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In the world of modern architecture and design, creating a space that is more than just a showcase of the most recent trends in color, building material and lighting fixtures can prove to be an enormous challenge. Here in Tucson, architect John Richards has taken on - and succeeded in creating such a place in the Blue Indigo Townhomes. He and a visionary group of real estate and design professionals have partnered on this exciting and "edgy" project, soon to be built on the east side of town.
"Architecture should be the backdrop to what really works in the broader sense," Richards observes, "which doesn't always happen when too much emphasis is placed on designing something trendy or 'cool.'" That is the concept that is sometimes marketed to buyers, he continues, and that is sometime the cost of developing anything of "real" substance." Richards' practical philosophy is not surprising when one considers that his résumé includes years of hands-on construction and building experience that dates back to framing houses at his first job out of high school. "I even worked as a brick mason in Europe when the old van I was traveling in broke down and I needed money to return home," he laughs.
"I've had the fortunate experience of working in the trenches in all aspects of residential and commercial design, fabrication, manufacturing and construction," he says. "I've spent untold hours with a hammer in hand, and I think being that close to the process gives me a sense of how a building is going to satisfy the user. In all my work - Blue Indigo included - I am trying to server the client and not the desire to call attention of the work itself."
The first clue as to the quality and innovation that has gone into the Blue Indigo project is the impressive team that has been assembled to bring it to fruition. Richards has "spared no expense" choosing the "best in the field," not only on bona fide credentials, but also on a collective track record of delivering above and beyond what the client expects. "My partner Jerry Sonenblick, a former real estate and corporate attorney, and I have been designing innovative housing solutions for more than 25 years. We always strived to do inspired work then and continue to do that now. We promised ourselves that we would never sacrifice planning and building excellence for an easy build or a greater profit margin. I think you'll be able to see that at Blue Indigo."
Richards says that everyone involved in the project has made it their mission to keep the focus on "good design" and to include the buyer's need and lifestyle in all decisions, while never sacrificing aesthetics. "It's really a special team from award-winning, classically trained Bauhaus interior designer Renate Stepina, to the highly regarded real estate team of Mary Lou Thompson and Bruce Feldman, to nationally certified lighting professional Joyce Kelly."
Civil engineers Bill Fetzer and Brian Schuyler will be the project management team for Blue Indigo Townhomes. "They have many ears of experience in residential construction," Richards says. "They're a perfect fit as team members because their guiding principles are integrity, commitment and enthusiasm."
Rounding out the team are Garrett Townsend of Affiliated Financial Group, Inc. and Pam Tighe of Lawyers Title. Townsend is a "nationally recognized mortgage advisor" with offices in Tucson and Denver; and established relationships with most major banks and mortgage companies, according to Richards. Tighe will represent long-time Tucson company Lawyers Title, and be "the point person in the home closings for the project."
The development team certainly seems to have transcended the dichotomy of excellence in architecture and cost concerns. For instance, Richards points out, the shared wall between these 20, one-, two- and three-story townhomes will be masonry construction; with no penetrations such as steel, plumbing or holes. Thus, lack of privacy is not the issue it might be in similar projects. Dark corners will not have the "hot spots," which result from more standard placement of lighting sources says Richards, "because Joyce Kelly has carefully considered surface reflection and subtly integrated fixtures to create an exquisitely functional ambiance."
The congruency of style and substance in Blue Indigo will come through in Stepina's suggestions to pay close attention to scale, proportion and balance. "We achieve this by using elegant, modern colors like bittersweet chocolate brown, rich sultan red and deep indigo night," Stepina explains. "These will work together to complement the wood, granite, concrete and tile finishes, as well as the design elements, such as stainless steel beverage-chilling troughs in the kitchen, and rooms with optional, built-in floor-to-ceiling-length library shelving."
"Space is so crucial in today's world, particularly in a place like Tucson where there is less and less of it remaining," Stepina continues. "So we have to break the standard way of operating by collaborating on projects like this to maintain dignity in our environment. This is nowhere more evident than in the home where we as designers, have a responsibility to help our clients make the best use of space with elements that will endure throughout any era. You can never tire of the mixture of aesthetic appeal and great quality."
Blue Indigo's real estate team, Mary Lou Thompson and Bruce Feldman, agree. "Bruce and I have represented entire subdivisions and builders' properties with homes ranging from $100,000 to almost $3 million," Thompson says. "When we say the plans for this project, we knew we were looking at homes that will genuinely reflect those who live here. By taking the care to walk each client through the extensive custom material selections and floor plan diversity, we foresee each home becoming a unique and lively reflection of the homeowner. We believe that buyers have seldom been able to express themselves in this way, and we're privileged to be part of it."
And as for this team and project, closing the design gap between style and substance doesn't end there. Equally important was the choice of site in which to build the Blue Indigo project that would bring a more diverse economic, social and cultural base to the surrounding neighborhood. "Blue Indigo takes home ownership to a deeper level. Buyers have seldom been abel to express themselves in this way, which is really come about because our team is well-practiced at doing it ourselves," Richards says.
The location also offers buyers at Blue Indigo another option: edgy, gated urban living outside what might be the traditional areas to find this lifestyle. "There are some really exciting and unique developments in the downtown area. We believe that we're offering a housing option beyond single-family living in another part of town. The estimated price range at Blue Indigo Townhomes will be $350,000 - $450,000.
For sales information, call Mary Lou Thompson at (520) - 577-0222, or email marylout@earthlink.net.