Ground-Up Architectural Design Denver

Building a home from the ground up is a journey, and at drinkwineDESIGNS, we make it seamless, rewarding, and even exciting. Our full-service process is designed to bring clarity and confidence, allowing your vision to shine while we handle the complexities. Flexibility and collaboration are at the heart of our approach, ensuring your preferences guide creative decisions while we maintain a cohesive, professional design standard. Here’s how we guide you through each phase:

Client Onboarding: Laying the Foundation

Everything begins with a conversation. In our initial consultation, we dive into your goals, budget, and timeline. We listen to understand your lifestyle—do you host lively gatherings or crave quiet evenings by the fire? We draft a proposal, align on scope, and establish a partnership built on trust and shared excitement.

Pre-Design and Conceptual Assessment: Understanding Your Site

A great home is rooted in its surroundings. We conduct a thorough analysis of your property’s topography, views, orientation, and zoning to maximize its potential. For Denver locals, this might mean optimizing for urban privacy or capturing city skyline views; for Front Range clients, it’s about framing majestic mountain vistas or capturing your site’s unique characteristics. This phase ensures your home feels connected to its environment, setting the stage for a design that’s both functional and inspiring.

Schematic Design: Shaping Your Vision

In this phase, we sketch the big picture, laying out key spaces, circulation, and massing. Think of it as the blueprint of your home’s personality. We collaborate closely to align the design with your lifestyle—open-concept layouts for family gatherings, cozy nooks for relaxation, or expansive windows to bring the outdoors in. This is where your ideas take shape, guided by our expertise in new construction architectural services. At the end of this phase the goal is to have a set of drawings that we can solicit contractor bids to assemble the rest of the team. We incorporate details, material concepts and overall structural, mechanical and electrical through lines so that early pricing estimates can be assembled.

Design Development: Adding Detail

We refine the schematics and continue to work out the details. In this phase we work closely with your selected GC to ensure that we are maximizing all cost saving measures possible in accomplishing the desired design goals. We work through compromises as necessary to bring our design ideas in line with your budget goals. Working with contractors, we verify feasibility to keep your design on budget without compromising quality. This phase is where your vision becomes tangible, as we select finishes like reclaimed wood or sleek metal accents that nod to Colorado’s mountain modern aesthetic, ensuring every detail feels intentional.

Construction Documents: Ready for Permits

We prepare permit-ready drawings that cover every aspect—structural, architectural, and code-compliance. Our deep knowledge of Denver’s permitting process, from urban zoning to mountain town regulations, ensures a smooth path to approval. Whether you’re building in the Denver Metro or a remote corner of the Front Range, we handle the technicalities so you can focus on the excitement of your project.

Construction Observation: Bringing It to Life

As your owner’s representative, we observe the construction process to ensure flawless execution. From coordinating with contractors to resolving on-site challenges, we’re your advocate, reducing stress and ensuring the design is realized as intended. Our hands-on approach means your home will match your vision, down to the smallest detail, delivering a space that feels both personal and professionally crafted.

We understand—building a new home can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unclear about an architect’s role or the costs involved. Let’s address some common misconceptions to put your mind at ease.

Some assume architects only draw plans, but at drinkwineDESIGNS, we’re your partners from start to finish, managing complexities and bringing your vision to life. Others worry a smaller firm like ours can’t handle large projects, but our experience proves we deliver high-end results with the personalized care larger firms often lack.

By educating you early and maintaining open, approachable communication, we ensure you feel confident, informed, and excited throughout the journey.

Denver’s dynamic blend of urban energy and mountain proximity makes it the perfect canvas for custom homes that stand out. Our clients—whether lifelong Denverites proud of their Mile High roots or newcomers drawn to Colorado’s lifestyle—seek homes that reflect their individuality and enhance their surroundings. Imagine a couple like Sarah and Michael Thompson, designing a Wash Park home with sleek modernity and natural wood accents, elevating their neighborhood’s aesthetic. Or picture a family like the Larsons, building a Summit County retreat that prioritizes views and sustainability, contributing to the area’s reputation for thoughtful architecture.

Our mountain modern aesthetic, defined by clean lines, natural materials, and open spaces, resonates with Denver couples and families who want homes that feel contemporary yet timeless. Our adaptability ensures each project is uniquely yours, whether you’re building in the bustling Denver Metro, the charming suburbs like Golden, or the serene peaks of Grand County. We design homes that not only meet your needs but also uplift the communities around them, adding value and beauty to Colorado’s landscape.