Crafting modern homes in Golden, Colorado

Golden has a special charm, with its proximity to the mountains, Clear Creek, and its historic character. Building a home here requires an understanding of the town’s neighborhoods, their rhythm, scale, and connection to both nature and community. Golden and its surroundings hold a personal place in my heart, as I built my own home just outside town in the mountains. Knowing the neighborhoods and how homes relate to the landscape is key to creating a residence that feels naturally part of its surroundings.

Designing a custom home here means creating a residence that fits seamlessly into the life of the town while being tailored to your vision and lifestyle. Our collaborative design process focuses on connecting to nature and the surroundings, while enhancing daily life. By designing seamless indoor-outdoor spaces and incorporating floor-to-ceiling windows, we bring the outdoors in, making the landscape part of everyday living while complementing the scale, style, and character of the neighborhood.

Golden’s form-based code and design standards

Golden’s form-based code shifts the focus from traditional zoning to the shape, scale, and placement of buildings, helping new homes fit naturally within the existing neighborhood character. The code defines building forms, street relationships, and design standards such as setbacks, height limits, and façade treatments. Depending on the selected house form type, there are specific requirements for front porches, garage locations, and setbacks.

In addition, Golden’s Design Standards and Guidelines guide the overall appearance of a home. These standards address massing, articulation, and the use of exterior materials in ways that align well with modern design by encouraging simple, well-composed buildings and discouraging excessive complexity. They emphasize clearly defined porches and a strong transition between the sidewalk and the home’s entry to reinforce a neighborhood-oriented streetscape.

Rooted in Golden

Building a custom home in Golden is about more than creating a house. It’s about designing a home that feels rooted in its place, connected to the landscape, and responsive to the community. At cgmodern architecture, we create homes that reflect each owner’s lifestyle, capture views and light, and embrace nature. Our designs honor the town’s scale, character, and rhythm, resulting in spaces that are functional, thoughtful, and deeply connected to their surroundings.

Kind words from clients

“Cherie is talented, patient, and able to communicate her ideas clearly as well as understand ours. She is an excellent listener and was somehow able to translate our confusing and messy requirements into a spectacular home. She helped us determine what would work best on our parcel and then she helped all the way through the construction management. We wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to use her again, or recommend her to anyone considering a build or a remodel.”

- David, Boulder, CO | more kind words