Jordan explaining the rules of the Gingerbread Showdown to a group of kdis wearing hard hats

10

Feb

Notes from the Studio | February 2024

We hope you had a great holiday season and that all is well with the start of 2024! We wanted to send a quick summary on our Q1 happenings as we start the new year. Last year was a busy one for our team, and this year is forecasted to be similar. We thought it would be nice to catch you up with a few of our favorite moments from 2023, and update you on some of our upcoming projects.

LIVE //

Salida Private Residence

One of our most recent custom home projects is set in Salida. Members of the team have been working closely with the clients to create a functional modern design that blends seamlessly with its surroundings. The goal is to balance a modern, minimalist design aesthetic with the warmth that natural elements bring into a home. Through the utilization of expansive windows and warm, but neutral wood tones, we have been able to achieve an elevated yet rustic design. This collaboration between the client and Collab is proving to be more and more exciting, and we can’t wait to see this home take shape as construction kicks off this year.

exterior rendering of a custom home designed in Salida, Colorado

LEARN //

Front Range Community College - Grab & go

It’s been a while since we’ve updated you on our FRCC Grab and Go Renovation project, and we’re excited to say it’s complete and open for business! This was a collaboration with DS Constructors at the Front Range Community College Westminster Campus. The renovation to convert the full-service kitchen to a more convenient grab and go concept was a result of needing to provide a more modern concept, alleviate underutilized space, and provide students and faculty a safer way to grab food between classes. This serves as an anchor at the campus’s main entrance and has already proven to be a busy pit stop.
Entrance to the Wolf Cafe at Front Range Community College Westminster Campus
Front Range Community College Grab and Go interior photography

WORK //

Precision Family Eyecare

For this project, Collab partnered with Design Studio Blue to complete a 3,175 SF remodel of the Precision Family Eyecare facility. The remodel consisted of updating exterior wall finishes and windows as well as adding a feature wall with the owner’s logo. Design Studio Blue focused on many of the interior elements. This building sits in downtown Historic Johnstown and the exterior was designed to provide an inviting storefront that meshes with the existing feel of the area.
Exterior view of Precision Family Eyecare in Johnstown, Colorado, at sunset, showing white siding, wood accents, and prominent signage.
Interior view of Precision Family Eyecare featuring a modern reception desk, stylish lighting, wood beams, and eyewear displays in a bright, welcoming environment.

EXPERIENCE //

Silverthorne Recreation Center Expansion - Concept Plan

We are excited to announce that we are working with the Town of Silverthorne on a Recreation Center Expansion Concept Design. After walking the site, it is clear that the Silvethorne Rec Center is truly a hub for community members of all ages. With recent area growth, there is a need, and an opportunity, to expand the services offered at this community nexus. To best develop and achieve this vision, we have teamed up with StudioCKA and are working closely with a passionate group of stakeholders at the Town of Silverthorne, all dedicated to their community and this project’s success. Though early in this project’s process, we are thrilled to be working with such a great team of consultants and stakeholders, and are genuinely excited for the evolution and fruition of this project!

PLAY //

BOWLING FOR SOUP - save the date!

Get ready for another round of competitive bowling among AEC industry teams as CTL Thompson attempts to defend their heavyweight title and hang on to the Bowling for Soup Championship Belt! This event, held in April, is part of the Food Bank for Larimer County’s Corporate Food Fight where businesses come together to compete in (mostly) friendly competitions and raise funds to benefit the Food Bank for Larimer County! Be on the lookout for our emails announcing team sign ups. Until then, mark your calendars for Wednesday April 24th, 2024 (4 pm to 7 pm). We are excited to grow this event, double the impact, and double the fun!

TEAM SPOTLIGHT //

Architectural Designer - Andrea eichacker

This quarter, we are featuring a team member that has been with us from the beginning. Meet Andrea Eichacker, an Architectural Designer who is our go-to for many of our residential projects. Andrea started her design and architecture journey in 2015 after graduating from CSU with her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design & Architecture.

