Christopher Carvell, AIA, established his private practice in Denver in 1995 forming Christopher Carvell Architects, PC.  With 35 years of practice as a design principal with Fentress Architects, Page, and Carvell PC, Mr. Carvell and his senior associates have guided programming, master planning and the design of numerous critical efforts in the Urban mixed use residential realm.

Since Mr. Carvell’s first large scale housing project assignment in 1984, he has led the design of over 8,000 residential units in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West.  Expertise in residential projects includes: both on and off campus student housing, market rate rental  apartments, HUD financed non recourse for profit developments, luxury town homes, downtown mixed-use retail / office / residential loft renovations, town center master plans and “New Urbanist Mixed-Use” environments.

CCA professionals know the key to a successful residential projects lies in understanding the specific market where each development is to be located.  The context and culture of each city and the specific neighborhood zone district has a significant impact on the design of each project.  The firm carefully considers input from the local focus groups, Community Planning / zoning and building department input and approvals, meetings, and presentations to neighborhood groups. In the early design stages of a project it is crucial to obtain insight into lifestyles, customs, and emerging trends which strongly affect unit size, mix and amenities.  CCA’s goal when designing residential facilities is to create interior and exterior environments that future residents can identify as their home.

Research Based Approach

Our residential work emerges from a research-based approach rather than a single design signature.  By analyzing our clients’ goals and synthesizing programming, design, and technical coordination, we create spaces that are innovative, distinctive, and functional.  Clients expect their designers to reinvent residences for the 21st century by understanding the local demographic and target income levels of future tenants.

The first challenge is often to develop a program that translates the client’s vision and values into specific design criteria.  From this process, the design team establishes both quantitative performance benchmarks and an experiential narrative with qualitative inspirations for the project including; appropriate materials, environmental / high performance / low energy factors, and state of the art amenities.

The design that emerges from these criteria does not follow a pre-established aesthetic approach but is rather specifically targeted to the particular conditions and circumstances of each project.

Timeless Design / Enriching Communities

Christopher Carvell Architects, PC’s goal is to use progressive methods, technologies, materials, and ideas to create residential environments that include public spaces with a strong sense of sharing, social activities in public spaces strategically located, and private spaces where occupants feel at home.

From years of experience and project success we have observed seven timeless concepts in residential design:
Creating Community / 3^rd Place
Capturing Panoramic Views
Multi-Function / Layered Transparency
Refined Interior Environments
Understanding Cultural & Demographic Differences
3D Volume – Maximizing Daylight
Environmental Responsibility

For decades, CCA has created comfortable, welcoming design for residences and residential developments in the Rocky Mountain West. We create elegant and carefully detailed living spaces that both answer the client’s needs and continually redefine modern living.