homes

Sunday, April 14, 2002

Yoakums Collaborate on Home Design

By Glen Rosales
For the Journal
    It can be hard for a husband and wife to carry their marriage to the job. But when it works, the advantages can be tremendous, said Mitch Yoakum of Altair Homes.
    Mitch and Terri Yoakum have been in the building industry together some 25 years. They specialize in custom homes; their latest project is a 3,600-square-foot, two-story spec home in High Desert.

ESTIMATED MONTHLY PAYMENTS     (includes estimated taxes and insurance)     For $740,000 home (3,600 square feet): $4,592     Assumptions: 20 percent down, 7 percent interest, 30-year conventional mortgage     Source: Mace Kochenderfer, Anchor Mortgage Group     STANDARD FEATURES     Kiva fireplace     Pine vigas in great room     Jetted tub in master bath     Illuminated nichos     Diamond-plaster interior finish     Two balconies     Backyard kiva     Backyard cooking area     Italian ceramic tile     HEATING/COOLING     Radiant heat; evaporative cooling     INSULATION VALUES     R-37 in the ceiling, R-29 in the walls

    "We have a division of duties," he said. "We always discuss everything but, when it comes time to make a decision, whoever is in charge of that aspect makes the decision. That's the way it works best for us."
    Using each other as sounding boards for ideas gives a distinct advantage.
    "It helps to hear another view from somebody (who) really cares about the business," he said.
    Mitch Yoakum studied art and architecture at the University of New Mexico before leaving school shy of a degree. As a result, he does most of the design work.
    "If I'm doing something on the design, I'll run it by Terri," he said. "She'll tell me something doesn't work. ... Then we start kicking things around and she kind of focuses the issue until it's refined."
    Terri Yoakum studied special education at UNM. Sometimes she adds a feminine element.
    For example, in their $740,000 house in High Desert, the master bath has a vanity in the corner. Terri designed it with a lift top instead of a drawer to store cosmetics — a drawer can be difficult to open when one is seated in front of it.
    "It's something I never would have thought of," Mitch said. "It's a simple thing, but it makes life a little easier."
    Adding little touches is what makes home building a rewarding job, Terri said.
    "I love to come up with different ideas and things to do," she said. "That's what makes it fun."
    The house has some other interesting elements. A balcony stretches across the front of the house, giving it strong curb appeal.
    The entry view is breathtaking.
    Stepping into the house, a visitor first sees through to the back of the great room, which is dominated by a grand kiva fireplace set on a curving section of wall. Through the flanking windows, the Sandia Mountains seem close enough to touch.
    Aligning a house to take advantage of views is one of the most important aspects of building, Mitch said.
    "Many clients want to get started on designing the house right away. But the first thing we do is go out and walk the property. We also do it at night, so we know how to see the city lights," he said.
    The breakfast nook, which sticks well out into the back yard, captures a 180-degree view, from the mouth of Bear Canyon in the east to the lights of Rio Rancho in the northwest.
    "We thought you should be able to wake up to the mountains and really be able to enjoy the morning in this room," Mitch said.
    It's another example of how the Yoakums were able to collaborate to build a house that is the sum of both their experiences.