About         Exteriors      Interiors        Inventory        Awards & Testimonials       Contact Us        Home PETRA HOMES...           A NAME YOU CAN BUILD ON Recognized as one of "The New Coloradans"                    Mark Kohlman Rocky Mtn News Sunday, 12/31/00 Home builder looks out for environment Story: Michele Ames Photos: Jack Dempsey on special to the news When Mark Kohlman named his custom construction company, he wanted his customers to think of building on a solid rock. One of his early clients took him quite literally. Kohlman designed and built a house for them that wrapped around a jutting rock on the property. And that has become the hallmark of his 4-year-old- company's work. Design it with the environment in mind. "It's probably more of a passion and a love of the work that drives this whole thing", Kohlman said. "I like houses to fit in with the environment rather than just be forced onto the lot." That's why his company is now framing a house that features arched bridges connecting the main rooms to the master bedroom. The goal? Saving a beloved tree on the property. Kohlman, an experienced contractor, brought his two sons to Colorado in the early 1990s to take advantage of the state's lifestyle and the anticipated housing boom. Kohlman was right on both counts. He loves living in Colorado and has built about 20 of the more than 380,000 housing units created in Colorado in the past decade. Last summer, he married native Coloradan Stephanie Farr, who also worked in the construction business. The pair blended their families - she has a young daughter - and sense of home design. "I have heartburn when I see the mountainside taken up with all these small lots. We are just doing our part to make the development a little more blended," said Stephanie Farr Kohlman. "In our little piece of the world, it's what we might do to make it better." Petra Homes produces no two homes alike. They provide support for their clients - from purchasing the land to designing the plans to building the house. They admit they've thought about trying to get a bigger piece of the state's building business by doing larger, cookie-cutter developments. "We're going to stay with custom homes. We can make more money by joining the other group," Kohlman said. "But part of life is your lifestyle. We love our work. We're in a situation where we're proud of what we do and we feel excited about starting the next house." About         Exteriors      Interiors        Inventory        Awards & Testimonials       Contact Us        Home Colorado Springs Custom Home Builder - Petra Homes PO BOX 63288 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80962       Office: (719) 593-1934     Fax: (719) 260-6430