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The Kern House in Arapahoe Acres

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Location
Englewood, Colorado
Year
1952
Structure
House (Single Residence)
Style
Midcentury
This modest home was designed and built in 1952 by Denver developer Edward Hawkins.
This modest home was designed and built in 1952 by Denver developer Edward Hawkins.
Large fixed-pane windows facing the street are flanked by louvers that can be opened to provide cross-ventilation through the home, a useful feature in Denver’s generally mild climate.
Large fixed-pane windows facing the street are flanked by louvers that can be opened to provide cross-ventilation through the home, a useful feature in Denver’s generally mild climate.
The living space was expanded into the original garage and the garage door was replaced by a window wall. The expansion, which included an addition behind the house was also designed by Edward Hawkins. Note the block wall extending to the home next door. This unifying composition is original to both homes, and was the intent of the designer to make these modest homes appear larger from the street. The orange gate leads to a private patio adjacent to the house.
The living space was expanded into the original garage and the garage door was replaced by a window wall. The expansion, which included an addition behind the house was also designed by Edward Hawkins. Note the block wall extending to the home next door. This unifying composition is original to both homes, and was the intent of the designer to make these modest homes appear larger from the street. The orange gate leads to a private patio adjacent to the house.
Original details in the living room include wall paneling, stained tongue-and-groove ceilings, stained beams, and doors on either side of the fixed-pane windows that open to louvres for cross ventilation, when desired.
Original details in the living room include wall paneling, stained tongue-and-groove ceilings, stained beams, and doors on either side of the fixed-pane windows that open to louvres for cross ventilation, when desired.
While interior walls were treated with wood paneling, exterior walls are comprised of exposed pumice block with red brick sills and wall base as accents. Doors on either side of the fixed-pane windows open to louvres for cross ventilation, when desired.
While interior walls were treated with wood paneling, exterior walls are comprised of exposed pumice block with red brick sills and wall base as accents. Doors on either side of the fixed-pane windows open to louvres for cross ventilation, when desired.
This wood paneled room divider separates the kitchen from the living room, and is a piece of millwork, rather than a wall. The design, including the architectural glass penetration with display shelves, is as originally built.
This wood paneled room divider separates the kitchen from the living room, and is a piece of millwork, rather than a wall. The design, including the architectural glass penetration with display shelves, is as originally built.
A small dining room adjacent to the kitchen has a window wall to the backyard, and is an extension of the adjacent U-shaped kitchen.
A small dining room adjacent to the kitchen has a window wall to the backyard, and is an extension of the adjacent U-shaped kitchen.
The kitchen in this home features its original cabinets, stainless-steel countertop with integrated sink. and tile backsplash. a new section of stainless-steel countertop was added on the right to replace the original range and clothes-washing machine.
The kitchen in this home features its original cabinets, stainless-steel countertop with integrated sink. and tile backsplash. a new section of stainless-steel countertop was added on the right to replace the original range and clothes-washing machine.
The kitchen in this home features its original cabinets, stainless-steel countertop with integrated sink. and tile backsplash. a new section of stainless-steel countertop was added on the right to replace the original range and clothes-washing machine.
The kitchen in this home features its original cabinets, stainless-steel countertop with integrated sink. and tile backsplash. a new section of stainless-steel countertop was added on the right to replace the original range and clothes-washing machine.
The kitchen in this home features its original cabinets, stainless-steel countertop with integrated sink. and tile backsplash. a new section of stainless-steel countertop was added on the right to replace the original range and clothes-washing machine.
The kitchen in this home features its original cabinets, stainless-steel countertop with integrated sink. and tile backsplash. a new section of stainless-steel countertop was added on the right to replace the original range and clothes-washing machine.
A small dining room adjacent to the kitchen has a window wall to the backyard, and is an extension of the adjacent U-shaped kitchen.
A small dining room adjacent to the kitchen has a window wall to the backyard, and is an extension of the adjacent U-shaped kitchen.
The living space was expanded into the original garage and the garage door was replaced by a window wall. The expansion, which included an addition behind the house was also designed by Edward Hawkins. The same simple architectural language was extended into this space, including wall paneling, stained tongue-and-groove ceilings and exposed beams.
The living space was expanded into the original garage and the garage door was replaced by a window wall. The expansion, which included an addition behind the house was also designed by Edward Hawkins. The same simple architectural language was extended into this space, including wall paneling, stained tongue-and-groove ceilings and exposed beams.
The living space was expanded into the original garage and included an addition behind the house, both of which were also designed by Edward Hawkins. The same simple architectural language was extended into this space, including wall paneling, stained tongue-and-groove ceilings and exposed beams.
The living space was expanded into the original garage and included an addition behind the house, both of which were also designed by Edward Hawkins. The same simple architectural language was extended into this space, including wall paneling, stained tongue-and-groove ceilings and exposed beams.
The home’s one bathroom carries on the same vintage fit-and-finish as the rest of the house.
The home’s one bathroom carries on the same vintage fit-and-finish as the rest of the house.
This group of eight homes in Arapahoe Acres, designed and built by Edward Hawkins were designed as one unified group of homes. As a result, Hawkins carefully emphasized indoor and outdoor privacy in the design. This patio in the backyard is directly accessible from both the master bedroom addition (left) and the dining room.
This group of eight homes in Arapahoe Acres, designed and built by Edward Hawkins were designed as one unified group of homes. As a result, Hawkins carefully emphasized indoor and outdoor privacy in the design. This patio in the backyard is directly accessible from both the master bedroom addition (left) and the dining room.
A window wall in the master bedroom addition looks out into the spacious back yard.
A window wall in the master bedroom addition looks out into the spacious back yard.
The wing on the left was added after the home was built, and was designed by the home’s original builder and designer, Edward Hawkins.
The wing on the left was added after the home was built, and was designed by the home’s original builder and designer, Edward Hawkins.
The spacious master bedroom was added after the home was built, and was designed by the home’s original builder and designer, Edward Hawkins. A modern fireplace with glass above the hearth provides and unique architectural element, while a window wall looks out into the spacious back yard. The same architectural language of wood paneling, stained tongue-and-groove ceilings, and exposed pumice block extends into the addition (although previous owners added drywall over the original pumice block in this room).
The spacious master bedroom was added after the home was built, and was designed by the home’s original builder and designer, Edward Hawkins. A modern fireplace with glass above the hearth provides and unique architectural element, while a window wall looks out into the spacious back yard. The same architectural language of wood paneling, stained tongue-and-groove ceilings, and exposed pumice block extends into the addition (although previous owners added drywall over the original pumice block in this room).
The spacious master bedroom was added after the home was built, and was designed by the home’s original builder and designer, Edward Hawkins. The same architectural language of wood paneling, stained tongue-and-groove ceilings, and exposed pumice block extends into the addition (although previous owners added drywall over the original pumice block in this room).
The spacious master bedroom was added after the home was built, and was designed by the home’s original builder and designer, Edward Hawkins. The same architectural language of wood paneling, stained tongue-and-groove ceilings, and exposed pumice block extends into the addition (although previous owners added drywall over the original pumice block in this room).

