About Us
Boulder Architectural Firm - Best of Houzz 2017, 2016, 2014 & 2013
Fänas Architecture p.c. has been providing client inclusive sustainable design solutions since the early '90's, specializing in custom homes and residential additions & remodels.
The majority of our projects are new custom homes or remodelings & additions to existing homes. And although the foundation of our firm has long been our residential work, we also design non-residential projects when they are intended to possess the special qualities found in our residential work. We also have extensive experience in retail, commercial, and office projects, multi-family residential projects, mixed-use projects, assisted living facilities, resort design, and affordable housing. In both non-residential and residential projects the firm’s commitment to sustainable design and sense of place are evident.
Company President Dale Smith has 28 years experience providing architectural and design work to a variety of users. His experiences during that time have provided exposure to a wide variety of project and building types. He has been involved with corporate and institutional planning, design and interiors projects, airports, commercial office, retail projects & food service projects.
Services Provided
3D Rendering, Bathroom Design, Building Design, Construction Drawings, Custom Homes, Drafting, Energy-Efficient Homes, Floor Plans, Green Building, Historic Building Conservation, Home Additions, Home Extensions, Home Remodeling, House Plans, Kitchen Design, New Home Construction, Site Preparation, Space Planning, Sustainable Design, Universal Design, Basement Remodel Design
Areas Served
Boulder, Broomfield, Eldorado Springs, Glendale, Gold Hill, Gunbarrel, Jamestown, Longmont, Louisville, Niwot, Pine Brook Hill, Sugarloaf, Superior, Denver, Durango, Pagosa Springs, Castle Rock, Monument, Larkspur, Evergreen, Golden, Vail, Summit County, Eagle County, Durango Mountain Resort
Awards
LEED certifiedBoulder Green Points certifiedGreen Advantage certifiedColorado Green Building Guild Founding Member
25 Projects
Credentials
7 Houzz Awards
5 Houzz Badges
Featured Review
William Hembree
Relationship
Client
Dale and Elizabeth Smith are great architects to work with. They are designing our new mountain retirement home and we are delighted with the plans. So delighted that we are having them do the construction supervision for us as well.Read Full Review
11 Reviews for Fänas Architecture
William Hembree
Relationship
Client
Dale and Elizabeth Smith are great architects to work with. They are designing our new mountain retirement home and we are delighted with the plans. So delighted that we are having them do the construction supervision for us as well. They have demonstrated a great depth of knowledge and understanding of both home design and the various local regulatory environments.
It is clear from all of our interactions with them that they share a passion for home design.
Their process is very thorough and they responded promptly to every change we requested. They were able to help us to understand the implications and keep the project within our budget.
November 30, 2017
Cornerstone Homes
Relationship
Colleague
We’re currently working with Fanas as the general contractor on two custom residential projects, one in Golden and the other in Longmont. Dale and Elizabeth have consistently been very professional and responsive throughout the whole process and understand how to design spaces that are not only incredibly beautiful but smart and efficient. Their expertise in architecture is translated through the detail in the designs they create and their collaborative efforts have made our experiences working with them to be very positive.
May 3, 2016
psterrules
Relationship
Client
We have been so pleased with Dale and Elizabeth's leadership and design on the creation of our Dream Home. As new arrivals to Colorado, they have guided us through the design and construction process, and have created a home that reflects our adventurous spirits. They have listened so well while bring inspiration and creativity to the work.
November 16, 2015
nhirsh
Relationship
Client
We hired Fanas to design a master bedroom addition over our garage. Fanas was very professional and responsive to our needs. Looking at the house, you cant tell that the addition wasn't part of the original house, a seamless design. Highly recommended! An outstanding experience overall!
November 9, 2015Last modified:November 9, 2015
Van Matre Construction, LLC
Relationship
Colleague
I have worked with Dale and Elizabeth on several projects (I am a builder) from small remodels to new homes, and commercial jobs. I have found them to be excellent on every job we have done. Truly inspired design, style, and use of space. I recommend them to anyone interested in building or remodeling who wants to have a home or business that looks great, works efficiently, and feels good to be in.
December 17, 2014
margaretmrogers
Relationship
Client
Versatility and creativity! These are the reasons that we chose Fanas Architecture. We interviewed at least 12 architects (no exaggeration), and most of them had a particular style. When we viewed the Fanas portfolio, we saw that the architects would be open to our design ideas. After seeing price quotes from the other architects, we were pleasantly surprised with their affordability.
