the future of design You’ve seen the headlines: City-dwellers are decamping for the suburbs in droves. Homeowners are outfitting their spaces with germ-zapping UV-C lights, antimicrobial nanocoatings, and footwear-sanitizing stations. And architects are whipping up designs for work-at-home beds and touch-free package portals. To be sure, the COVID-19 pandemic has inspired some folks to make major lifestyle changes, but the more common response, according to the architects and designers we’ve interviewed, has been to take a good hard look at the places we call home and figure out how we can make them safer, more functional and comfortable, and better aligned with our values. “We’re in a phase where we’re making the spaces we already have work better,” says Nate Jenkins, associate principal at Denver’s OZ Architecture. “Adaptability is the theme.” Here’s what that looks like in the places we live, work, and play. • by CHRISTINE DEORIO
defined rooms connection to the neighborhood more natural light and outdoor access
illustration by HTA DESIGN LLP
DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 | 5280 HOME |
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the future of design live
THE NEW HOME VALUES Together But Separate
OZ Architecture’s Nate Jenkins helps us imagine the design shifts that will allow apartment, condo, and loft dwellers to live (and work!) safely and comfortably in high-density multi-family residential buildings.
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The year 2020 may have influenced lifestyles more than any period in recent memory, but we aren’t in uncharted territory. Throughout history, epidemics have transformed how and where we live—cholera outbreaks inspired the 19th-century redesign of London and Paris’ infrastructures; fears of tuberculosis spurred 20thcentury modernist architects to design light-filled spaces defined by clean, smooth surfaces. What kinds of homes will emerge in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic? We asked architects Chris Gray and Steven Perce, co-founders and principals of Boulder-based Bldg Collective, to share what’s taking shape on their drawing boards now. bldgcollective.com 5280 Home: What are the biggest lifestyle shifts you’ve noticed in 2020, and how are they influencing home design? Chris Gray: People are discovering new and smarter ways to use the spaces they already have. Some have learned they don’t need as much space as they thought. Others are thinking about more creative solutions for storage. And many are realizing the importance of connection to their neighborhoods and humanity—they want to see the street from inside. I think the pandemic has caused people to reflect on how they live their lives and what they need, and I think that’s a positive shift toward a values-based approach to design.
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So we’re less superficial now? CG: I think it’s about balancing a focus on things that look cool with what really works with how a family lives. It’s not really about what countertop material you have. It’s does my house work with our school situation, our work situation, and our entertaining situation? Steven Perce: We’ve also seen a shift away from people making decisions based on what they think the market wants. More than ever, they are focusing on their true needs. And what are those needs? CG: It goes back to the fundamentals of good design: spaces that have a strong connection to the outdoors for natural light, fresh air, and views; and a variety of spaces that can accommodate different scales of activity. Such as? CG: [A home] can’t be all one big open concept. You need more intimate spaces that can serve multiple purposes, and that are for people to use by themselves as opposed to with the whole family. Extra bedrooms are a perfect example. If you’re not having any guests, it’s an awesome place for an office or for kids to study in. SP: There’s a British term for a small-scale space like this: a “snug.” We typically put them off of the main living space, and they’re great, flexible spots to read or work or exercise without disturbing—or being disturbed by—everyone else.
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At a time when the future seems uncertain, how can homeowners best plan for it? CG: Future-proofing might mean designing spaces where people can age in place; perhaps there’s a main floor guest suite that could later be turned into a master suite. And in the meantime, it could be a perfect space for an office, or for a senior family member to live in. What should Colorado’s design community plan for next? SP: The Colorado lifestyle has been on the upward trend for the last six or seven years, but I think it’s going to accelerate dramatically in the next five years. Those working from home no longer have to be tied to where their company is located, so they’re asking themselves, “Why am I living in Houston when I could be in Boulder?”
NOW: A large, indoor fitness center for residents to share NEXT: Less-crowded fitness rooms with fresh-air ports, such as roll-up garage doors and sliding glass doors WHY: “The elliptical machine a few inches away from the rowing machine—that’s out the window. But open-air workout spaces with different flooring surfaces (think: artificial turf areas that mimic grassy playing fields) are definitely happening.” NOW: Crowded elevators that take forever to arrive NEXT: Smart elevators that get passengers to their destinations more efficiently—and that prevent large crowds from forming in lobbies—by making fewer stops WHY: “Intelligent elevators are most common in office buildings—try them out at 1144 15th Street or 1401 Lawrence—but they’re coming to the apartment realm. The service is ondemand, and you can see how many people are on each car and plan your ride accordingly.” NOW: Single-purpose furnishings NEXT: Smart furniture designs that facilitate working from home WHY: “Multipurpose built-in furnishings are something most developers have rejected because of the high replacement cost, but that’s changing, especially among smaller, more agile firms. For one Denver project, we’re building Murphy bed–inspired rotating wall beds that convert to home-office setups—complete with a full-height bookshelf system.”
