We are excited to announce that we have successfully completed the Colfax Marathon Relay again, with two teams of five runners! A celebratory beer was had following the team photo in Studio PBA fashion.
Happy Holidays from Studio PBA!
We celebrated the holidays with the only way we know how, to grab beers with good people, including the legendary Paul Bergner!
Happy holidays from Studio PBA!
Monday's Greeter
Remi is in the office this morning to greet everybody. There are so many people in the office this Monday that she began to howl in excitement.
Site Tour - X Denver
We had the privilege to tour the completed X Denver project by the developer. Our firm had the ability to tour the spaces that we designed in conjunction with the design direction of the client, The X Company. This tour was a great learning experience for our current and new employees to inquire about the specific requirements and obstacles encountered when designing the one of a kind experience that X Denver provides.
Studio PBA - Colfax Marathon Relay - Results
STUDIO PBA - COLFAX MARATION RELAY - FINAL TRAINING WEEK
We are finally here, race week! The temperatures have dropped and our evening run was the most brisk thus far. We bounded into the Irish Snug for the last time for a pint of Blonde Guinesses. Nothing left to do but carb up and get a good night’s rest. Cheers!
Our last week’s runner spotlight, meet Fabian (running Leg 5) and Cris (running Leg 4):
Fabian “When I was young, I wanted to be faster than any other kid in my school. So, after school I started competing on track with the fastest kid the school had, not much after, I was competing with other schools which led me to finding running as good way to exercise. These days I only run to keep healthy and in good shape for any other sport or activity that may present itself.”
Cris have never been good at running but he does it because they say it is good for your health. The thing he appreciate most running outdoors is watching the seasons change. Fall days are his favorite time for outdoor running but Summer nights are a close second.
STUDIO PBA - COLFAX MARATHON RELAY - TRAINING WEEK 6
For week 6 we’re working on….slow and steady as to not get any injuries 2 weeks out from the race. A gorgeous fun run in Cheesman and Congress Parks where we were excited to find some chestnut trees! But it turned out they were horse chestnuts and were not delicious to eat (as some found out later) and we probably should not be eating things we pick up outside. And far from Denver in beautiful Santa Fe our remote runner is out with her fur baby kicking up dust on the trail.
This week’s runner spotlight, meet Xiao (running Leg 2) and Gina (running Leg 3):
Xiao never liked any sports activities growing up, her parents instilled in her that lack of exercise is the main reason why one remains petite (not because of their own DNA). This thinking started to change after she went to college and fell in love with biking and other outdoor activities. Running has turned out to be a great relaxation for her, and she is usually making grocery shopping lists in her head during her runs!
Gina has been a hobby jogger for the past decade. She loves the runners high and the health rewards to stretching those legs. A former Denverite, her favorite spot was Cheeseman Park’s loop. This will be her fourth Colfax Marathon experience and third with Team Studio PBA. Under her captainship, PBA placed 2nd in the Construction, Engineering and Development division one year to take home prize money for our charity partner Food for Thought. She will be joining the team from Santa Fe, New Mexico where she is learning the terrain of rattlesnakes and roadrunners but very excited to reunite with her PBA friends.
Studio PBA - Colfax Marathon Relay - Training Week 5
For week #5 we’re working on DISTANCE. Our longest run to date ~5 miles around the outer loop at City Park. A crisp rainy day in the park overlooking the Museum of Nature & Science and the Denver Zoo. Some of us made PRs on the run and we celebrated with perogies at Kinga’s!
This week’s runner spotlight, meet Chris (running Leg 1) and Jill (running Leg 3):
Chris started running cross country as a freshman in high school and has never stopped. While he doesn’t race too often you can find him running around Denver a few times a week with various brewery run clubs. He enjoys the physical workout and mental relaxation that running provides, nothing helps release the stresses of a long day better than a good run followed by a local beer.
Jill has been a runner as far back as she can remember, inspired by seeing her dad run the NYC marathon when she was a kid. She ran the Colfax Marathon in 2010, and even followed her father’s pre-race advice to drink a beer before the marathon, but “not a cold one” (as if that made it sound like a better idea). Not sure if it was the training or the beer, but she was able to complete the race in under her goal of 4 hours. She now runs much shorter distances as a stress relief with her exuberant canine running partner, Remi.
And here’s a blurry outtake of some of the merry crew who braved the weather!
Studio PBA - Colfax Marathon Relay - Training Week 4
For week #4 we’re working on SPEED. After a one lap warm up into Cheesman Park, our runners were free to choose anywhere from 30x30s or 90x90s (seconds of fast running x walk/slow jog) for the second lap. Our reward this week are margaritas, cheers!
This week’s runner spotlight, meet Tearar (running Leg 1) and Samantha (running Leg 2):
Tearar never understood the allure of running as a sport even as she cheered on her friends at 5ks and Marathons. However that changed in 2015 when she joined that year’s Colfax Marathon Relay to see what the fuss was about. That 10k segment was a RUSH and she has been chasing that adrenaline ever since! She prefers trailrunning to road running on mountains, in forests, in desert canyons or anywhere that promises great views and a challenging terrain.
