We were called by a homeowner in Erie, Colorado whom wanted and needed a larger home. Mom and dad had two kids and they were living in a 1,500 square foot one story home. They knew as the kids started to get older that ‘space’ was needed for all of them, real soon.
They requested our Consulting Services to analyze the existing conditions, conduct preliminary zoning and building department queries and help them visualize through our architectural design plans, what would be a viable option to obtain more space.
We developed a Scope Of work program for additional space that would allow each child to have their own bedroom and a new Master Suite Addition for the parents; but where given the site constraints?
Fortunately their attached two car garage was a bit oversized/deep, allowing a comfortable and proportioned Master Suite (about 500 sq. ft.) to be designed on top of this space as a Second Story/Pop Top Addition. One of the first challenges is locating the stairs in a modest sized first floor plan. The solution we came up with is to take the back three feet of the garage and locate the stairs ‘internally’. This saved a significant amount of construction funds from being spent on the need for a two story stairwell onto the existing exterior wall and taking up valuable yard space. Access was from a three foot wide opening we created adjacent to the kitchen and living room, to access the Second Story. We designed stepped pattern windows up the stairway, providing light into the stairwell as well as a view to the backyard trees. The ‘angled’ area in the back of the garage and under the stairwell, provided storage space shelving inside the garage.
Additional benefits to this design included: saving tens of thousands of dollars from them having to move out during construction and then back in again; no disruption to the kids schools; parent(s) working from home remained a homogeneous routine; neighborhood proximity of relationships retained; and even the dog was able to maintain and enjoy his familiar surroundings close by.
After we completed the schematic design plans, they asked us to come up with a category line item construction estimate. We did this along with providing other pertinent project costs to be considered. This included our Architect and engineering fee, consultants costs and city fees.
These same design concepts can be provided to homes in Westminster, Lafayette, Niwot, Superior, Dacono, Broomfield and other towns in Colorado.
If you’re considering a Second Story/Pop-Top Addition, One Story Addition or new Custom Home, give us a call for a preliminary discussion on how we can help your dreams to become a reality in a creative, quality, cost-effective and timely manner.
Best Always!
Barry R. Shaw AIA, GC
BSA Inc. Design & Construction
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