Arvada is a community of beautiful contrasts. Our team is uniquely equipped to manage the exacting standards of a historic restoration near Old Town or the complex civil engineering of a hillside estate in Leyden Rock.
When working in West Arvada, we treat the sloping terrain as a collaborator. Our architect-led approach allows us to design into the natural elevation of the foothills, creating organic walk-out levels and tiered living spaces that feel like a natural extension of the hillside. We create homes that respect Arvada’s rich history while introducing the high performance building science required for modern life. Every structural detail is shaped with the intention to reflect your lifestyle and the rugged beauty of the western edge.
We provide a unified process where architectural creation and construction management exist under one roof. For our Arvada clients, this means a single point of responsibility from the first sketch to the final walkthrough. This integrated model ensures that the creative vision is never lost during the complexities of the build phase.
We build generational estates that are meant to be lived in and passed down. Our custom homes in the Arvada foothills are designed to withstand the elements while providing a quiet, refined interior experience. We manage every variable of the construction process to ensure your home is masterfully built and enduring in character.
We specialize in historic home renovation in Arvada, preserving the architectural integrity and character that define the city’s most iconic properties. Our approach blends timeless design with modern functionality, ensuring your home meets today’s standards while honoring its original craftsmanship.
Our team follows the
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, delivering thoughtful updates that respect historic details while enhancing livability. From careful restoration to seamless additions, we provide expert guidance and precision construction tailored to Arvada’s unique historic homes.
The kitchen is the functional heart of the home and deserves a layout that promotes both movement and connection. We move beyond simple surface updates to reimagine the entire volume of the space. Whether we are designing for a modern farmhouse in West Woods or a historic bungalow, we ensure the kitchen is a masterpiece of purposeful design.
Our approach to bathroom design focuses on creating a sense of quietude and restoration. We select materials and lighting that elevate the space from a utility to a sanctuary. By managing every technical detail from custom plumbing to high end finishes, we deliver a private retreat tailored to your daily rhythms.
We believe the process of transforming or creating a home should be as meaningful as the result. Whether you are planning a whole-home renovation or a ground-up build, our holistic approach ensures a seamless transition from design to construction.
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.
Local Arvada home remodels and custom homes featured in the press.
Arvada is defined by its transition from historic plains to the rising foothills. Forge & Bow specializes in site-specific architectural storytelling for this diverse landscape, from the careful modernization of Old Town treasures to the engineering of high performance custom builds on the hillsides of the Eagle’s Nest area.
