Hammersmith Structures
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Hammersmith Structures brings more than two decades of experience in high-end custom construction to accessory dwelling units, treating each ADU as a complete architectural design problem rather than a product to be installed. Based in Fort Collins, the firm serves Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Timnath, Estes Park, Berthoud, and Longmont in Colorado, plus Southeast Wyoming including Cheyenne. Their approach to ADUs reflects their larger philosophy: detailed, site-responsive construction that avoids the cookie-cutter feel of prefab or modular alternatives and instead produces a structure that feels like it belongs to the property it sits on.
The firm specializes in custom design-build ADUs with no fixed floor plans or standard models. Homeowners can commission anything from a guest cottage for aging parents to a dual-purpose structure combining a workshop with guest accommodations, workout spaces with spa facilities, or home offices that double as visitor rooms. Hammersmith works with clients who either bring their own architect or rely on the firm's in-house design expertise. A principal strength is handling the architectural complexity that many builders sidestep: passive house construction principles, unique water features, geothermal systems, and structural details that make a space feel intentional rather than merely functional.
Two portfolio examples illustrate their range. The Old Town Fort Collins project combined a woodshop with guest room in a single structure, built to passive house standards with energy-efficient windows, smart vapor barriers, and exterior finishes that echo the main residence. The structure shows industrial aesthetics through wood siding and Corten steel accents that reference the surrounding neighborhood's character. A second project started as a man cave concept but evolved into a resort-style entertaining space, featuring a sunken swim spa, hot tub, shower, and generous living area with its own bathroom, expandable to patios. These examples demonstrate that Hammersmith's process is collaborative and responsive to how clients actually want to use the space, not prescriptive.
The design-build methodology means architect, contractor, and client work as a single team from the start rather than sequentially. This reduces coordination friction and allows design decisions to account for construction reality while the project is still on paper. Hammersmith maintains a full team internally: project managers, an in-house designer, accounting, and jobsite supervisors, so decisions can be made quickly and accountability remains clear. The firm's leadership, led by principal Chandler Souther, prioritizes communication, guarantees response within 24 to 48 hours, and takes ownership of mistakes. On their own assessment, each member of the build team is invested in how every aspect of the construction comes together.
Pricing for Hammersmith Structures ADUs ranges from around $250,000 to $400,000 and above, depending on the scope, site conditions, and finishes. This places them in the premium end of the Colorado market, but the pricing reflects custom architecture and hands-on craftsmanship rather than markup on assembly-line production. Budget discussions happen early in the process, and clients complete an initial form indicating their target investment and project type. The firm will not overcommit or compromise on quality to hit an arbitrary number, which means if budget and vision misalign, that becomes clear quickly, avoiding expensive redesigns later.
Permitting expertise is another area where Hammersmith demonstrates depth. Fort Collins, Loveland, and other Northern Colorado municipalities have specific ADU regulations, design guidelines, setback requirements, and parking rules that shape what can and cannot be built. Hammersmith's experience navigating these local codes, from initial feasibility conversations through plan review and inspections, means clients benefit from someone who already knows what the city will accept before design begins. This familiarity prevents expensive redesigns once plans are submitted and provides realistic timelines for permitting that account for local review cycles rather than generic estimates. The firm also understands the requirements for accessory structures in unincorporated areas of Larimer and Weld counties, where setbacks, septic distances, and well placement create additional constraints.
Material selection at Hammersmith reflects the firm's focus on durability and architectural intention. Rather than selecting materials by price or convenience, each material choice serves the overall design and performance goals. Exterior finishes, wood cladding, metal accents, stone, or combinations, are selected to echo the main residence or landscape context. Interior materials for flooring, cabinetry, and finishes are chosen for longevity and appropriateness to the space's use. This deliberate approach costs more than specifying commodity materials, but it means a client's ADU avoids the "off-the-shelf" feeling that cheaper construction produces. Quality windows, proper insulation, and attention to thermal mass in passive house projects translate to lower utility costs and greater comfort over the building's lifespan.
Within the Northern Colorado ADU market, Hammersmith stands apart from both prefab and modular manufacturers on one end and bare-bones conversion specialists on the other. They occupy the space of design-first custom building, which suits homeowners who see the ADU as a significant architectural feature of the property and who have time to design rather than buy and install. Compared to other custom builders, Hammersmith's depth in passive house construction and complex details positions them for clients prioritizing energy efficiency, durability, and sophisticated finish work. Their willingness to handle projects that other builders decline, plus their track record with aging-in-place residences and accessible design, indicates a comfort with unusual requirements.
Hammersmith is best suited for homeowners with a clear vision for how they want to use the space, a budget that can support custom design, and a timeline that allows for deliberate construction. These are not rush projects or budget fixes. They are best suited for properties where the ADU should feel like part of the overall architecture, not an afterthought, and for clients who value having a named point of contact they can reach and who care about the details. If you are shopping for a prefab or a modular home that arrives on a truck, this is not the fit. If you are looking for the lowest-cost garage conversion, other builders will undercut them. But if you have a specific site with unique constraints or a vision for what the ADU should become, Hammersmith's collaborative design approach and commitment to craftsmanship make them a strong choice.