Pop-Tops & Second Story Addition Design

Adding a second story or pop-top to your home is a significant undertaking, but at drinkwineDESIGNS, we make it seamless and rewarding. Our process is built on flexibility and collaboration, ensuring your preferences guide every decision while we maintain a cohesive, professional design standard. Here’s how we bring your Denver pop-top design to life:

Client Onboarding: Starting with Your Vision

We begin with a conversation to understand your goals and needs. Are you seeking space for a growing family? Or perhaps you’re expanding to accommodate a new lifestyle? We draft a proposal, align on scope, budget, and timeline, and establish a partnership that feels personal and inspiring.

Pre-Design and Conceptual Assessment: Evaluating Your Home

A successful pop-top starts with your existing structure. We assess your home’s foundation, roof, and zoning requirements to ensure the addition is feasible and integrates seamlessly. For Denver locals, this might mean navigating tight urban lots; for suburban clients in Lakewood, it’s about maximizing views or yard space. This phase ensures your addition enhances your home’s character and functionality.

Schematic Design: Shaping the New Level

Here, we sketch the layout of your second story and how it integrates with your current layout—whether it’s a full pop-top or a partial expansion. We collaborate to align the design with your lifestyle, like creating a spacious master retreat or a versatile playroom. This phase shapes the personality of your vertical home addition design, ensuring it blends with your home’s existing aesthetic. 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: Refining the Details

We turn schematics into detailed drawings, selecting materials like natural wood or modern metal accents that echo Colorado’s mountain modern aesthetic. Working with contractors, we verify structural feasibility and keep your project on budget. This is where your addition starts to feel tangible, with every detail carefully considered.

Construction Documents: Permit-Ready Plans

We prepare comprehensive, permit-ready drawings that cover structural, architectural, and code-compliant details. Our expertise in Denver’s complex permitting and zoning processes ensures smooth approval, whether you’re in the urban core or a suburb like Golden.

Construction Observation: Bringing Your Addition to Life

As your owner’s representative, we observe construction to ensure flawless execution. We coordinate with contractors, address challenges, and minimize disruptions—crucial if you’re living in the home during the project. Our goal is a stress-free experience and a second story that exceeds your expectations.

We get it—adding a second story can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unclear about an architect’s role or the costs involved. Let’s clear up some common misconceptions:

Some assume architects only create plans, but at drinkwineDESIGNS, we’re your partners throughout, managing complexities and ensuring your vision becomes reality. Others worry a smaller firm like ours can’t handle complex projects, but our experience with diverse pop-tops and second story additions proves we deliver exceptional results with personalized attention.

By guiding you with clear communication and education, we ensure you feel confident and excited about your project.

Denver’s diverse neighborhoods, from Wash Park to Golden, are home to families and professionals who love their location but need more space. Our clients—whether proud Denver natives or newcomers drawn to Colorado’s energy—value pop-tops that enhance their homes and uplift their communities.

Our designs, rooted in mountain modern aesthetics with clean lines and natural materials, resonate with Denverites who want additions that feel contemporary yet timeless. We create spaces that blend seamlessly with your home’s character while increasing its value, whether in the bustling Denver Metro or charming suburbs like Lakewood. Our collaborative approach ensures your pop-top is uniquely yours, contributing to the area’s reputation for thoughtful architecture.

A pop-top or second story addition is more than added space—it’s a transformation of how you live. For families, it means extra bedrooms or a dedicated play area for kids. For professionals, it’s a quiet home office or guest suite for visitors. For entertainers, it’s a spacious loft for hosting friends. At drinkwineDESIGNS, our design philosophy is rooted in adaptability, tailoring each project to your taste and needs. We ensure your addition feels like a natural extension of your home, not an afterthought.

Our expertise in Denver’s unique challenges—like structural requirements for pop-tops or zoning in urban neighborhoods—sets us apart. We also prioritize sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient materials and designs that reduce your home’s environmental footprint while enhancing comfort. This commitment to quality makes your pop-top a lasting investment in your home and lifestyle.