When the Denver back to school season rolls around, mornings can feel like a whirlwind—backpacks on the floor, shoes disappearing, coats piling up near the door. For busy and growing families, even the best routines can unravel fast.
As a Denver ADU builder, Sustainable Design Build (SDB) is here to help you navigate the process of building an ADU,from zoning to finishes, and show you how your project can be both functional and luxurious.
At Sustainable Design Build, we’re proud to celebrate nine years of serving the Denver community with high-quality home building and remodeling services. Over nearly a decade, we’ve grown from a small, passionate team into a trusted name in the Denver metro area—known for our expertise, transparency, and commitment to turning dream homes into reality.
Why Building a Home Addition Might Be Smarter Than Buying in Today’s Market. With limited choices staying in your home today might be best.
At first glance, a stunning kitchen remodel or luxurious bathroom upgrade might seem like it’s all about aesthetics—elegant finishes, perfectly matched colors, and sleek, functional layouts. But at Sustainable Design Build (SDB), we know that true luxury lives at the intersection of design and engineering.
Big changes are coming to central Denver—and they might just be the spark that ignites a new wave of home improvement and custom home building across neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Baker, and Sun Valley.
When Tony and Robin Kohake purchased the corner-lot property at 800 S. Franklin St. in Denver, they had a clear vision: tear down the aging 1890 structure and build a Tudor-style home where they could raise their four kids with a spacious backyard in Washington Park. But like many homeowners hoping to build a custom home, ADU, or major addition in Denver, they quickly discovered that a clear vision doesn’t always mean a clear path.
Big changes are coming to Denver’s historic Park Hill Park and neighborhood—and they’re not just happening on city land. The long-disputed 155-acre Park Hill Golf Course site is being reimagined as a vibrant community park, thanks to a citywide visioning effort by Denver Parks and Recreation. With three inspiring concepts on the table—“Nature Runs Through,” “Colorado’s Front Door,” and “Cultural Core”—the project has the whole city dreaming.
A modest-looking bungalow at 510 S. Garfield Street in Denver’s Belcaro neighborhood is under consideration for landmark designation, potentially shielding it from demolition. While its exterior appears ordinary, the interior showcases a rare and remarkably preserved example of Usonian architecture—a midcentury style pioneered by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1930s to bring modern design to middle-class homes.
When most homeowners consider a home addition, they’re typically looking to solve a problem: a growing family, a need for a home office, or simply the desire for more functional square footage. But what if the solution went far beyond the problem? What if a home addition could not only add space—but also elevate your home to feel entirely custom, luxurious, and transformed?
At Sustainable Design Build, we’ve seen this vision come to life time and again. One recent example? A beautifully executed pop top home addition project in Denver’s iconic Berkeley Neighborhood that now rivals the aesthetic and craftsmanship of any newly built custom home.
When it comes to elevating a high-end renovation or custom home, few design elements are as transformative—or as foundational—as cabinetry. At Sustainable Design Build (SDB), we view cabinetry not just as storage, but as a defining architectural feature that anchors the functionality, aesthetics, and flow of a space. Here’s why we consistently choose custom cabinetry for our most refined and personalized projects.
As the long days of summer begin to shorten and the back-to-school season peeks around the corner, many homeowners find themselves in a moment of transition—mentally, emotionally, and practically. You’ve had time to relax, travel, and maybe even host family and friends. But now, with routines about to return and schedules about to tighten, you might be asking yourself: Is this the right time to take on a home remodel or addition?
The story unfolding at 400 S. Williams Street in Denver’s historic Washington Park neighborhood is more than just a preservation effort — it’s a reflection of a broader conversation happening across the city. Residents are becoming increasingly invested in the future of their neighborhoods, the architectural character of their streets, and the legacy they leave behind.
In today’s real estate landscape, many Denver homeowners are asking the question: Is renovating your home truly a smart investment? The data and trends suggest a clear answer—yes. Not only are renovations enhancing lifestyle and functionality, but they are also delivering strong returns by adapting homes to modern needs without the costs and upheaval of relocation.
A report found by Instant Roofer reveals that Denver homeowners are the biggest spenders in renovation projects in the US. Residents and homeowners have been notably investing more than the national average,especially in room conversions or home additions. Sustainable Design Build has noticed this shift in homeowners sentiment in the recent year or so. Families and households are looking for more space and upgrading their home since moving and homebuying is not as attractive as it used to be in the past. Many homeowners find it more accessible to build up on their home or build out – by tapping into their home’s equity and more, families are still able to achieve luxury custom homes without uprooting and losing out on many qualities they love about their existing home.
If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, home addition, or even building a custom home, cabinetry is one of the most critical—and exciting—elements to design. At Sustainable Design Build (SDB), we know that the right cabinet dimensions do more than improve aesthetics. They enhance function, optimize storage, and transform how you experience your home every day.
When people think of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), affordable housing or modest guest quarters often come to mind. But at Sustainable Design Build (SDB), we’re redefining what an ADU can be.
