Architectural Design Services Boulder

Rowland+Broughton Architecture / Urban Design / Interior Design (R+B) is a progressive, high-design firm focused on interior design services and architectural services. With studios in Aspen and Denver, Colorado, our combined mountain and urban sensibilities inform and enhance a wide spectrum of projects, including custom residential, commercial, hospitality, interior design, and master planning services.

Established in Aspen, Colorado in 2003, R+B architects have earned a reputation for critically thinking with a body of extraordinarily creative, diverse solutions. Our hands-on, customized project approach has led to a remarkably high number of repeat clients and a high rate of project success, no matter the challenging environmental or community condition of the existing building or site, including Boulder.

The R+B design philosophy is built upon the belief that architecture, landscape, planning, interior design, and urban design services are all interdependent of one another. The architects discern client needs and approach each project with a focus on understanding its regional and environmental impact, as well as the cultural and personal ambitions it aspires to meet. This is achieved by our team of architects, who listen to each client’s design goals, work with all interested stakeholders throughout the project, conduct extensive historical and community research, apply new technological solutions, and test creative materials and applications.

R+B architects work on a wide range of services that begin with an analysis of the project site, zoning, and code requirements to build within the project’s programming and parameters for Boulder. The architects work closely with the clients to collaborate and ensure submittals are presented in a way that will increase likelihood of approval so that each of the projects can remain on schedule.

Our architects have worked successfully with a multitude of consultants and specialists and enjoy the collaborative experience. We have also found that our team of licensed interior designers and architects can provide increased efficiencies when they work together seamlessly on a project’s interior design and architectural needs. This provides unique services to a client to design their project with a thoughtful integration between the interior and exterior design, thereby creating fluidity when moving from one space to another.

The interior design services and architectural design services process provides an exciting journey that utilizes creative problem-solving practices to assess a Boulder client’s goals and transform their inspiration, ideas, and visions into a reality. There are five phases in this process that help to guide the architectural designers and clients from the initial meeting through to the completion of their home. The phases of the architectural design services include:

Programming or Pre-design Phase 

The architect will define the architectural programming of the project’s values, goals, and needs for the new home or building to establish the vision for the space(s). An in-depth client questionnaire is completed at this time so that the scope, features, purpose, and functionality will align with the client’s lifestyle. The pre-design phase is a crucial phase during the design development process and it lays out basic costs and contract details. 

Schematic Design Phase 

During the schematic design phase, the architect will begin to give shape to the vision of the Boulder project through drawings and illustrations for the owner’s review. These drawings and specifications are often done initially via basic hand sketches and then moved into a 3D software that enables efficient alterations that are effectively communicated to the client. It is important for the architect to establish a clear decision-making process with the client at this time. The schematic design that is crafted during this phase will start to form the schedule and construction budget requirements. Once this phase is completed, then the project will begin the community review process led by the architect in Boulder.

Design Development Phase 

A thoughtful extension of SD, the architect will build designs from documents based upon the approved SD package so that more detailed information can be obtained and layered in by consultants and team members as the systems, preliminary structure, material selection and detailing will be coordinated and enhanced during this phase. Based on the drawings and documents created, the architect will prepare floor plans and building elevations for initial review and approval. At this time, 3-D drawings and concept renderings by the architect will help the client to better understand the client’s commitment to the design before moving to the next phase.

Construction Design Phase

The architect will prepare computer drawings and specifications/construction documents that are suitable for the Boulder permit submittal and project’s construction. The drawings and specifications in these construction documents (CDs) are instrumental in the efficient construction of a home or larger project. Whether the building is existing or new, this phase requires very thorough coordination with consultants to ensure all items are properly relayed in the construction documents.

Construction Administration Phase 

The construction administration phase is often referred to as Construction Observation and ensures that the project’s integrity is upheld until it is completed. Throughout the construction administration phase, the architect will maintain weekly or bi-monthly site visits, create accountability and the opportunity for last minute (hopefully minimal) changes to be made in the field to meet the client’s needs.

The client can expect a varying timeline and cost for completion of the project depending on the size, range of interior and architectural services provided, complexity, Boulder permitting approval process, the client’s ability to make decisions, and the overall needs of the project.

We hope that this overview of the services, phases, and estimated timeline helps to give enough information to embark on the exciting journey of an architectural design project in collaboration with our architects and contractors.

Also check out other locations we serve including Jackson Hole, Bozeman, Aspen, Breckenridge, and Telluride.