If you were a world-class kayaker, and among the greatest stretches of river in the country was going to be cut off from the public by a private developer, what could you do? Outdoorsy sister and brother Jed Selby and Katie Selby Urban sprang to action, scooping up the package and delving deep into sustainable design and New Urbanism. After finding like-minded men and women, master planners and getting developers themselves, they fought the myriad of zoning barriers that stop dense development, and also this new neighborhood, which joins the historic city of Buena Vista into the Arkansas River’s waterfront, is well on its way.
By the time the sister and brother had a master plan in hand, had cleared the zoning boards and broke floor, they’d fulfilled architect Kenny Craft, a like-minded New Urbanist using a passion for indigenous architecture and green construction. Craft is the design manager of South Main, their development, and he’s designed 12 of the buildings in the area.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
Two major components of New Urbanism comprise walkability and mixed-use apps, with homes and industrial buildings present side-by-side or one above of the other. The proprietors of the retail shop live in the two-bedroom flat upstairs, making their commute approximately ten feet.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
Craft’s approach into the design of the building included studying nearby precedents, including the indigenous Victorian style with an”old Wild-West feel” Craft starts with history and tradition, then reinterprets the facts; the intent isn’t to turn this into a nostalgic theme-parky town.
Some of the details include the balcony, parapet and the emphasis on verticality.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
Since this mining city boomed through the late 1800s, the overriding historic structure is Victorian. While foregoing the ornate gingerbread particulars of the Gilded Age, Craft has produced a South Main signature”stripped Victorian” style. “I like to utilize 2-over-2 windows to emphasize verticality,” he says. This move has come to be one of the local structure’s patterns.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
Craft utilizes paint for details in lieu of the typical gingerbread Victorian detailing observed in the precedents. “Painting the casings, jambs and panes different colours adds depth and vibrance,” Craft explains.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
This cottage embodies a lot of what the area is about. At just 1,152 square feet, the design is”super streamlined, simple, efficient and easy to assemble,” Craft says. “Generally speakingin conventional architecture most homes are just boxes with amazing proportions and details.”
The house is merely 18′ wide by 32′ deep, but has made the most of the space. “I avoid elements like extended hallways; it is better not to waste that space and use it in something like a bedroom rather,” says Craft.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
The homes were initially required to be Built Green Colorado Licensed; while that business no longer exists, South Main is still following the spirit of the first checklist while looking for an proper third party certifier. One of the green elements they use: spray-foam insulating material, metal roofs where suitable, energy-efficient windows, Energy Star appliances, low-VOC products, and floors of reclaimed or renewable materials such as pine and bamboo.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
While the overall style of lots of the buildings is stripped Victorian, certain details are becoming part of the area’s appearance. One of Craft’s signatures is exposed rafter tails, a component he borrows from Craftsman architecture. The steeply pitched metal roof is another locally rooted element that reacts to the climate, shedding snow effortlessly.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
Consideration of clients’ roots is an important design variable that can help keep variety in the structure. The clients who assembled this rowhouse were from California, so San Francisco’s Painted Ladies motivated the bay window on the front facade.
The corner chimney is an anchoring element that creates a big impact on the side and front facades. Finally this row will comprise five attached homes.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
Inside, the house comprises river stone, an abundant community substance. “Dig down a foot just about everywhere, and you’ll hit river stone,” Craft says. “It is a readily available, practically free substance that can help create a local style.”
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
The house includes a unique staircase has been dreamed up by designer Kennley Montrose and created by local metalcrafter Jim Butler. “Using the talents of local craftspeople and artisans affirms the community’s market and adds the unique local flavor and flair that makes the place cool,” says Craft. This type of custom work makes these recently built homes stick out.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
This larger home was adapted for a family from Tuscon, who favored Southwestern style. Since they were not crazy about the aesthetic of the metal roof, Craft decreased the pitch to make it less noticable. He incorporated the local substance of river stone, the historic local precedent of arches across the windows, and also the new local element of parapets.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
The family owns a tile company, so their vinyl layouts were integrated into the design, inside and out, putting a personal stamp on the house.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
More work by metalworker Jim Butler has contributed lots of the nice details to this home. On the outside, he repurposed an old ski lift cable from Breckenridge into a railing. “This is a perfect solution for the curved wall,” says Craft.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
A unique zinc runner using copper-nail detailing covers the staircase that lead from the home’s garage into an apartment overhead. The interior design of the house is by Kennley Montrose.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
In the excellent room, the floors comprise of 11 different reclaimed hardwoods. The beams and mantle were softened from an old Pabst brewery, and the fireplace is created from the local river stone. “As a guideline, old materials are raw and natural, while new materials are painted,” says Craft.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
In a project like South Main, density is key. Underneath 40 acres of the South Main project comprise 250 a lot, and 320 total dwelling units are planned. Underneath typical zoning constraints, this many units could have swallowed between 160 and 640 acres, not to mention additional miles of infrastructure like roads and plumbing.
This residence contains a 2-bedroom revenue flat on the first floor, plus a 3- bedroom unit over. Since the city’s population tends to double in the summertime, South Main incorporates vacation rentals.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
The porch’s details reveal that the impact of Craft’s Southern upbringing, architectural education and career. This design was motivated by the porches of Beaufort South Carolina. It’s a good illustration of the way Craft blends, mixes and creates transitions between styles and eras for unique outcomes.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
The area does not have a great deal of history of Craftsman style, because by the time that style of architecture gained fame, this mining city had gone bankrupt. Nonetheless, these clients were attracted to Craftsman style, therefore Craft abided by their wishes and added some South Main bits, making another good illustration of blended styles. The river rocks and steep metal roof are a few instances of the, although the wraparound porch contrasts between Craftsman and Victorian style.
Kenny Craft, CNU LEED AP
Rather than”many over one” paned windows typically found on Craftsman homes, Craft let the top half of the windows remain at many and kept the more Victorian appearance of two panes on the floor. He also included the rafter tail roof detail that’s used across the town.
After getting so involved with South Main, Craft and his family moved there four months ago. “What makes this project work so well is that everything is interconnected,” he Craft. “It’s not just some New Urbanist development out in the middle of nowhere”
The South Main area is a 5-10 minute walk from historic downtown Buena Vista. It’s its own city square and local companies, including the very popular Eddyline brewery and restaurant, which can be a big attraction. “Living out here is much more conducive to a healthier active lifestyle,” Craft says. “Since we moved out here, my wife and I can take the children to college on our bikes, and my family has been watching a lot less television.”
More:
Learn More About South Main’s Beginnings and Future
The Green Gambrel House
The Concord Green Healthy House
Book Tour: Salvage Secrets
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