Harmonious by Design

Denver’s urban landscape is defined by its architectural variety. An eclectic mix of historical and modern styles, structural forms, and aesthetic leanings co-exist within our city limits. Over time, tastes and lifestyles change, whether in response to new tech (remember landlines?), shifting priorities, or development codes handed down from on high.

Travis Hendrix is an associate principal at KGA Design Studio, a nationally recognized architectural firm specializing in residential design, and understands the evolution of Denver’s built environment better than most. He’s Vice President of the executive board of the Metro Housing Coalition, a member of the Government Affairs Committee, and a board member of both the Custom Builder and Remodeler Council and the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver.

“When you’re buying a house that was built 100 years ago, there’s probably not a modern-sized kitchen, or the living space might be sectioned into smaller rooms, or the bedrooms don’t have any closets,” Hendrix explains. “Usually, when people choose to remodel—or completely rebuild—it’s about achieving a desired quality of life while meeting a certain amenity level.”

There’s a saying that ‘the only constant is change,’ but when storied neighborhoods become unrecognizable, that adage can feel like an albatross. KGA understands the importance of bridging preservation and innovation, past and future. “We do a lot of work that’s rooted in history and traditional architecture,” Hendrix says. “That same logic also applies when we take on a project that’s contemporary or very modern—we always want to create an appropriate balance.”

Striking a Chord

An intentional harmony underscores each of KGA’s projects. “Architecture and music are similar in a lot of ways; they’re both all about composition,” Hendrix explains. “Architecture reminds me of a symphony because architects, like conductors, are coordinating so many different instruments, materials, and timelines at once.”

Denver’s architectural profile speaks to the city’s unique history and how the U.S. matured west of the Mississippi. “Dever’s growth was influenced by the railroad,” Hendrix says, “So, you get a mix of Sears houses that were just flatbed shipped out here and built. Then there were people building around the Victorian era. Denver also has Art Nouveau and Art Deco influences.” The Mile High City’s location in the middle of the nation resulted in transplants arriving from the East Coast, the West Coast, and from the south, so its urban landscape incorporates elements from each of those regions. The post-WWII era saw a surge in suburban growth, spurred by Denver’s abundance of undeveloped land, but focus shifted back to the city in the 2000s.

Our city’s culture and our history are embedded in the built environment. “We have this pioneer spirit of pursuing growth and moving forward and getting things done, but part of that is also making a place for everybody,” Hendrix asserts. “If we don’t do that correctly, we’ll end up in this inverse where only a certain few can afford anything. On the other hand, there’s a sterility that comes with just cutting and pasting stuff around town.”

Denver is still in the process of finding that equilibrium. “Holistically, the ideals of the Wild West have been to own your own land and be able to carve out a place for yourself in the world,” Hendrix says, “In the wake of Denver’s recent growth, I fear we’re starting to lose that a little bit.”

Working in Concert

KGA is client-directed, large enough to devote the proper resources to each project, but also small enough to offer a boutique, hands-on experience. Their motto encompasses this philosophy: “the best design is the one that serves the client.” The firm also always “designs for the land.” Hendrix clarifies that, “When we’re doing a mountain property in the middle of open acreage, for example, we look at how the home sits into the hillside and what the relationships are to certain views. In the city, the topography of the urban landscape around the project influences our designs as well. If a client wants to do something really ambitious, we’ll work with them to decide how to best realize their vision while still respecting the neighborhood.”

A recent project in Wash Park exemplifies this approach. Designed in the provincial French tradition and remodeled for the contemporary urban family, the home marries aesthetics and amenities, while responding to the natural rhythm of its neighborhood. “I’m highly aware of how neuroscience and architecture inform each other,” Hendrix says. “Humans are built to look for certain patterns, and we feel good when we see things arranged in specific ways.”

Designing for that harmonious balance is KGA’s forte. “We have a really vibrant and eclectic architectural environment in Denver, that’s for sure,” Hendrix says. “And there’s also a lot of neighborhood pride.” By honoring the long-standing aesthetic of a locale while also building for the way we live now, KGA’s work promises to resonate for generations to come.