Razee House

A city home in a mountain-like setting may seem an impossibility, but the Razee home, not far from the heart of Denver, has achieved that effect. The house is a dramatic structure, five cubes juxtaposed on a gentle hillside. The strong texture of the exterior is cast-in-place fractured concrete, which provides a ribbed effect like concrete corduroy. The ribbed concrete serves like draperies, wrapping around the openings of windows and doorways. The richness of the oak floors and redwood ceilings on the first floor are a lush contrast to the concrete and plain white walls. The orange kitchen embodies the "Pop" 60's design trend. The dining room is located near the rear of the house where a view from the cathederal style windows overlooks the deck/patio. The study and upstairs bedroom are on an L-shaped balcony

The study and upstairs bedroom are on an L-shaped balcony overlooking the two-story living room. The porch off the study and downstairs dining deck are rimmed by large evergreen trees from the old Shangri-La estate on which the Razee home is built.

notes by C.A.H.

A house for a busy older middle aged couple on a small lot in a highly urbanized area. Interconnecting, flowing character of the space of two floors with specified function areas proved to be practical for this couple. They enjoy the openness and space it provides. Concrete gives the desired solidity to the building which is softened by the delicate fractured surface. The house is placed in relationship to a specimen foxtail pine next to the entrance porch. The elevation of the upper balconies give views over the city toward the mountains in the distance, a rare experience this deep within the city.

Small models were built of the Razee house.

© 1995 Atomix Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This page was last revised on June 6, 1995.