Fun Fact: Andrea is an avid gamer. She and her husband own 149 games and are continuously growing their collection. So if you find yourself on the other side of the board, be sure you Catan keep up!

COLLAB IN THE COMMUNITY //

LATEST EVENTS, HAPPENINGS, & OUTINGS

Between projects, special events, fundraisers, and team outings, 2023 was hopping! Below are some of our favorite highlights from last year:

Collab Architecture team quarterly outing at the escape room

Q1 TEAM OUTING

We escaped! (with a minute to spare) Nothing like an afternoon of margaritas and unlocking the secrets of the Pharaohs to close out Q1. It’s always fun testing our problem solving skills outside of the office and in new situations.

Collab team group photo in front of the refrigerated goods at the Food Bank for Larimer County

FOOD BANK VOLUNTEER DAY

Our team had the opportunity to step away from projects and spend an afternoon with the Food Bank for Larimer County. We’re always looking for little ways we can make a difference in the community and this was a welcome break from the office!

Collab team at the Rockies Baseball game in Denver, Colorado

Q2 TEAM OUTING

In July our whole team got to go cheer on the Rockies at Coors Field and we had a blast! Unfortunately, our presence did not secure a win for the team, but it was still a great way to spend some time together outside of the office. After the game, we all got out to an early dinner together at The Pig and The Sprout. Overall, a successful and delicious day spent together!

Collab Architecture team group photo at Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Day

Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Day

In August our firm got to participate in a build day with Larimer County’s Habitat for Humanity. We worked on a few homes in the Mosaic Neighborhood that were built by Poudre High School’s Geometry in Construction program which brings 80-100 students together each year to build a Habitat home. It was so cool to see what these kids have accomplished, and we felt honored to be putting some finishing touches on their hard work! You could say we are experts when it comes to caulking.

Collab team wearing tutus at a golf tournament in Windsor, Colorado

Dohn Golf Tournament

In September, Joe and Jordan had the chance to participate in Dohn’s Golf Tournament benefiting ChildSafe Colorado. It’s not everyday you get to play a hole of golf in a tutu, so we’ve got to hand it to Dohn for their creativity and commitment in supporting this cause!

Group photo of the Collab Architecture team sitting together in a casual office lounge area, with a neon sign in the background reading “Stop, Collaborate, & Listen.”

Collab Grand Opening

A huge thank you to everyone that came out to the Grand Opening of our new office in September! It was so nice to see so many familiar faces, to receive such support, and to share in the 12.5 feet of charcuterie!

Principal architect with team mates at CREW Bocce Ball Tournament in Windsor, Colorado

Crew Bocce Ball

Collab’s Jordan Lockner joined up with A&J Commercial Interiors and Workplace Partners to compete in CREW NoCo’s 5th Annual Bocce Ball Tournament. After taking 2nd place in last year’s tournament, we were eager for the chance at a rematch, and after much toiling in the practice fields…Jordan’s team placed 2nd again!

Marketing director with House of Neighborly Services director under balloon arch for Rope for Hope in Loveland, Coloardo

Rope for Hope

Collab and Integrated Mechanical joined up for the Rope for Hope event, benefitting the House of Neighborly Service. The event challenges participants to step Over the Edge of a 4-story parking garage and rappel down to help raise money and awareness for this program which helps families throughout Loveland and Berthoud experiencing situational crises.

Collage of photos from gingerbread building competition in Fort Collins, Colorado

Gingerbread Showdown 2023 - Food Drive and Fundraiser

On December 8th we hosted our 2nd annual Gingerbread Showdown and Food Drive benefitting the Food Bank for Larimer County at FRCC’s Larimer Campus Student Center. It was amazing to see so many excited kiddos really dedicated to their teams, and the process of designing, planning, and building. In the end, donations from the kids and volunteers weighed in at 500 pounds of food and essential items, and due to our generous sponsors, were able to donate $4,000 to the Food Bank! It was pure sugar coated chaos, and we can’t wait to see how it grows next year!

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