Heading for Higher Ground

Architects move offices toward sustainability and new neighborhood experiences

By Kelly Davidson

Photo courtesy of 4240 Architecture

Several of Denver’s architecture firms are settling into new offices and changes of scenery. Renovations of various sizes and scopes have given way to design studios that are as creative as they are functional.

“It’s good to change things up every few years,” says Joe Poli of Denver’s Humphries Poli Architects. “Short of literally lighting a fire under people, moving into a new space is the best way to liven up the office dynamic and rejuvenate the creative process.”

After more than 10 years in the Golden Triangle District, Humphries Poli Architects decided it was time to adopt a new neighborhood. At the end of December, the firm moved into a new building at 2100 Downing St., near the former Children’s Hospital campus.

“We targeted this particular area because we wanted our move to have a positive impact on one of Denver’s changing neighborhoods,” Poli says.

In a matter of months, the firm closed on a three-story office building, completed a comprehensive renovation and rented its old office to the interior design firm of Kimberly Timmons Interiors.

“The new building was originally designed in the 1940s for an insurance company, but it had been subdivided into lots of little offices over the years,” Poli says. “But it had a great shell and historic details that we liked and built around, like lime-green terrazzo floors in the lobby and wood paneling.”

The three-month renovation took the bulk of the interior down to the raw structure, leaving behind an open, “loft-like” workspace with LEED-gold commercial interiors.

Heading South

Another Denver firm that changed venues is klipp. After many years at Writer Square downtown, the firm packed its bags in February and headed for a former patio furniture shop and showroom at 201 Broadway.

At approximately 15,000 sq ft, with a main floor and a lower level, klipp’s new home is essentially three buildings that have become one. As part of the renovation, klipp added office space on the north side of the existing structure a showroom and a shop. To create one cohesive space, the design team removed the drop ceiling to expose the existing structure-and-barrel ceiling.

Key to klipp’s design was a desire to maximize the use of natural light in the space both for energy savings and employee morale. Opening up the stairway leading to the lower level was one of several measures that increased the amount of daylight throughout the space.

More Light & Space

4240 Architecture is also adapting to new surroundings. The Denver design firm is settling into new offices in the carved-out hull of an old brick-and-steel foundry building at 3003 Larimer St. in the River North District.

To preserve the original character of the 14,200-sq-ft industrial space, the firm built workstations and war rooms around existing cranes, steel beams and foundry equipment. The finished studio features an open floor plan meant to encourage collaboration among the 70-plus employees.

For RNL, the decision to move was largely motivated by the firm’s need for space. The firm had reached capacity at its 33,500-sq-ft headquarters in the Park Central Building at 1515 Arapahoe St. and had to temporarily take space in a different tower of the same complex to accommodate its needs.

Unlike many firms relocating to different parts of town, RNL moved last fall only a couple of blocks away. Now, the firm and its 140 employees have room to move and grow in the podium space of Independence Plaza at 1050 17th St. The renovation is targeting LEED-gold certification.

“Our goal was not only to create a sustainable and energy-efficient project, but also an environment that promotes the health and well-being of employees,” says David Key, project designer for RNL’s new office.

The resulting design mixes energy-efficient technologies and natural light with recycled and locally manufactured materials. The centerpiece of the layout is an open staircase that connects the two floors of the new 44,000-sq-ft headquarters. The finished product is a modern, bright space with 12-ft-high ceilings, open workstations and glass-fronted conference rooms.

Hailing a Taxi

Other firms are finding new homes at the Taxi Development in Denver’s River North neighborhood. The newly completed complex has attracted artsy occupants with industrial-style office and condo space. Architect Alan Ford says Taxi was the perfect place to go out on his own while still maintaining a sense of community.

“There are a lot of creative types here and a nice exchange of ideas,” Ford says. “Being able to collaborate on projects with other groups, designers or architects in the building was a big draw for me.”

Other design firms that have grabbed space at Taxi include Barker Rinker Seacat, KL&A, studioINSITE, Landworks Design and Demiurge Design.

After 14 years as a principal at Hutton Ford Architects, Ford decided to start his own firm, Alan Ford Architects. Ford moved into a second-floor design studio with three workstations, a conference room and reception area.

Ford, who is known best for promoting sustainable design, chose energy-efficient lighting and green materials, including recycled carpet and sustainably harvested bamboo.

On Broadway

Ford’s amicable departure led his former business partner Paul Hutton to create Hutton Architectural Studio although Hutton Ford Architects will continue as an entity for Hutton and Ford to jointly pursue some projects. The duo is currently working with LandWorks Design Inc. on the Staunton Park Master Plan for Colorado State Parks.

Meanwhile, the shuffle gave Hutton an opportunity to hone his vision for an ideal workspace. For Hutton Architectural Studio, he set his sights on the third floor of an historic 1890s building in the Broadway corridor.

The building, which had been home to a formal wear company, came with high ceilings, good daylight and loads of potential, Hutton says.

The new office, which won McGraw-Hill’s Gold Hard Hat Award for interior design, capitalizes on ample daylight and mountain views.

The recycled materials and furniture reflect the firm’s sustainable background. Daylight filters through translucent walls of interior conference rooms, creating a space that is 100% daylighted. The 4,800-sq-ft space comfortably accommodates the firm’s 14 employees, allowing room for an additional 10 employees as the firm grows.

“All staff work stations are clustered together in the highest volume along the building front, which offers mountain views,” Hutton says. “The result is a strong studio experience that promotes teamwork and innovation.”

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