Today we’d like to introduce you to Cherie Goff.
Hi Cherie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I love designing and crafting spaces that make people feel good. Life can be busy and complicated, and I want to create homes that help people relax and recharge. I find a lot of peace in being connected to the outdoors, and I love helping my clients bring that same sense of calm and connection into their homes. I launched cgmodern architecture four years ago as a small firm focused on modern, energy-efficient homes. The idea took shape after I designed and built my own home in the mountains. I had previously been a principal and co-owner at another firm, but when it became clear that I had a different vision than my partners, I decided it was time to branch out on my own.
The timing ended up being ideal. The home I built received an AIA Colorado Design Award and was featured in Sunset Magazine and 5280 Home, providing a strong launching point for my new firm. I focus on residential work and truly enjoy providing clients personal, attentive service.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I started cgmodern with a lot of experience and established connections, which in some ways made the transition easier. Of course, cgmodern differs from my previous company in many ways, including being smaller in size, but that experience was invaluable when it came to opening and running my own business. I think the biggest challenge of this chapter was the mental shift of running the company on my own. I now handle everything from marketing to posting on Instagram, which isn’t my strong suit, and I no longer have colleagues to talk shop with. To help with that, I started a group with other architects and designers running their own small firms. We meet regularly, and it has been a great way to make friends and to give and receive the support and sense of community I was missing.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a boutique firm with over 30 years of experience designing award-winning custom homes in Colorado. I handle both architecture and interior design, which allows me to give each client highly personalized attention. I started cgmodern architecture to create modern, environmentally conscious homes that feel connected to nature and are thoughtfully sized for the way people actually live. The “CG” has a double meaning: Colorado Green Modern Architecture, and a playful nod to my own initials, Cherie Goff.
As a Colorado native, my work is shaped by experiences outdoors, including hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, and soaking in hot springs, as well as by my travels, including a formative year living in Denmark. The clean, minimalist architecture of Northern Europe continues to influence my approach to designing calm, modern spaces that serve as a restorative backdrop to daily life. Having designed my own home, I understand firsthand how a well-designed home can improve everyday life, providing great kitchens to cook family meals and peaceful spaces to recharge.
My work challenges the notion that “bigger is better.” Instead, I focus on warm, energy-efficient, right-sized homes that encourage connection with family, community, and the landscape. I use thoughtful modern design and abundant natural light to help spaces feel open and expansive. Open layouts, multifunctional rooms, and strong indoor–outdoor relationships allow smaller homes to live larger. These choices also reduce environmental impact and support more meaningful living.
One of the things I’m most proud of—and still a bit in disbelief about—is that my firm was included on Forbes’ first list of America’s Top 200 Residential Architects. This recognition reflects the heart, care, and attention to detail that go into every project, as well as our commitment to creating site-specific, modern, sustainable homes that bring joy to the people who live in them.
What were you like growing up?
I was a little shy growing up and a bit of an introvert, which feels pretty fitting for an architect. I remember spending entire recesses searching for feathers instead of playing with the other kids—not because I didn’t enjoy playing, but because I loved exploring the wooded grounds around the school. I also loved making forts, from snow forts outside to pillow-and-furniture forts inside. In third grade, I wrote that I wanted to be a teacher so I could arrange the desks the way I wanted to. Looking back, I guess I’ve always had the urge to shape and sculpt the spaces around me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cgmodern.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cgmodern/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheriegoff/
Image Credits
David Lauer Photography, Daniel Jenkins Photography
