wolff lyon architects, boulder, colo.
The Wellington Neighborhood stands out not only for its architecture and master plan but also for its reclamation of a truly hardscrabble site. Previously home to a dredge mining operation, the land was severely damaged and pocked by great boulders. "We had to bring in large machines to move that stuff around and level it out and then cap it with crushed rock," says Tom Lyon.
Phase I of a larger program, the 22-acre project consists of 122 units of single-family homes and duplexes. The Victorian-style structures are organized around "green courts," clusters of homes fronting small parks and green spaces. "This is a fairly hostile environment in the wintertime, and they do get a lot of snow and wind," says Lyon. "This design creates a protected spot, which becomes a meeting place and a place for the kids to play."
The judges lauded the project's plan as "simple and straightforward."
project architect: Tom Lyon and John Wolff, Wolff Lyon Architects
land planner: Tom Lyon and John Wolff, Wolff Lyon Architects
developer: David O'Neil, Poplarhouse, LLC, Boulder
general contractor: McCrerey Construction, Frisco, Colo.
landscape architect: Jeff Winston, Winston & Associates, Boulder
interior designer: Tom Lyon and John Wolff, Wolff Lyon Architects
project size: 1,000 to 1,800 square feet per unit
site size: 22 acres
construction cost: Withheld
sales price: $175,000 to $400,000 per unit
units in project: 122
photographer: David O'Neil