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RAUL GARCIA, STYLING BY KERRI COLE (2)
An example of a “snug” in one of Bldg Collective’s residential projects
NOW: A glittering pool NEXT: Smaller, more intimate outdoor lounge areas WHY: “I think the public pool is gone. It’s a real space hog, it’s seasonal and expensive to put in, and pandemic-spurred rules and restrictions eliminate all the fun, impromptu pool-time interactions. All that real estate is now going to partitioned hangout spaces that create outdoor access for everyone.”
the future of design work
Pandemic or not, for many employees, working from home is becoming the new normal. As a result, creating at-home workspaces that can offer multiple family members privacy, function, and comfort promises to be one of the biggest design challenges of the decade. Among the creatives tackling it is Denver-based interior designer Kirsten Brundage. In 2016, her firm, the Interior, helped design Shift Workspaces’ Bannock campus, which quickly became one of the Mile High City’s most popular coworking spaces. We asked Brundage to troubleshoot the work-fromhome design dilemmas that have cropped up this past year—and to share her best advice for creating a savvy workspace that’s in it for the long haul. the-interior.net Problem: Your Zoom-meeting backdrop could use some color or pattern. Solution: A magnetic wallcovering. “Weitzner makes a magnetic wallpaper (available at Egg & Dart) that looks like linen and comes in a rainbow of colors, from brights to neutrals—a tasteful way to hang notes and reminders on the wall,” Brundage says. If you have children, go for a durable vinyl wallpaper that can handle doodles and messy fingerprints. Brundage’s pick: Schumacher’s “Views of Paris” pattern.
Problem: You’re still sparring with your spouse over who gets the designated office area each day. Solution: A built-in desk. Have a guest room you use only a few times a year? Brundage says its closet could be a perfect spot for a built-in desk, cabinet, and floating shelves. “If you’ve got the space, this is the way to go,” she says. “I might mix a custom desk by Vonmod— who could pair a laminate top with a raw-wood edge—with a colorful seat by Blu Dot.”
Nesting With Grace blogger Brooke Christen turned a guest-room closet into a bitesize office with big personality.
Problem: Your back is in knots from working at the kitchen table, but you’re not ready to splurge on a fancy desk and ergonomic chair. Solution: Smart, flexible furnishings that can function elsewhere in the house when you’re not working, or if you eventually return to your real office. A Parsons-style dining chair, for example, could pull up to an indoor console table that doubles as a desk. Or, if you prefer working from the sofa, consider investing in one with built-in outlets, integrated end tables for laptops, or frames that incorporate storage space for books and papers. Brundage’s favorites: Jae Omar Design’s Prometheus sofa and Rose Tarlow’s Library sofa. Problem: Your important work documents and to-do lists are comingling with your kids’ finger paintings.
Solution: A multipurpose filing cabinet. “Commercial office furniture manufacturer Deskmakers’ Synapse collection [available locally through Interior Concepts] includes a file cabinet on casters, which I customize by upholstering the top,” Brundage says. “It’s a seat and storage spot that can
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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: COURTESY OF SCHUMACHER; COURTESY OF BROOKE CHRISTEN; COURTESY OF DESKMAKERS
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BACK IN BUSINESS
tuck under a desk at the end of the day.” Further whittle down your papers by going for doors you can write on. “At Shift, and at my own office, we applied a white laminate surface to doors and cabinet fronts,” Brundage says. Jot down notes with a dry-erase marker, wipe clean, and repeat.
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the future of design play
Never has having outdoor space at home felt like such a necessity. Thanks to Colorado’s sunny climate, our al fresco areas have become the go-to venues for socializing, exercising, playing, and simply decompressing. “The outdoor room is not losing any momentum,” says Dan DeGrush, senior landscape architect for Lifescape Colorado, “but now, clients are exercising patience by building a project in phases, to make each phase exactly what they want.” (Think: higher-end finishes, nicer materials, and more expensive design elements installed in budget-friendly increments.) Here, DeGrush shares some ways to get the most fun and function out of your outdoor rooms—no matter the season—for many years to come. lifescapecolorado.com
Restaurant-Style Ambiance Dining at home doesn’t have to be dull, says DeGrush, who takes a sensory approach to recreating a restaurant’s lively vibe on a patio: “It’s background sound from water features and music. It’s mood lighting—overhead bistro lights or up-lights on trees—that creates an inviting glow.”
