ACE Mentor Program

For the last 7 years Alex Jewett, our Associate Principal, has been participating as a volunteer with the ACE Mentor Program.  At Godden | Sudik Architects we are always looking for ways to contribute to the community and this is just one of the many programs our employees are involved in.

 The ACE Mentor Program of America, Inc. was founded in 1994 and stands for Architecture, Construction and Engineering. The program focuses on mentoring high school students and inspiring them to pursue careers within design and construction. 

 This year, 15 different high schools participated in the program, include Smokey Hill High School, the school where Alex mentors.  During a 15 week program the students work on a studio project based on an actual site within Denver area.  To help gain a basic understanding of the various fields within Architecture, Construction, and Engineering; mentors, such as Alex, give presentations on different disciplines that pertain to the program and project.  The mentors then help guide the students  while they develop their designs.  Once the designs are complete students give a five minute presentation of their project to actual professional within the industry.  At the end of the program ACE holds a "Dollars for Scholars" dinner for students, parents, mentors, and sponsors.  The dinner is designed to identify those students that excelled in the program and who are graduating high school.  If any of these students are continuing on to college to study one of the various fields they are awarded a scholarship. This year $36,000 in scholarships were awarded to nine students. 

 This great program offers students interested in architecture, construction or engineering an opportunity to gain some knowledge prior to college about the industry and have some very valuable hands-on-experience with industry professionals.

For more information about ACE Mentor Program or to contribute

 to the program, please visit http://www.acementor.org/.

Box City

Denver recently wrapped up their annual Box City day which Godden | Sudik Architects, in past years,has had employees volunteer for. The event is a great example of how the Denver Metro Area is educating kids in a really fun way about historic preservation and urban design. They use items such as boxes, empty paper towel rolls, art supplies, etc. to create buildings and communities based on their own creativity.

This is an annual event that is open to the public and is a really great experience for kids!

Check out AIA Colorado's website for more information and pictures http://aiacolorado.org/events/COArchitectureMonth/BoxCity.aspx.

Verona Active Adult Community

Recently, the Godden | Sudik Architecture team went to our 50+ Active Adult living community, Verona. The 6 unit townhome has been completed for a few months now and the 10 unit condominium building is under construction. Completing frame walks of projects done within the firm is a great way for us to learn more about what our colleagues are working on and different construction methods employed throughout the firm and industry. Below are some pictures taken by people within the office of the frame walk.

Please check www.goddensudik.com for a link to our YouTube page with a video of the frame walk.

Denver's Housing Market

Here at Godden | Sudik Architects we have noticed a trend in the Denver Metro Area. Within our office, it would be easier to say who hasn't recently bought a single family home or is currently looking. It seems homes are moving so quickly, that if you don't schedule a showing for a desirable home within the first 24-hours it is listed AND make an offer, you will miss out on a great opportunity.  A recent article in the Denver Post stated, "Denver is No. 2 in the nation for the shortest length of time that a home is listed before being sold ..." It can be frustrating and stressful, but in the end, it's really a great thing! It means that our economy is really bouncing back and people are feeling safe enough to make large purchases, such as homes! With the economy being down for so long and builders choosing to build more townhomes and apartments the past few years, this has left the Denver Metro Area with a single family housing shortage. 

So, we would like to know, how many of you have recently bought or are looking to buy?