"Help Us Expand and Fix"

The Krumme Residence Addition, Built Architecture

The Krumme Residence Project was an addition and remodel to an existing cabin located on a 40-acre parcel of mountain land. One unusual fact about this project is that the original residence had never received a Certificate of Occupancy (CO), and it had not been inhabited for four years following the completion of the original log cabin. One of numerous reasons for the lack of a CO was that there was a two-car garage on southeast side of the existing cabin. Above the garage was a large, flat-roof deck. This configuration had significant leaking and other structural problems.  

The Krumme family purchased the residence, and they immediately consulted our firm for possible remedies and steps necessary to gain a CO. There were many architectural, corrective, scenic and client-preference issues that were required to be addressed in preparing a solution for the Krumme family. First, the client wanted to expand the functionality of the purchased home but they also wanted to use the existing structure to the greatest extent possible. The Krummes have two fully-grown children and grandparents who would visit and stay at the new residence during vacations. Other family members would be accommodated as well. The Krummes wanted to offer warm hospitality for family and visitors, but they also wanted sleeping quarters that would provide owner privacy and be as physically removed from guests as possible. 

In order to address the client’s visitor goals, and to mitigate the structural problems inherent in the original cabin, we recommended replacement of the garage with two new bedrooms and to design and build a new ‘great-room’ above those bedrooms. For the owner’s goals for restful privacy, we proposed a new master bedroom solution as will be explained shortly. The beauty of the home-site was enhanced by several unique rock outcroppings to the east of the cabin, and our firm designed to include these into the new plan as well. One of the inspirations to use the rock structures was to plan on an inside ‘private waterfall’ for the owners. Once this was agreed upon, a design was prepared that incorporated the rock outcroppings in the exterior deck for a hot tub and on the south side for incorporation into the master bedroom design.  

However, there were a number of issues that complicated the design process. First, to extend the existing home and build the ‘private’ master bedroom complex to incorporate the rock outcroppings would have exceeded the square footage goals of the Krummes for their new home. In addition, a large portion of mountain rock physically separated the cabin from the area for the proposed master bedroom suite. Also, there was an intervening rainwater and snowmelt drainage area. Finally, new regulations prohibited construction of a separate building to house the master bedroom suite. Therefore, the new master suite needed to be connected with the main residence. 

The solution prepared by the architect was to build an attractive covered bridge that connected the existing residence with the new master bedroom. The architect responded to the client's desire to have a sitting area and an office area as part of their private owner's retreat in the master bedroom. A lovely upper loft area was envisioned to accomplish these goals. 

The owner retreat setting was significantly enhanced by the creation of an in-home waterfall that cascaded over the rock outcroppings; it provides the sound of falling waters for the master bedroom and office complex. When not enjoying their own waterfall, the Krummes were presented with wonderful views out their southwest windows that overlook the majestic mountains surrounding the Estes Valley.

Redesign Brings Home In Synch with its Surroundings: The Rising Remodel

Bob and Jane Rising sought out Thomas Beck Architects to enlarge and remodel their two-bedroom, one bath home of 1096 square feet.  On the south edge of Estes Park's Carriage Hills subdivision their location affords great views of The Crags and the undeveloped land of Cheeley Camp.  But the original design of their home did not make the most of these beautiful views.  Thomas Beck's redesign of the home created an open floor plan that feels even more spacious than the actual dimensions of the new interior -- which grew by an impressive 58 percent to 1733 square feet. 

A bedroom was moved to the north side of the house to allow for a substantial enlargement of the family room.  This new addition to the south adds 134 square feet to the family room, its south wall mostly glass, including fixed windows that fill the peak of the cathedral ceiling. Along with another large window on the west side of this addition and a sliding glass door that leads to the large deck, the gorgeous views are now the focal point from the living room, dining room and family room.  Where the cathedral and existing ceilings adjoin in the new family room a light shelf directs soft light upward for a soothing ambiance after dark.   

The kitchen, which was originally enclosed, is situated north of the original family room but now open and much larger, the kitchen enjoys the same views as what has now become the new living room.  A total makeover of the kitchen included new appliances and the addition of a dishwasher, new cabinets, much more counter space and an island/bar.  It incorporated a small eating area, no longer needed since the redesign allowed for the addition of a dining room.  

