Our firm recently had the pleasure of working with Whitestone Construction on a small recording studio in Boulder, Colorado. While barely over 600 square feet in area, the studio, its control room, and the new entryway from the adjoining open office area all required special sound-isolated construction and an extremely refined level of detailing.
The studio was envisioned as a "musical oasis" of sorts for the staff (most of whom are themselves musicians) of MakeMusic, a Boulder-based company which has been at the forefront of integrating technology with music and music education for decades. Primary materials included custom-milled maple wall panels, micro-perforated maple veneer acoustical panels, floating wood flooring (stained black), sound-rated doors and windows, and a unique variety of lighting and data/communications systems. After refining the design over nearly a year, it was crucial that the general contractor put as much effort into constructing the new studio as we had in designing it with our client. Whitestone not only met, but exceeded all of our expectations. Their attention to every detail were remarkable, not only the finished surfaces that would be seen, but the challenge of fitting 10 pounds of ductwork and electrical systems in a five-pound bag so that what was seen was not compromised in any way.
Not only did their project manager (Andy Magged) and "working" superintendent (Chip Faller), do an amazing job of making sure that every last piece of wood was properly installed, but company president Bob Bosshart was on site on a regular basis, checking on the progress and quality of the project with his own eyes, and literally helping figure out how to execute some of the more finicky details. Every detail that was important to me as the designer became equally important to Whitestone.
I can honestly say that in my 40+ years as a practicing architect, I've never worked with a contractor who was more responsive, or who took more pride in their work. I'd work with them again in a heartbeat.
- Eric Bartczak