Ryan Lloyd (founder of Echo Architecture) was client, designer, and contractor the extensive remodel of this 1952 mid-century modern house on a 2-acre site within walking distance of Old Colorado City and Garden of the Gods. When purchased the home was a 2-bedroom, 3,200 square foot mess with 7’ high ceilings throughout, and a kitchen with no natural light. Now the house is a light-filled, 4-bedroom + office, 2,900 square foot home.

A majority of the demo material was reused in the reconstruction. Federal and City rebate money was used to install a solar water heater on the roof that heats both the domestic water and the radiant baseboard heaters, significantly reducing fossil fuel usage. Transoms were added above all of the 2nd story windows allowing for passive solar heating in the winter (the original large overhangs shield the windows from excessive heat gain in the summer) and a 7’x9’ insulated glazed overhead door was added to allow for unimpeded access to the roof deck. The ceiling is insulated with spray foam insulation. Other than the occasional difficulties stemming from living in a construction site our family of four is loving living in this remodeled home.

This home was featured on KRCC’s show on local culture.  You can watch a video of the transformation here:  Part I, Part II

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, Completion fall 2010

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The restaurant has exceeded the Owner’s expectations, and the patrons rave about the architecture, many in disbelief that this could possibly be the same space as the restaurant that formerly occupied the building.

Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Completion summer 2011

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The firm that designed and documented this church addition (BVH Architects), hired Echo Architecture to oversee the permitting, bidding, and construction, for this large church addition.

For almost 2 years Echo worked closely with the local jurisdictions, the contractor, and the Owners Representative to ensure that the permitting, bidding and construction is performed per the construction documents.  Primary responsibilities have included reviewing submittals, issuing supplemental instructions to the contractor, and answering the contractors questions in a timely manner in order to keep the project as closely on schedule and budget as possible.  Late in the construction process Echo Architecture was asked to redesign the exterior skin of the building.  The originally proposed painted fiber-cement siding was replaced with stucco to match the existing building and a zinc cladding.

Location: Evergreen, Colorado, Completion early 2011

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Echo Architecture provided Bidding, Permitting, and Construction Administration services for the exterior rehabilitation of this historic, century old Carnegie library. Built in 1910, it was time for the Library to receive relatively minor exterior rehabilitation. The scope of work included cleaning and tuck-pointing the masonry, complete removal and re-installation of the clay tile roof and a new waterproofing system, and restoration of the doors and windows.

With help of the close relationship of the Contractor, Client, State Historic Fund Representative, and myself, the project was completed early for less than half of the original budget.

Stay tuned for upcoming interior rehabilitation, accessibility upgrades, and a potential addition.

Location: Manitou Springs, CO, Completed Summer 2010

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This project consists of a 2,500 square foot addition to an existing 1970’s rural elementary school. The existing preschool was housed in mobile units adjacent to the school and did not provide the preschool staff or students with the amenities they needed. The addition is a spacious daylit preschool with the most fun playstructure within hundreds of miles. The limited budget was provided both by the community and multiple grants. The number of entities involved and the tight funding forced the design to be very innovative.

The exterior form was dictated both by the program and the unusual design of the existing building. The interior is dictated by preschoolers and their needs. The kitchen and toilet facilities are all kid height to provide both accessibility and learning experiences everywhere they go. The ceilings are vaulted to allow ample natural light and passive heating and cooling allowing the teacher to control her environment with natural elements rather than artificial HVAC systems for the majority of the schoolyear. The tectonics of the playstructure are left exposed. This provides the students with lessons in Architecture, Construction, and Color Theory every day, along with a great place to play and read. The response from the staff, the kids, and the parents during this first year have all been extremely positive.

Location: Otis, Colorado, Completed summer 2009

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A repeat client asked Surround Architecture to design a tenant improvement for his Title Company on the first floor of the National Historic Registered Carousel Building in downtown Hood River, OR.

As Project Architect I took design cues from images of the 19th century bank that originally occupied the space and the client’s heritage in the logging industry. The result is an office space that speaks of the housing industry, the Columbia Gorge vernacular architecture, and just plain awesomeness.