Fanas designed and oversaw the construction on both the remodel of our 1950's ranch, as well as a new addition. For photos, see "East Boulder Remodel".
March 12, 2014
ankec
Relationship
Client
Both Dale and Elizabeth at Fanas Architecture were great to work with. They took my ideas and vision and translated that into beautiful designs that our contractor turned into a reality. We had a very ugly old fashioned tri-level house from the 1960's that has been transformed into a beautiful modern home. What I especially like about working with Fanas is that they gave us options for how to save money on the things that didn't matter and where to splurge to make the most impact. They engaged with the contractors, the city and engineers to make the entire process as smooth as possible.
I highly recommend Fanas Architecture for any sized project.
I'll post pictures as soon as we're finished painting and adding trim, it's part of where we decided to save some money but it will take more time to complete.
February 16, 2014
mazurda1
Relationship
Contracted through our builder
We contracted with Fanas architecture through our builder. The house that Dale designed for us was a beautiful 6000 sq ft mountain top house. Dale listened to the general concept of what we wanted and came back with an initial design that was a great basis for the finished product. Dale patiently listened to our suggested changes and provided helpful concepts. This was an evolving project that Dale led us through ending up with an unique home that has met all of our desires. The general layout of the house took advantage of the mountaintop location, providing beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains from every room. All the details were carefully thought out from the kitchen, great room, family room, bedrooms, library and theater room. We were very pleased working with Dale and thoroughly enjoy living in our beautiful home.
February 8, 2014
kenlyman
Relationship
Client
We hired Dale Smith of Fanas to help us with a major remodel of a 1960's-era ranch house. It was a design challenge, because we needed a one-level home on the same 2000 square ft. footprint of the original foundation. We shared our general ideas of the design elements we wanted. Dale was very perceptive in understanding our design and budget goals. His concept drawings hit the mark and resulted in the final design which resulted in the beautifully scaled and "360" design, i.e. excellent from every angle/all sides, inside and out, we wanted. We found Dale and Elizabeth to be knowledgeable, creative and practical. We would recommend them to anyone building a new house or remodeling an existing home. They were also very smart about interacting with the County building department. Ken & Joanne Lyman
February 6, 2014
donnasyl
Relationship
Client
Even though we're in a mountain town our spectacular view is of a river valley with flat topped ridges, mesas, on each side. The lot is on a narrow ledge with a long narrow building envelope and with a busy road on one side, down below. We wanted a view from every room, no noise from the road, one level, contemporary, open, living-outside-feeling and we wanted the house to look as if it just belongs here, just tucked in on the ledge. Dale and Elizabeth got it! The house frames the amazing view and even though we have shades in the guest room they have never been lowered. We can see a pair of nesting bald eagles near the river, watched them soar the thermals today. We hear no road noise and everyone who walks in says "Wow!!!"
January 28, 2014
bradyyzf
Relationship
Colleague
I am a builder that has bid and built several Fa'nas projects and can recommend them without hesitation. As a builder, I can tell you that a good set of plans is the most important key to a successful project. The detail and clarity of plans ensures that the bids can be compared 'apples-to-apples', communicates what should be included in the bid, and ultimately defines the scope of work in the contract. Dale and Elizabeth's plans have been consistently excellent, allowing me to bid with confidence and build efficiently. Others can talk about their vision, style, or the aesthetics of their design, (this is also inspired in my opinion), but as a builder the most important thing is the accuracy and clarity.
The money you spend on Fa'nas plans will be saved by lack of change orders and lack of mistakes.
January 27, 2014
9 Ideabooks
33 Comments
Commented: TrimIt's a stained Alder, also used for all the interior doors.
2 days ago
Commented: What is the rust color in the center of the fireplace?That is a steel plate that we'd acid-washed to expedite the rusting process. That exact color is a function of the acid, which, unfortunately was done a while back & I don't have that info. You mi...
June 25, 2019
Commented: May I ask the wall color, please?Hi Anne,
I'm sorry, but this was done perhaps 10 years ago, I just don't remember. Take this to most any paint store & they can do a computer color match.
February 13, 2019
Commented: StairsThey're a rough-sawn doug fir 3x12.
August 19, 2017
Commented: FireplaceThank-you for the compliment. The shelves are roughly 30" wide x 10" deep. They became a bit shallower than originally anticipated when we added the stone at the back of the shelves, but t...
October 17, 2016
Commented: Fireplace stoneThis is a thin-stone veneer, a Telluride Gold mix from Telluride Stone.
August 31, 2016
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