In May 2024, a quiet email introduction between Jessica Brody, General Counsel of Denver Water, and Tim Aragon, top legal counsel for the Denver Broncos, set the stage for a year-long series of strategic discussions that may reshape the heart of Denver. Over the past thirteen months, top executives from Colorado’s oldest water utility and the Denver Broncos organization have been in steady contact, joined at times by key city leaders including Mayor Mike Johnston’s chief of staff and Denver’s chief projects officer.
In a string of secretive real estate transactions around Denver’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, buyers have been scooping up industrial properties near the Burnham Yard railyard. Sellers like Shannon McCabe and Tim Armitage have reported being kept in the dark about the identities of the purchasers, with legal intermediaries handling the deals and non-disclosure agreements in place. These transactions, which include at least 13 properties totaling over $150 million, have raised speculation due to their volume, secrecy, and rapid pace.
In a string of secretive real estate transactions around Denver’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, buyers have been scooping up industrial properties near the Burnham Yard railyard. Sellers like Shannon McCabe and Tim Armitage have reported being kept in the dark about the identities of the purchasers, with legal intermediaries handling the deals and non-disclosure agreements in place. These transactions, which include at least 13 properties totaling over $150 million, have raised speculation due to their volume, secrecy, and rapid pace.
As the City and County of Denver prepares to introduce new policy changes within its Permitting Office, leadership is undergoing a significant transition. Brad Buchanan, former head of Denver’s Community Planning and Development under Mayor Michael Hancock, has been appointed as the interim planning director by Mayor Mike Johnston. Buchanan currently serves as the CEO of the National Western Center Authority and will continue in that role while guiding the city’s planning department. His return follows the resignation of planning director Manish Kumar, who stepped down after just 13 months, stating he had completed his intended goals for the department.
In an exciting move that signals major change for construction in the city, Denver has launched a new Permitting Office aimed at cutting through red tape and dramatically improving the experience of those seeking to build or renovate within city limits. Introduced by Mayor Mike Johnston and launched in May, the Denver Permitting Office (DPO) now enforces a 180-day approval timeline for permits—backed by a refund pledge of up to $10,000 if the city fails to meet its deadlines. While much of the initial coverage highlighted the benefits for large-scale commercial development, the real game-changer lies in how these reforms also open new doors for residential homeowners.
The Denver City Council has officially approved the rezoning of the historic Park Hill Golf Course, closing a prolonged chapter in one of Denver’s most complex development sagas. This rezoning transforms the 155-acre site from private open space—its designation when operating as a private golf course—into public open space. This change enables the land to serve a broader purpose: becoming Denver’s fourth-largest park, accessible to all city residents.
Custom cabinetry is a foundational element in luxury home design, offering the highest level of personalization, craftsmanship, and function. Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen, bath, or creating built-ins for living spaces, understanding the basics of custom cabinetry will help you make confident, informed choices.
Brad Buchanan, a seasoned leader in Denver’s urban development landscape, has once again stepped into the role of interim director for Denver’s Community Planning and Development (CPD) department. This development comes right after the somewhat sudden departure of Denver’s previous director, Manish Kumar, who held the role for just over a year.
The City of Littleton is taking a transformative step in addressing Colorado’s housing needs by moving forward with an ordinance to permit Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) across all residential zones. Spurred by the recent passage of Colorado House Bill 24-1152, which mandates statewide ADU allowances, this change aligns with the city’s long-term goals outlined in the Envision Littleton Comprehensive Plan. Littleton ADUs—also known as “granny flats” or “in-law suites”—offer a self-contained living space on the same lot as a primary residence, and are increasingly seen as vital tools to accommodate intergenerational families, support aging in place, and create affordable housing options.
A new Whole Foods Market is coming to Denver’s Central Park neighborhood — a 40,000-square-foot grocery store planned for the corner of Central Park Boulevard and 40th Avenue. This development marks a significant milestone for northeast Denver, especially as it brings a nationally recognized grocer into an area already experiencing strong residential and commercial momentum.
A new Whole Foods Market is coming to Denver’s Central Park neighborhood — a 40,000-square-foot grocery store planned for the corner of Central Park Boulevard and 40th Avenue. This development marks a significant milestone for northeast Denver, especially as it brings a nationally recognized grocer into an area already experiencing strong residential and commercial momentum.
Recent data confirms it. According to a 2024 Colorado Polling Institute survey, about 50% of Denver residents own at least one dog, and 68% report having some kind of pet. Compare that with just 20% of residents raising children under eighteen, and it’s clear who’s really running the city. With an estimated 160,000 dogs in the city—more than Denver’s under-18 human population—it’s no surprise that the Mile High City regularly ranks near the top of “most dog-friendly” lists.
In today’s fast-paced world of home remodeling, many homeowners looking for clean, modern cabinetry turn to mass-market options like IKEA. The appeal is obvious: sleek designs, accessible pricing, and fast availability. But when it comes to lasting value, tailored fit, and luxury design, stock cabinetry can quickly fall short.
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