Historic homes are the soul of Northern Colorado, and restoring them requires a delicate balance of reverence and innovation. At Forge & Bow, we believe these architectural treasures demand a level of intentionality that respects the past while integrating the comforts of modern living. From the original neighborhoods of Fort Collins to the historic corridors of the Front Range, we apply architectural expertise to preserve the legacy of your home for the next generation. Our integrated design-build approach ensures that every restoration is not only masterfully built, but also a deeply personal reflection of the home’s original character and your unique lifestyle. We collaborate closely with you to shape every detail with precision, ensuring the craftsmanship endures in both form and function.
Restoring a historic property is more than a renovation — it is an act of stewardship. Founded in 2016 on the pillars of artistry, quality, and timelessness, Forge & Bow specializes in identifying the unique architectural DNA of older homes and enhancing it through high-level design and rigorous construction management.
Whether modernizing a kitchen in a century-old Victorian or restoring the structural integrity of a Craftsman bungalow, we guide every decision with clarity and care. We approach each historic structure with an architect’s eye, ensuring that modern updates never compromise the building’s heritage. Our measure of success is invisibility – where new construction feels as though it has always been part of the home’s story.
Quality construction is the cornerstone of a lasting restoration. Our builders are experts in the specific challenges posed by older Northern Colorado homes.
PHASE 01
An owners criteria is a focused evaluation phase where we analyze your goals, needs, and priorities, along with feasibility factors, to understand what’s possible within your existing space, budget, and constraints. This process clarifies the problem, identifies limitations, and explores viable solutions. It includes meeting to define your needs, reviewing existing conditions, researching relevant building codes, and developing an early vision and corresponding budget to guide the project forward.
PHASE 02
Once we substantiate your property information and project feasibility, our creative process begins. Our designers develop initial space planning and massing, and progress them to almost-complete floor plans and elevations. Additionally, concepts for your home’s motif are explored during this phase. Our team of designers work with you to capture the vision you have for your home, while also exploring systems and the home’s utility. We complete this phase by creating our Schematic Estimate, ensuring that we stay on track financially.
PHASE 03
During this phase, our Design Team presents curated interior concepts and room themes that establish the overall look and feel of your home. Simultaneously, our Architectural Designers finalize the floor plans and elevations (if necessary)—refining layouts, confirming architectural details, and coordinating with any necessary third-party consultants, such as engineers, to ensure every element is thoughtfully planned and build-ready. Depending on the project, we may also be able to submit for building permits; However, this step requires the payment of your non-refundable construction deposit. Once we have a final understanding of your vision, as well as the requirements from third parties (like engineering), we finalize the creative design by making all interior selections and ensuring that all design elements are coordinated together. We conclude this phase by creating an updated Developed Estimate.
PHASE 04
During the bidding and estimating phase, we finalize your project scope outline, clearly defining the work to be performed. We then engage our trusted third-party trade partners in a competitive bidding process to ensure all pricing is accurate and fair. At the same time, we complete detailed material takeoffs based on the architectural and interior plans, with the goal of aligning them with the previously established allowances. Once all information is compiled, we present our comprehensive Builder Proposal at your Summit Meeting, outlining the total project cost. If needed, we conduct a Value Engineering review to ensure the project scope and selections align with your desired investment and overall value. After the final scope is approved, we execute a contract amendment incorporating the completed design and finalized budget.
PHASE 05
With all parties agreeing to the scope and budget, the plan set will be edited in order to accurately represent the scope, culminating in a complete set of Construction Documents.. If building permits haven’t been applied for yet, they will now (non-refundable construction deposit required). From there, the plans are handed off to our build team so they can familiarize themselves with the project and begin preparing the site.
PHASE 06
Time to build! During construction, our Project Managers provide full support, overseeing budget, schedule, and quality. Our Designers handle Construction Administration to ensure every detail we envisioned together comes to life. Once complete, we hand over your finished project-ready for years of enjoyment and memories.
Our historic services can be integrated with our full design and construction offerings. We begin by auditing your property to determine whether it is listed, or eligible to be listed, on national, state, or local historic registries. If your property qualifies, we will facilitate the eligibility submission directly with your municipality’s Historic Preservation Committee.
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
Historic preservation in architecture involves maintaining, restoring, and adapting existing structures while honoring their original design, materials, and craftsmanship. This process can include preservation, restoration, or renovation depending on the home’s condition and the owner’s goals.
The approach to treatment determines the balance between restoration and replacement. Our primary goal is to honor the home’s history while aligning it with your functional and lifestyle needs.