An extremely simple palette of recycled 2×4’s, low VOC and high recycled content carpet tiles, energy efficient lighting, custom glazed sliding ‘barn’ doors, custom furniture, and vinegar stained plywood, were used to build out the T.I.

The project was awarded the IIDA Oregon Honor for Interior Commercial space in 2008.

Location: Hood River, Oregon, Completed Summer 2008 (while with Surround Architecture)

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Mosier Creek Homes consists of 34 residences in 8 structures on 2.4 acres of a 5 acre site in the rural town of Mosier (about an hour east of Portland) on the beautiful Columbia Gorge. The balance of the site contains a creek and grasslands. As Project Architect of the second phase of Mosier Creek Place, I was able to manage the process of the deign, documentation, and construction of the 12 single story flats on the Mosier Creek site.

Mosier Creek Homes is certified LEED-H Silver and Energy Star rated and approved. Each unit has roof-mounted photovoltaic electric and solar thermal roof panels on a net-metering arrangement with the local utility facility. It is anticipated that 50% of each unit’s energy needs will be supplied by this system. Half of the 5-acre site is devoted to maintaining and enhancing the existing creek and grasslands. The developed half is landscaped using xeriscaping principles based on the use of drought tolerant plants. Storm water run-off and rain from the site is channeled through marsh-grass covered hollows, or bio-swales, that filter and disperse water into Mosier Creek.

Location: Mosier, Oregon, Completed 2007 (while with Surround Architecture)

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As Project Architect I was responsible for the design, documentation, and construction administration of this 1880 firehouse remodel for a developer client. We cleaned it up (it had been abandoned for many years) and sliced it open as necessary to add egress, reinsert overhead doors, and reveal its 20” thick masonry walls.

A jewel of a bamboo stair was inserted in its center, providing access to the second floor and then turning the corner to become a coffee bar in the second floor lounge. The developer had planned on using this as his office, but the building was purchased at the Open House!

Location: Vancouver, Washington, Completed 2007 (while with Surround Architecture)

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This single family residence is located on a working farm west of Portland, OR near the coast range. The client originates from India and wanted a poured-in-place concrete home to comply with the vernacular construction technique of his former country.

As Project Architect I designed and detailed the concrete and steel residence with copious amounts of glazing that capitalize on the 360 degree views and cross ventilation (the home is not air conditioned).

The home consists of tuck-under parking, a swimming pool, rooftop deck, cantilevered fireplace, master bedroom suite and office, and a separate wing for the kids.

Location: Hillsboro, Oregon, Completed summer 2009 (while with Surround Architecture)

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A new affordable rental community for residents at least 62 years of age, located at the heart of New Columbia, an 80-acre, multi-sue HOPE VI redevelopment project in North Portland, Oregon. Preference was given to residents who had to be relocated from the previous development, called Columbia Villa, during the redevelopment process. The goal of the project was to create a socially and environmentally friendly community that promotes independent living for seniors as well as green living practices. The site’s open, level plot allows safe and easy access for pedestrians and vehicles and easy entry to a plaza used for gathering at McCoy Park across the street.

The site is strategically designed around a scenic heritage tree with a surrounding terrace and narrow bridge that make the tree visible from multiple points of view, giving residents a feeling of being in the park even inside the building. The building consists of approximately 56,400 square feet and includes 65 one-bedroom apartment and a two-bedroom apartment for the resident manager, as well as a community room , shared common areas on each floor, laundry rooms, and outdoor terraces.

As Project Architect while with MWA Architects I was responsible for design development through contract documents, guiding our architectural and consultant team throughout the process. We worked closely with the pre-selected contractor to complete the project on schedule and under budget. 1% of the construction budget was used to commission building specific art pieces from local minority artists, resulting in a crown of laser cut aluminum trees, and a scrim of glass leaves in the foyer.

The project has won multiple awards including Green Communities Certification for its proximity to public transit, indoor air quality, and reduced energy and water usage.

Location: Portland, Oregon, Completed Summer 2006 (while with Michael Willis Architects)

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