriscaping)
"Xeriscaping" literally means "dry landscaping" and is also refered to as water-conserving landscapes, drought-tolerant landscaping, zeroscaping, and smart scaping. Native plants are the focus here instead of plants which depend on daily waterings from a sprinkler.

We like this trend because it is eco-friendly and economical - so much water is wasted keeping large lawns alive! Additionally, the xeriscaping is much more natural and it really is beautiful.

Alamosa Town Center Article

2009-08-28T16:10:00.000-06:00

Our project made the City paper again, with a longer front page article this time. Check it out here!

Alamosa Town Hall Center

2009-08-26T12:36:00.000-06:00

Our proposal for the Alamosa Town Hall Center will be put to the vote on September 2nd! The city of Alamosa was planning a remodel to their current offices, but Darin Dolce of DFD Development proposes that instead they move into the former Kmart building. The Kmart building has significantly more parking, a more visible location and, unlike the remodel, won't require any of the historic buildings in town to be demolished.

As you can see by comparing this photo of the building to our poster, we are planning to completely change the appearance of the front. In addition to adding windows, brick and paint, a new grand entrance to a central atrium (complete with tower!) gives the building an old west train station theme.

Space inside the building would be sold in a "condo" arrangement to the city hall, the library and the police station and the remaining space in the building would be leased out for other office and retail uses.

The atrium at the core of the Town Center is designed to be a gathering space similar to an outdoor town square. Employees and visitors will be able to frequent the cafe and socialize.

LGA Studios worked with Darin Dolce to give the City of Alamosa a cost estimate along with the presentation drawings; we believe our project vs the remodel will save them enough money to make the move feasible. Our interior design partner, Lines and Designs, put together the presentation board.

With this project, we even made the local news!

Wild Ginger Thai

2009-08-12T13:31:00.000-06:00

At the end of the year Wild Ginger Thai will be moving, and it's been our pleasure to help them with the design of their new location. They'll be going from their current 3,000 SF location in Colorado Springs to the 8,330 SF former Eagle Graphics building in Manitou.

View Larger Map

Wild Ginger's new facility is in the walkable community of Manitou. Consistently awared "Number #1" by The Independent for Thai food in Colorado Springs, Wild Ginger already has a large group of local customers. Now they will receive more exposure to tourists as well.

Their new layout gives them much more kitchen space, a dining area seating 106, and even leaves a small rentable space (anyone want to work next door to yummy Thai cuisine?). Later on Wild Ginger hopes to add on a bar to the restaurant space.

Those of you that have seen the Eagle Graphics building will be glad to know that we'll be giving the front exterior a face-lift in this project's next phase, probably with an appropriate Thai theme.

Lines and Designs is joining us on this project to assist in space-planning and to lead in interior design. Economically, Wild Ginger will be reusing much of their equipment and furniture, including their red vinyl booths. However, by adding a great color palette, a well-thought out table arrangement and chic lighting and flooring, we think this project will be able to compete with Lines and Design's work in Conservation Hardware earlier this year.

Erosion Control

2009-08-04T14:12:00.000-06:00

Site work has begun on one of our LEED-H projects - a new house in the Broadmoor area with a lovely courtyard.

Intentional construction procedures are part of building an eco-friendly house. One of these is erosion control, or in other words, preventing the natural soils around the property from being stripped away.

Some photos of the measures we've taken are below. Stayed tuned for more eco-friendly construction facts!

Dream City 2020

2009-07-20T14:11:00.000-06:00

This past Saturday LGA Studios, in partnership with Facility Lines and Designs and Peak Development Company Inc, participated in the Dream City 2020 competition.

Our entry was a poster for a project in the conceptual phase - Mesa Park. Already developed by the Peak Development Company, these 11 lots will be built with LEED-certified homes in different architectural styles.

There isn't another neighbor like this in Colorado Springs. These homes will be energy-efficient - which in fact will save the homeowner much more money each month than any additional mortgage, spent to put in items like energy-star appliances and solar panels during construction. They will be constructed with better quality materials - both for the environment and for their living conditions. They will be built so that the homeowners can "age-in-place," without remodeling to accommodate their needs as they get older. And they'll show that "green" homes are not limited to a couple of styles. We're excited about this project, so I'm sure you'll hear more about it as we make it a reality.

Dream City 2020 gave LGA Studios and Facility Lines and Designs a chance to formulate our ideas and present them. It's great that there are so many around this community desiring to discuss their visions to make Colorado Springs a better place.

Convervation Hardware

2009-07-01T15:02:00.000-06:00

One of LGA's newly finished projects is a interior remodel for Conservation Hardware. They are also our office's neighbor in the 409 Tejon building, and what a fantastic neighbor! Conservation Hardware is a unique non-profit organization with the goal of helping the people of Colorado Springs decrease their carbon footprints. They do this by educating consumers and by selling home products - anything from CFL lightbulbs to radon sensors to composters - at very reasonable wholesale prices.

In keeping with Conservation Hardware's foundations, this project is in the process of being LEED-certified as a commercial interior. This will be the first non-profit LEED-certified retail space in downtown Colorado Springs!

Another neighbor in our very active 409 Tejon building is Facilities Lines and Designs. We hope to partner with this new interior design firm on many projects to come, especially after seeing the results of their work on the Conservation Hardware Project. They did a wonderful job choosing a palette of sustainable materials, from cork and bamboo flooring, to low-VOC paint, to using American Clay to cover many of the walls. One fun item was they collected used bottles from Rico's Coffee down the street and had them made into countertops at Satellite Design.

We had a huge team across the community working on the Conservation Hardware project. What an achievement - 95% of the new and used materials used in this remodel were donated! I especially want to mention Mark Tremmel for his contributions. Take a look at all the other people who helped out with their time and resources:

In the design process our associate Axel Bink modeled the space in Sketch-up so Conservation Hardware could get an idea of what their space might look like! Check out a couple of screen captures from Axel's model:

If you happen to be in downtown Colorado Springs, Conservation Hardware is worth a visit!

LGA's Blog

2009-06-07T21:42:00.000-06:00

We plan to share pictures and information about LGA's current projects through this blog! There is so much we've been learning lately about sustainable building, "healthy homes," and unusual building materials - it's been keeping us quite busy! Thanks for visiting and enjoy our portfolio.