photography by Susie Brenner
the voice of Grant Wells of Wells Construction
As Colorado welcomes what is sure to be another competitive season of buying and selling real estate, custom home builders are crafting high-end residences that aim to capture the attention of luxury buyers dreaming of the coveted Denver and Boulder lifestyles. This consumer demand is partially responsible for introducing a new era of architecture in Colorado, one in which clean, linear forms dominate. The departure from classic to contemporary can, at times, feel stark. Thankfully, builders like Grant Wells of Wells Construction understand that while modern trends may define the materials, building methods and overall theme of the home, it is the client — the human — that defines the livability and experience. We sat down with Grant to discuss how he brings the artistry of living into his work.
- How did you find your calling in building luxury homes? What drew you to it?
- I’ve always been interested in architecture, which led me to an education in the subject at the University of Colorado Boulder. From there, I got into home building, eventually managing the construction of over 100 homes. I enjoyed the building process, but still had the itch for design, so in 2020 I started Wells Construction. Starting my own business allowed me to manage the whole design/build process, which is something I’m passionate about.
- How does artistry integrate into what you do on a daily basis?
- Architecture is art, which plays a large role early in the process when we work with architects and designers to produce drawings. But art is also present throughout the construction process as we see the building come to life. There are so many decisions to be made throughout the process, and we must be thoughtful about each one to deliver a cohesive product.
- What project are you most proud of and why?
- I’m proud of all our projects, but if I had to choose one it would be a duplex that we built in Cherry Creek last year. Duplexes can be a challenge to design with adequate space without sacrificing good design, but our architect exceeded that challenge here.
There are a lot of amazing features in this duplex — one of my favorites being the elevator that takes you from the wine room in the basement to the 3rd floor that opens to a multi-tiered roof deck with a bar top, firepit and mountain views… it’s pretty amazing. Another detail I love about this duplex is that the interior design of each side is completely different, so each unit is still unique despite being a duplex.
- How would you describe your signature building design style?
- I don’t think we have a distinct style, nor do we want all our homes to look the same. The interior designers we work with are very talented and capable of different styles. However, I would say most of our homes are open with lots of natural light and warmth. They have modern elements but are not overly modern which keeps them feeling homey.
- When designing a home, what is the most important factor to consider and why?
- Function. We love design, but ultimately that means nothing in a home if it doesn’t function. We may be designing luxury homes, but most of them are full time residences so we must consider how the end user is going to operate in each space, today and for years to come.
- How do you work with clients to ensure that your designs fit their lifestyle? Or, what is your process to ensure that your designs are in-demand, yet offer a signature uniqueness?
- Since we build mostly speculative homes, we don’t always know who our client will be, so we can’t design with a specific lifestyle in mind. However, we do have a good gauge of what Denverites are looking for and try to give that to them with our own twist. I think the biggest way to ensure our designs stay in demand is by working with talented architects and designers. It really does make a difference. We collaborate with them to be unique, yet timeless in their designs, and are stringent to make sure those designs are executed in the field.
- To what or to whom do you attribute your success?
- Building methods are constantly evolving, so having an open mind and a positive attitude to be able to adapt to it are key. Personally, I’ve been fortunate to have had some amazing mentors and work experiences, which I value very much. Experience is everything to me.
As a company, I believe our success comes from care and devotion. I’m fortunate to work with partners that want to deliver a quality product, and everyone else on board from our architects, engineers, designers, and subcontractors share that same value.
- Where do you find inspiration in your daily life? Do you have any recommended books, podcasts or publications?
- Traveling is my favorite way to seek new inspiration. I really enjoy seeing different architectural and design styles around the world and how they have adapted over the years. We just broke ground on a project that is inspired by The French Quarter in New Orleans, and it’s going to be beautiful. Since travel isn’t daily life, I use Instagram to follow those with similar styles, and then others with completely different styles. Inspiration is everywhere, if you keep an open mind!
To discover more architectural inspiration, visit the Wells Construction Instagram feed.
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