Solutions: A Dramatic Transformation Allows for Lofty Living in a Basement

When a young professional bought the last loft-style apartment in a 1912 downtown Denver building, he turned to architect Doug Walter. The transformation needed to  bedramatic. It was a basement apartment. “The raw apartment was spectacular,” Walter says. “It was a big, open space with concrete floors and large columns. We knew right away that we’d want to keep it open.”

The key issues of light and privacy were apparent. The 3,700-square-foot basement had windows on two sides that began about five feet up the wall. “Letting in as much light as those windows could was critical,” Walter says, “but preserving privacy was also an issue. The idea of using shoji-type screening seemed natural.” Another design element allowing for natural light throughout was to have most walls not extend to the ceiling.

From a space planning perspective, the rooms were logically positioned. The master bedroom was placed in the most private corner of the apartment, away from the windows. The same logic put the large kitchen, designed as the social hub of the apartment, in the corner with the best natural light. A curved wall that conceals storage was designed to draw people from the entryway into the apartment, creating a sense of movement through the space.