Samantha (aka Sam) has been a runner off and on almost her whole life. Recently moving to Denver has reignited a love for all things outdoor. She loves exploring the local Denver parks on foot and by bike. The peer pressure of a company relay was just the ticket to get back in those running shoes after almost a year and a half off from running. She was also promised free beer and a cool t-shirt.
Studio PBA - Colfax Marathon Relay - Training Week 3
We are into week #3 of the Colfax Marathon Relay training at PBA. In the weeks leading up to the event, we will be spotlighting a few of our runners! We have two 5-person teams running the relay this year. https://www.runcolfax.org/races/marathon-relay/
For this week, meet Jim Naylor (running Leg 4) and Nathan Allen (running Leg 5):
Jim started running just a few months ago to train for the Colfax Relay Marathon. He ran track (short distance and hurdles) back in high school but has never trained for or ran long distance. He has always found running boring but since beginning training it has grown on him. When training started, he barely ran a 12-minute mile but since then has improved to a 9-minute mile and is running 2-3 miles every other day. Jim's ready to set a personal first (and best) in the relay marathon this year.
Nathan started running two years ago, after he graduated college. His partner, Sammi, started him off running half a mile and then walking a half a mile. Gradually it turned into running a mile and then walking a mile. Since then, he has trained and completed a half-marathon with a time of 1:52:48.
Nathan enjoys reading, watching, and learning about different technologies in shoes coming out. You can consistently find him running along the Platte River so that he can have a reason to buy new shoes to run in.
Studio PBA - Colfax Marathon Relay
Meet our runners for the Colfax Marathon Relay! They’ve just wrapped up their second week of training runs, sweating it out in 90 degree weather and enjoying a well deserved pint at the finish. Some are first time runners and some are OGs, may they all get out there and run their personal bests! Or in the least, have a great time doing it.
(from left to right: Samantha, Nathan, Xiao, Tearar, Jill, and Chris; not pictured/the rest of the team: Jim, Fabian, Cris, and Gina)
CONTINUUM + STUDIO PBA URBAN PLANNING AT SMITH RANCH
We are proud to announce a collaborative urban planning project with Continuum, Norris Design, Tetra Tech, and the Town of Silverthorne. Last week, Studio PBA team members helped garner community input in Silverthorne, presenting our framework plan for the latest phase of Smith Ranch. We heard from over 100 community members who gave lots of thoughtful feedback and comments. We cannot wait to implement this feedback into our design for their town, in a way that we think Silverthorne’s citizens will love. What a beautiful day to attend an outdoor gathering in the mountains!
AvalonBay Communities and Studio PBA Announce a new Project
Studio PBA and developer AvalonBay Communities are under contract for a new project in Capitol Hill at 7th and Sherman, where the popular restaurant Racines was previously located. This new project is still in the development phase. The total development site is 1.15 acres, spanning several existing parcels of restaurants and salons. According to the proposed plans, this structure would be 13 stories along Sherman Street, and nine stories along Grant Street. There would be 411 apartments and 314 parking spaces, some of them underground. To read more about the proposed plan, click on the link below from our friends at BusinessDen.com.
Alta Green Mountain Construction Update
Alta Green Mountain’s construction is nearing completion. This Lakewood project consists of 10 buildings with an addition club house and beautiful pool.
The Clubhouse along with buildings one through five have been completed and certificate of occupancies issued. Building six is generally complete, pending punch list items, and is scheduled for inspections. Building seven is near completion, pending exterior and stair paint, MEP trim, and appliance installation. Building eight exterior cladding installation is generally complete, with corridor paint, and unit cabinet and counter top installation in progress. Building nine exterior cladding installation is generally complete, with gypsum board installation in progress. Stone veneer is being installed on exterior of building ten, and MEP and fire sprinkler rough-ins in progress. Mailbox and gypsum board installation in progress at Mail Kiosk #2. Concrete stairs complete at Overlook amenity, with forms in place to install flatwork, and trellis structure installation in progress. Despite Lakewood Building Department being closed to public last week, the project remains on schedule to be completed by the end of May, 2020.
If you are interested in learning more about this project or to get yourself into one of this units: https://www.altagreenmountain.com/.
Happy Fall - Calls for a Brunch!
Studio PBA likes to celebrate. Today we celebrated the start of fall with a potluck brunch. Between the pumpkin scones, pancakes, fruit, charcuterie and bloody mary bar we enjoyed the great weather on our patio and share lots of laughs. Here are some snaps from our fantastic morning!
Top 8 Millennial Real Estate Trends
With the cost of real estate skyrocketing on a yearly basis, its no wonder that many millennials simply cannot afford to buy big homes as their parents did. Not only is this generation opting for smaller homes, but they are also changing the traditional concepts of how to live.
Here are the top five Millennial real estate trends as presented by OnsiteProperty.com:
1. Customized multifunctional spaces
Millennials are practical, and low maintenance when it comes to real estate. One practical concept that is fast becoming a trend for millennials is the creation of customized spaces that are creatively designed to serve different purposes.
