SCANNING THE OLIN HOTEL APARTMENTS
In 1925 the Olin Hotel was one of Denver’s luxury hotels located in the historic neighborhoods of Capitol Hill. A lush courtyard enclosed by wrought iron fencing lured one into a grand ballroom, where decorative tile, copper light fixtures, and a grand piano set for a lavish mood. Spanish inspired arched doorways and windows gave beautiful views of the state capital building, located just one block east.
The Olin was a premier destination for lobbyists and politicians who came to visit the state capital building. For being located in the heart of Denver at the time, it’s hard to understand why the prestigious hotel lived such a short life, and experienced years of neglect and abandonment.
HELLO TO A NEW ERA
What we know of Olin’s story we learned from our client, Senior Housing Options, who purchased the abandoned Olin Hotel in 1982. Paying respect to the history of the Olin by keeping its name along with many charming aesthetics, they recreated the space into 106 single bedroom units to house senior adults and adults with disabilities.
WORKSHOP8 is now undertaking the 2nd round of renovation for the Olin Hotel Apartments, in which we plan to revitalize the aesthetic charm, modernize appliances, and create brand new rooms on the abandoned 5th floor.
LASER SCANNING TECHNOLOGY
Technology has greatly influenced the efficiency of measuring a building’s as-built conditions. In light of these advancements, we are able to increase productivity, limit costs, and improve the accuracy of measuring a buildings existing conditions. To kick off this project we enlisted the help of Steve Foltz, director of 3D Data Pro, to join our walkthrough and measure the entire premise using a laser scanner.
The scanner collects tiny pixels that come together to create a 3-D depiction of the existing conditions on a computer.
The pixels have to be hand traced using ArchiCAD in order to create walls, windows, stairs, ramps, and the entire makeup of the building so that ultimately we can start the design process.
Now we have a modernized, 3-D digital model of The Olin’s existing conditions, in which we can base the new design.
Although the Olin Hotel lived a short life, its unique style and charming character will continue to be cherished by its present and future inhabitants. Stay tuned for the before and after photos to come!
THANKS FOR READING!
Maris DuBois | Studio Manager
28 July 2018
