SPRING 2025

Finally! The weather in the upcoming week is expected to warm up. After a chilly and wet spring, everything is green and beautiful, and we hope the moisture will help keep wildfires at bay. We wish everyone a wonderful Memorial Day weekend spent with family and friends.

At DMA, we are eagerly preparing for a busy building season and are excited to see our projects transform into tangible structures. It’s going to be a lot of fun!

SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVING IS EASY!

As we’ve eagerly awaited the arrival of sunny days and warmer temperatures, many of us have been dreaming about backyard parties, barbeques, and gatherings around a fire pit. Summer in the mountains is brief, so it’s important to make the most of it. We’d like to share some of our projects that help homeowners enlarge their living space with enjoyable outdoor spaces.

A Tale of Two Porches: The Rustic and the Refined

Pictured above is a rustic screened-in porch featuring a wood fireplace, creating the ambiance of a campfire while providing the convenience of modern comforts just steps away. Below, you'll find a more classic porch that appears to be the perfect spot for reading a book, painting a picture, or enjoying an intimate conversation.

Made for Gathering

When people learn that you live in the mountains, you might find yourself hosting vacationing family members, family reunions, weddings, and larger gatherings with friends. Having an outdoor space to come together while enjoying the stunning views and warm weather creates special memories for everyone.

This open-air pavilion is an excellent venue for dinner parties and game nights. Guests can enjoy the refreshing breezes while being shielded from direct sunlight.

When space and budget allow, creating multiple outdoor living areas is a fantastic idea. This ski-in/ski-out property features an outdoor kitchen, lounging chairs in front of a fireplace, and a covered area for a large dining table, perfect for entertaining. Who wouldn’t want to spend time here, surrounded by beautiful pine trees?

This example showcases an expansive outdoor space that blends covered shelter with an open patio. Guests are gathered around a gas firepit, overlooking a man-made, naturalized pond with a view of the Grand Tetons in the background. Many would describe this setting as idyllic.

Outdoor Tranquility

Every home can utilize a solution that enhances outdoor spaces. Below are some smaller-scale areas that provide the best in indoor/outdoor living, connecting the inhabitants to nature. The space below features a built-in grill with a hood and a stone patio that extends to the bedroom wing of the home, creating a clean and simple aesthetic.

This outdoor space has the best of both worlds - a covered wooden deck and a concrete patio with a gas firepit and space for a secluded hottub surrounded by greenery.

Even small outdoor spaces can be an oasis such as this back deck on a home built on just a 1/8 acre property. These spots truly provide sanctuary and rejuvenation.

Don't forget about the elevated decks that can enhance the beautiful views many mountain properties offer. If you're interested in exploring ideas to expand your outdoor living space, feel free to contact us. We would love to help you maximize your opportunities.

MAY IS HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH!

Since our establishment in 1996, Dubbe Moulder Architects has maintained a specialization in historic preservation, led by Principal Kurt Dubbe. Kurt is well-known in the field and actively engages with the historic preservation community in various roles. He is a member of the Wyoming Review Board for National Register Nominations, the Wyoming representative on the Board of Advisors for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a member of the National Trust’s Executive Committee, a board member for the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, and a founding member of Teton County’s Historic Preservation Board.

Throughout its history, DMA has played a vital role in preserving and rehabilitating many iconic buildings across Wyoming, including Carnegie Libraries in Lusk, Lander, and Green River. Between 1899 and 1917, sixteen Carnegie Libraries were established in Wyoming. Small towns could apply for a Carnegie Public Library Building Grant of $10,000, provided they met two criteria: first, the community had to offer a building site, and second, the community needed to fund 10% of the total grant amount for maintenance using tax revenues. This grant enabled towns to construct large libraries, which became significant amenities for their communities.

The libraries hold an important place in the history of each town, as the grant enabled each community to choose the architectural style for their building. Many libraries feature a simple yet formal style, with a prominent entrance accessed by a grand staircase, symbolizing personal elevation through learning. Outside, a lamppost represents enlightenment.

Of the sixteen libraries built in Wyoming, five are still in use as libraries, five have been converted to other uses such as community centers or office buildings, and six have been demolished. If you are traveling through Wyoming, we encourage you to visit these buildings, which are a special part of our state’s history.

Stay safe, live well, see you soon.

307.733.9551

info@dubbe-moulder.com