At the east end of the house, a master bedroom with walk-in closet and adjoining bath was added.  A window on the south wall brings the great views into the master bedroom as well.  And as Bob Rising happily points out, they can lie in bed and see the stars at night.  A vaulted ceiling gives a roomy feel to the master bedroom as well.  The master bath includes a large shower with a built-in bench.  The shower and walls are tiled and feature hand-painted tiles from the Canary Islands.  The master suite is designed so that a window can eventually be replaced with a door for access to a future hot tub deck. 

Exterior changes included redesigning the roof of the entry way to complement an existing gabled roofline.  Board and batten siding was replaced with a dark-stained cedar and trim was painted green.  The existing deck was re-floored with Trex decking, an eco-friendly composite made from recycled wood and plastic.

The Rising's residence was gutted almost in its entirety. Only the original bathroom/laundry room combination remains the same.  And the Risings saw their home transformed before their eyes, because they continued to live there while the remodeling work was done.  They are delighted with the redesign and transformation.  Not only does their home now invite in the spectacular views but it is now a complement to its beautiful surroundings.              

 
River Rock Cottages

T.W. Beck Architects was chosen by Mr. and Mrs. Terry Bogener in early 2008 to design a remodel for their new venture, River Rock Cottages. The vacation lodging property, formerly known as Highland Cottages, is located on Virginia Drive in Estes Park, Colorado.

Since these cabins were built in 1901, bringing them up to code, including addressing egress issues, was one of the objectives and challenges faced, while keeping in focus the priority of retaining their Rocky Mountain cabin character. The project involved new floor and foundation plans, floor and roof framing plans, new flooring, doors and windows, new kitchens and bathrooms, and total interior updates. These cabins now offer the best of everything – authentic and historic but with all the comforts of home away from home, a tranquil setting with great viewsof the surrounding mountains, and within easy walking distance to all the amenities of downtown.

The Bogeners opened for business in summer of 2008 and have found River Rock Cottages to be very popular with visitors to Estes Park.

"Transformation: The Seckman Residence"

Larry and Cindy Seckman inherited a home in Estes Park's Grand Estates development -- an area in which almost every home is treated to truly grand views. The Seckmans decided they'd use the home as a vacation getaway until retirement, when they'll move from the San Diego, California area to Estes Park. Built in 1976 the home was on a generously sized lot of approximately 1.4 acres and was a roomy 2600 square feet, but it was truly dated -- with avocado green paneling and green shag carpet. Two bedrooms, a small bath, kitchen and living room were on the main floor while a finished workroom, small bath, and laundry area shared the lower level with a two-car garage.

Larry and Cindy came to T.W. Beck Architects with visions of a master suite, updated kitchen and an exterior for their home that would complement its beautiful mountain setting. In order to capitalize on the views, Thomas Beck suggested adding an upper floor, rather than expanding outward.

Off came the roof and an 897 square foot, magnificent, private master suite was born. Tucked up into the vaulted ceiling of the new great room below and overlooking the main level living area, an elevated walkway runs the length of the addition which spans the house end to end. A large master bedroom occupies one end of the new space while on the other is an office/study/den including built-in shelves, computer work station and a sitting area with a gas fireplace as its focal point. The study is open to the living area below while the master bedroom has a half-wall with glass above which also provides an overlook to the great room. Between these rooms, and accessible from either, is a beautiful master bath and huge walk-in closet. Two-story dormers were added to the exterior at the level of the new addition to bring the views in to both the master bedroom and the study.

The main level was reconfigured as the kitchen moved where one bedroom had been, freeing up space for a dining room. The added dormers provide natural sectioning to create separate, cozy living room and family room areas while maintaining the spacious openness of a true great room. Converting the old wood-burning fireplace to gas allowed the beautiful, existing rock chimney to remain, despite the added height of the house. The main level guest bedroom now has a private bath and an additional powder room was added just off the dining area. On the lower, garage level the bathroom and laundry room were enlarged substantially and updated.

New Pella windows were selected for the addition and replaced all existing windows as well. The old, gray siding exterior was replaced with new, stained cedar and the home has a new composite roof. The deck, made of recycled plastic and wood 'Rhinodeck' planks, now wraps around three sides of the home for the utmost enjoyment of the views and the outdoors.

The contractor for this 'extreme makeover' was Ray Duggan. Truly transformed, this home that was dated and outdated is now a contemporary, mountain beauty which the Seckmans look forward to enjoying for many years