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?

The High Line - New York City

New York City is made up of numerous high rises, subways and people. It would be an understatement to say that New York City, with a population of 1,585,873 within only 22.96 square miles, is a crowded place to live. When you have 69,464 neighbors within a square mile, you learn to use every inch of space you have. The City of New York City has learned this as well and a prime example of this is the High Line. 

Originally built in the 1930's, it raised freight traffic 30 feet off the ground removing dangerous trains from pedestrian paths. The line was closed in the 1980's and sat untouched for many years. Friends of the High Line, a community-based non-profit group, formed in 1999 when the historic structure was under threat of demolition. Friends of the High Line works in partnership with the City of New York to preserve and maintain the structure as an elevated public park. 

The project was approved in 2002 and construction for the rehabilitation of the line began in 2006 and the final stretch of the project opened in spring of 2011. The project is a brilliant example of rehabilitation and attention to detail. When walking down the stretch, layers of the sidewalk seamlessly merge into the landscape, benches grown out of the ground and original train tracks guide the wheels of the lounges.

Along side the High Line, new residential buildings have been erected along side hundred year old buildings, creating an architecturally intriguing backdrop for your journey down the path.  The mixture of the old and new is a constant reminder as you wind down this landscaped trail elevated above all the commotion that everything in this city is used carefully.

Before Construction Began (image
from www.highline.org)

Original Design of the High Line by 
James Corner Field Operations, 
Diller Scofidio + Renfro and 
Piet Oudolf

For more information about the High Line please check out www.thehighline.org.

Summer Watering Times

Another helpful Earth Day tip!

And please remember Denver Waters slogan!!!

Please visit http://www.denverwater.org/Conservation/UseOnlyWhatYouNeed/SummerWateringTimes/ for your summer watering needs!

Earth Day 2012

Earth Day is April 22, 2012 and we wanted to post some ways that you can participate in Earth Day through home ownership. Below you will find tips for ways to help, but in general remember to:

• Save Energy
• Use Water Efficiently
• Reduce / Reuse / Recycle
• Environmentally Protective Choices

9 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient!!!


1. Make sure your walls and attic are well insulated

2. Upgrade or replace windows

3. Plant shade trees and shrubs around your house

4. Replace an older furnace with a high-efficiency system

5. Improve the efficiency of your hot water system

6. Replace incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

7. If you buy a new refrigerator, don’t leave the old one plugged in

8. Take advantage of new tax incentives to improve your home

9. Schedule an energy audit for more expert advice on your home as a whole

For further information on how to make your home more energy efficient please read the full article at http://greenhomeguide.com/know-how/article/9-ways-to-make-your-home-more-energy-efficient

9 Ways to Make Your Apartment or Condo More Energy Efficient!!!

1. Unplug the electronic items such as computers, televisions, cell phone chargers, etc.

2. Turn down your thermostat

3. Replace incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)

4. Switch to cold-water washing

5. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth

6. Stop junk mail by going to www.dmachoice.org/MPS/ to be taken off the mailing lists

7. Use non-toxic, environmentally safe, biodegradable cleaning products

8. Use reusable bags

9. Only run your dishwasher or clothes washer when they are full

For more information please visit http://www.greenlivingapartments.com/

Godden | Sudik Architects Takes Gold at the BALA Awards!

Gary Godden Receives Award for
theRosamond Model at Lowry

Godden | Sudik Architects, award-winning Colorado residential architecture firm, collected two more Gold Awards to add to our already impressive collection.  The awards were given during this year’s International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida.  Now in its 28^th year, BALA recognizes outstanding achievement by builders and design professionals in all sectors of the residential housing industry including single-family production, custom, rental, affordable, interiors, remodeling, community and international, based on the principle that good design is not and should not be limited to high-priced and/or custom homes. "Yet again in 2011, entries from across the nation continue to push the limits of design and innovation while providing insights into tomorrow’s design trends," said Lynne Pratt, 2011 Design Committee Chairperson.

Verona at Highland Ranch

“The Albero” model, offered in Littleton Colorado’s Verona community, won the Gold Award in the Best of 50+ Housing Awards Program for the Best Attached Home More than 1,800 s.f.  This unit features an open floor plan, elegant fireplaces, wine room and a spacious guest suite. “This award affirms our commitment to designing for the rapidly growing 50+ housing market,” said Gary Godden, Principal.  “We appreciate the opportunity to design for this sector of the market.  To be honored with such a prestigious award is a credit to our valued team and our design process,” Godden added.

The Greens at Lowry

The second Gold earned by the leading architectural design firm was awarded at the Best in American Living (BALA) Awards Program.  The winner was Godden | Sudik’s “Rosamond” design in the Best Detached Home up to 2,000 s.f. category.  The Rosemond model is offered by Berkeley Homes in Denver’s hot-selling East Park at Lowry community.  “Berkeley Homes gave us a great opportunity to let our design talent shine with the Rosamond,” said Scott Sudik.  The Gold Awarded model features a two story, 1,962 S.F. open floor plan that features a gourmet kitchen, well designed flex space, an elegant formal dining room and master bedroom with a spa-like master bathroom. 

Godden|Sudik Architects Continues to Grow!

Godden|Sudik welcomes two new employees to our ever growing team, Mike Weigel and Kevin Gzym. Mike has over thirty years of architectural experience covering a variety of residential and commercial projects. Mike’s extensive background as a department manager, project manager, designer and CAD operator has given him the professional expertise to produce the highest level of quality control in product development. His dedication, attention to detail and design skills give clients the trust and confidence they are looking for and have grown to trust with Godden|Sudik Architects. Kevin, Godden|Sudik Architects newest recruit, graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2008 and was employed as an AutoCAD Coordinator shortly thereafter by the University. Kevin brings experience with residential architecture from his previous employment at Robert Hidey Architects in Southern California where he produced Schematic Design Documents and numerous renderings using AutoCAD and Revit to aid in the design process for custom and semicustom homes.