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Individual Design by AwA
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helter, for humans, is more than a space for warmth and safety from inclement weather. Shelter has become a way of defining values and personal tastes. Architect Katie Kieffer uses sustainability as a guiding principle for her work. Katie has a Bachelor of Architecture from North Dakota State University, worked for 10 years in corporate architecture in Minneapolis and Boston, and has 29 years in private practice in Colorado. Her natural curiosity and love of new things help her clients, all of who are interested in environmentally sustainable design, achieve their goals.
KATIE SITS DOWN WITH AwA TO TALK ABOUT HER APPROACH TO ARCHITECTURE AwA: When you approach a new project or property, what are the first things you do? KK: I determine my client’s needs list and wants list, spend several days walking the property (if it’s rural) to understand the microclimate of the landscape. Where does the sun rise? Are they morning people? Is there wildlife migrating through the property? Does the wind pick up in the afternoon? Is there noise from somewhere? Where are the views? Powerlines to block? I start to develop small sketches as I’m on site, and they become a roadmap as the design is fine-tuned. I sit, and watch the sky move, stars come out, smell the earth, look at the native plants and trees growing there. The first impressions usually stay with me throughout the design process. AwA: How do your values guide your design? KK: I source as many building materials as close to home as possible; transportation factors into the energy expended to build. My advice is to build what you need; minimize wasted space. Spend lots of time on the front end of design to fine-tune the footprint of your project. And use commonsense, readily available products 68
Winter 2022
that help to increase energy efficiency. There’s a simple truth about every piece of land, and as architects, we have a responsibility to find the sweet spot and try to maximize every opportunity to conserve, yet still celebrate the notion of home, family, friends, and connect with nature wherever possible. AwA: What do you recommend to people building new homes as far as environmentally friendly design? KK: The building code in Routt County is very prescriptive as to wall and roof insulation. There has been tremendous growth in the Passive Haus movement. The Green Building Council of America is a tremendous resource for products and building materials. The Bud Werner Library has shelves and shelves of great books on sustainable design, and Colorado Mountain College offers courses in sustainability. Of course, you can take your favorite architect out for coffee and see what she knows! AwA: What else should we know? KK: I believe that as a community, both locally and globally, we are at a crossroads in terms of taking care of our planet. There are thousands of choices to be made in the construction of a new home, or remodeling an existing one, and we need to choose wisely. Save water, keep construction sites clean, look for innovative new products that are made from recycled materials, never be afraid to ask questions, have reasonable expectations of what is achievable in the built environment. The construction industry has significantly changed due to Covid-19. We are still suffering from labor shortages and supply chain issues. Home, and the meaning of home, has taken on new importance. Patience is key. No thoughtful project was built in haste. ELEVATE THE ARTS: Research sustainable building practices. Visit http://westelev.com or take Katie to coffee. Use local architects, builders and materials. Consider the needs of the land when building. AwA Art with Altitude