Staycation Amenities “If someone can sit in their backyard and it lives like a resort, that’s a win,” says DeGrush, who has been watching the demand for swimming pools steadily rise, even among homeowners with limited backyard space. (For these smaller properties, an 8-by-8-foot or 10-by-10-foot in-ground swim spa is a popular alternative, he says.)
Trending Toys & Tech
Three products designed for fun and fitness at home provide solid evidence that staying in really can be better than going out.
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Seasonal Functionality Outdoor heaters are an easy upgrade that can make an outdoor escape more welcoming yearround. DeGrush’s tip: Skip the propane heat lamps, which just warm the air, and opt for infrared versions instead, which heat objects for longer-lasting warmth. And, as the days get shorter, outdoor lighting—ideally from multiple sources—is a must. “It adds a whole new dimension to the space and a more comfortable, luxurious feel,” DeGrush says. “It’s like going from cloth to leather seats in your car.”
1. GOLFZON GOLF SIMULATOR With a real-play experience on more than 190 world-class courses, plus sensors that capture data on your golf game, impact, and spin, you can practice (and perfect!) your swing without leaving the house. Available at Bravas Colorado, residentialsystemsinc.com
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Fun For The Whole Family There’s a better way to keep little tykes moving than sanitizing every surface of the public park’s jungle gym. “For kids, we’re transforming empty yard corners with playhouses, mini patios, and fairy gardens,” DeGrush says. As for parental play time? “We’re seeing a lot of outdoor televisions and sound systems— clients want to invite neighbors over to watch a football game but don’t quite feel comfortable having them inside the house. These outdoor amenities help them stay social and safe.”
2. SUNBRITETV OUTDOOR TV A weatherized television display you can mount anywhere without sacrificing picture quality—choose from three different lines designed for full-shade, partial-shade, or full-sun exposure. sunbritetv.com
Lifescape Colorado designed this rooftop refuge for year-round outdoor enjoyment.
Spaced-Out Seating Areas “Humans are meant to be together, and patios can help them do that at home,” says DeGrush, who recommends creating subtly subdivided seating areas that allow friends and family to connect at a safe distance. “You might have two or three people around a firepit, another two or three can gather around a table, and two or three more can be around a water feature.”
3. FORNO BRAVO PIZZA OVEN No matter which model you choose, these state-of-the-art modular and assembled wood- and gas-fired ovens (some made right here in Colorado) will give everything from pizzas to breads to meats an authentic woodfired flavor. fornobravo.com
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EMILY MINTON REDFIELD
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OUTDOOR OASIS
the future of design shop
THE ESSENTIAL ENTRYWAY
Long live the entryway, which serves as a physical and emotional portal into the home; a place to prepare for an outing or to leave the stresses (and germs!) of the outside world behind. Here, Julee Jordening-Wray, principal of Denver-based design firm Truss Interiors, outfits an inviting foyer with all the things we need right now. trussinteriors.com
Burl Buffet, $3,250, HW Home, hwhome.com “I love the beauty and practicality of a really nice console when you walk in the door. This piece offers lots of great storage space, and the burled wood finish is gorgeous.”
Arminda Mask Set in Canyon Rose & Rust, $25; Star Studded Mask in Deep Navy, $13, Joyfolie, joyfolie.com “Fun cloth masks to grab on your way out the door.”
Antimicrobial CleanKey, $25, KeySmart, getkeysmart.com “Attach a carabiner so you can easily hook this onto your purse or belt loop.”
Air Mini+ air purifier, $499, Molekule, molekule.com “No, this won’t protect you from COVID-19, but it will remove allergens and dust particles for cleaner air.”
Paddywax Hand Sanitizer, $6 for 2-ounce bottle, at Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com “Each bottle of unscented sanitizer features a humorous little saying to welcome you home.”
Brooke Boot Tray in Gold, $158, Anthropologie, anthropologie.com “Shoe cubbies in a mudroom? Yes. In a foyer? Not so much. A pretty boot tray is more elegant solution. Just tuck it under a console or bench—and it’s easy to spray off and wipe down.” Anza Polychrome Rug, from $149 for 2.5 by 7 feet, Ruggable, ruggable.com “Ruggable offers washable solutions that don’t look cheap, yet are completely affordable. And they’re low-pile, which ensures you can still open up your door.”
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF JOYFOLIE (2); COURTESY OF HW HOME; COURTESY OF PADDYWAX; COURTESY OF RUGGABLE; COURTESY OF ANTHROPOLOGIE; COURTESY OF KEYSMART; COURTESY OF MADE GOODS; COURTESY OF MOLEKULE
Logan trays, set of two, to the trade, Made Goods, madegoods.com “A stylish spot to display candles and vases—or to set keys, mail, and masks— on your entry console.”