For example, millennials often create multifunctional zones in their homes. By simply moving the furniture around, this zone can be used to study, work, sleep, and play. This concept has led to better use of smaller spaces with less furniture.
2. Open to renovating
As mentioned, millennials do not usually have very big budgets. But they are innovative, creative, and hardworking. A property which is not in the best of shape might still work with a millennial real estate buyer because they are confident that they can put it all together.
If your buyer has some experience fixing things, they will not hesitate to buy a home which needs to be patched up a bit. Especially if the property price fits within their budget.
3. Keeping it simple
Another real estate trend among millennials is keeping things simple. Unlike their parents, millennials are not into fancy lights, gadgets, and state of the art furniture and appliances. Many millennials are practical and only buy appliances that they need.
In addition, furniture is also multifunctional, compact, and portable. More importantly, all the furniture and appliances they buy has to blend into the overall decor of the home. Unlike their parents, millennials prefer to have just one parking space and not clutter the driveway with cars which are rarely driven. Comfort and practicality are preferred over luxury.
4. Open space
Avoiding clutter is another trend which many Millennials are adopting. The idea is to have less in the home and creating more space. No longer is each hallway and room packed with furniture; instead, Millennials have only essential furniture so that there is more space in the home.
Open spaces has meant keeping the floor plans simple and bright. Having a huge kitchen is no longer a prerequisite. Instead, a brighter and spacious deck is preferred where one can sit, enjoy a meal, and relax. Unlike the older generation, millennials are not into entertaining large groups of people; just a small group of close friends, and hence they do not need a large dining or living room.
5. Social media influence
Millennials often go to online reviews for everything. A real estate agent who is working with a millennial should be aware that this customer's purchase decision will be heavily influenced by social media and online reviews. Also, the real estate agency/agent will a need to have a good online reputation to stand any chance with a millennial client.
6. Sustainability
Millennials are environmental and energy conscious. As far as real estate is concerned, sustainability is a must for them. They want to make a positive impact on the environment and thus usually buy property from builders who build environmentally friendly homes.
This means that the home will have energy efficient appliances, smart thermostats, non-toxic paint, solar panels, sustainable building materials, and natural ways to cool and heat the home. The more environmentally conscious and practically designed the property, the better the chance that it will click with this generation.
7. Technology
One major real estate trend among millennials is the introduction of technology. Millennials are very tech-savvy and prefer appliances and conveniences that are modern.
From Wi-Fi in every room to the use of the smartphone to turn on appliances and devices, robotic vacuum cleaners, wireless LED bulbs, smart faucets, solar-powered light outside the home, shower meters, thermal leak detector, and hi-tech security with motion detectors. They prefer this because everything integrates to their smartphone or tablet and can be accessed anytime and anywhere.
8. Additional Income
Since property prices are constantly increasing, and because most millennials are not inclined to agree to high mortgages, they often buy a property and rent out either the basement or the unused portion. This allows them to generate additional income which they can use to pay off their mortgage.
Millennials may not have the money to buy million dollar homes, but by buying smaller homes, they are willing to invest the money to make their homes more energy efficient, spacious, low maintenance, fun to live and are environmentally friendly.
They are also open to the idea of creating shared spaces, so renting out rooms to students/bachelors and sharing the kitchen and bathroom is quite common with these buyers. Millennials are changing the way real estate works, and they are also motivating builders to create homes that are trendy, hi-tech, and utilize space practically and creatively.
This article was written by Ryan Williamson with Onsite Property Management Services in Fort Collins. All content and photographs are courtesy of Onsite Property Management
Studio PBA is in Dillon today for the groundbreaking of Uptown 240!
The Studio PBA team, Kathy Parker and Nils Jorgensen celebrated the groundbreaking for Uptown 240 in Dillon, Colorado this morning. Along with the Ottoborgo Family, Carolyn Skowyra, mayor of Dillon was present to help with the festivities. We are looking forward to seeing this project come to life and help enrich the Dillon community.
If you’re interested in learning more about purchasing one of these units, http://www.amonteam.com/uptown-240.php.
Thanks for the Shout Out AIA Colorado!
in In the News, Awards
Aria Cohousing Community featured in AARP Magazine
in In the News
Above: Pages 44-45. For full AARP Magazine article click link: https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/livable-communities/livable-documents/documents-2019/making-room-web-spreads-010819.pdf
Aria Cohousing was featured in this month’s AARP Magazine in collaboration with the National Building Museum. The edition is called Making Room: Housing for a Changing America. It’s featured the section, Part Two, Creative Solutions. Aria is a multi-generational cohousing community in east Denver. Studio PBA and developer, Urban Ventures designed this project from an existing convent, Sisters of St. Francis.
Welcome the New Studio PBA Team Members of 2019!
Help us in welcoming several new team members who have joined the Studio PBA team over the past few months. From Interns, fresh out of school to seasoned Project Managers with a wealth of knowledge — be sure to say hello if you know any of the additions or are lucky enough to collaborate on a Studio PBA project with them! Pictured below: Austin, Matt, Clayton, Peter, David, Nils, Emily and Jennifer