18 more photos

Details

Square Feet
1558
Lot Size
7405
Bedrooms
3
Full Baths
1

Credits

Posted by
Architect
Edward B. Hawkins
Builder
Edward B. Hawkins
Photographer
Publications
House + Home Magazine, August 1952

From Adrian Kinney, Mid-Century Modern Real Estate & Design

Some of the most unique and inspirational mid-century modern architecture in the Denver area, if not the country, is found in Arapahoe Acres. As the first mid-century neighborhood in the country to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, owning a home in Arapahoe Acres is owning a piece of architectural history. But more than the notoriety that comes with owning a home in this unique neighborhood, you get to benefit from the very human-centered design details that make this neighborhood exceptional.

Welcome to the Kern House. Built in 1952, this home is one of the earlier houses built in the tract, and was developed as a group of modest and affordable homes designed by the talented home designer/developer Edward Hawkins. Hawkins designed this group of eight homes as a single cohesive design emphasizing affordability, indoor-outdoor living, and indoor/outdoor privacy. The unique aspects of this group of homes was recognized in the August 1952 issue of House + Home Magazine, a publication devoted to the home building trade.

Built with a simple and elegant architectural language, the flat roofs and deep overhangs of these homes emphasize horizontality, and blend the house into the landscape. Long windows in front of the original house are flanked with louvres that appear like shutters, but are in fact meant to be opened and closed to allow for natural cross ventilation through the house. The houses are connected by private pumice block walls that create a single composition between each of the four pairs of homes, and the same pumice block is used on the exterior itself, left exposed indoors and out, and combined with accents of brick and painted wood.

Inside, this home features original stained exposed beams, exposed pumice block walls, wood paneling, and stained tongue-and-groove wood ceilings. An original wood-paneled pony wall hides the kitchen from the living room, except for a frosted glass opening in the wall, and the kitchen itself features its original cabinets and stainless steel sink and counter. The natural materials bring warmth into the home, the large windows bring natural light, and the efficient floor plan is not-too-big and not-too-small.