Let’s Celebrate!
[2000] BEGINNING & BUILDING
In December of 2000, Joseph & Brandy had baby Carmen on the way and started VaST — Vigil Architecture Studio with a single project and a modest goal to “stay in business.” The LeVasseur Residence in Erie Village, a craftsman-style two-story home built by the homeowners themselves. This project set the tone for our commitment to collaboration and thoughtful design. It remains a special milestone in our journey, showcasing the spirit of partnership that defines our work.
[2010] RESILIENCE & REINVENTION
The 2009 recession challenged VaST’s growth, and sparked reinvention. We reimagined our brand and relaunched as WORKSHOP8 in 2010, emerging stronger and more adaptive.
[2025] TENACIOUS & THRIVING
Twenty-five years in, our focus is clear: affordable multifamily housing rooted in values-driven design. We bring experience, collaboration, and care to complex projects — because the work matters, and so do the people it serves.
Shoutouts.
Cheluna Brewery Turns 9!
Cheluna is the only production brewery and tap room at the Stanley Marketplace, Colorado’s most exciting adaptive reuse project. Both Stanley Marketplace and Cheluna were designed by WORKSHOP8. W8 designed Cheluna’s logo too.
W8 Birthdays & a Workaversary
Big Happy Birthdays to Marcel (November 19th), Maria (December 22nd) and Joseph (TODAY, January 8th). And Chelsea, thanks for sticking with us 11 years!
Just for Fun.
Wild 8s
Berchem (Ronde van Vlanderin) East Flanders, Belgium shared by Joseph Vigil. An 8, reflected. Marcel spotted this one in a wine glass. Andiamo, Bloomfield Michigan. Spot an 8 in the wild? Send it to brandy@workshop8.us.
Zoning Review Surprise
While doing zoning review for our Link & Pin project on Fox Island (currently in for entitlement with the City of Denver), I stumbled across this gem in the definitions section: Dwarf Goat: See Denver Revised Municipal Code Section 8-4(4.5). I assumed I’d uncovered a City and County of Denver Easter egg — a hidden joke for sharp-eyed code nerds. Turns out… it’s legit. Sec. 8-4(4.5): Dwarf goats shall mean Nigerian Dwarf or African Pygmy breeds of goats. Yes, it lives in Chapter 8: Animals. Yes, Denver officially amended the Zoning Code to allow chickens, ducks, and dwarf goats (with restrictions, obviously). Always something new to learn.
Move In Ready.
The ribbons have been cut. The speeches thanking the design team, builders, and funders have been given. The trays of cookies have been passed. In 2025 we wrapped construction on three major projects:
Overlook at Thornton (rehabilitation for Maiker Housing Partners), Jacoby Meadows Senior Apartments (for the Windsor Housing Authority, with Loveland Housing Authority as developer), and StarRise at North Weld Village (permanent supportive housing for High Plains Housing Development) were each delivered in partnership with housing authorities and nonprofit developers working to expand access to stable, affordable homes.
While each project serves a different population, all required the same focus: practical design decisions, responsible use of resources, and steady follow-through from early planning and design through the last punch-list walk.
Seeing our design support day-to-day life for the people who live there—and knowing the building will continue to do its job for years to come—is a source of real pride and joy in our work.
Thanks for Reading.
As we ring in the new year, we’re back at it, with projects on the boards including the Villas North Apartments rehabilitation in Snowmass and the Link & Pin transit-oriented living in Denver.
New year. New work. New opportunities. 2026, let’s go!
Brandy LeMae
CEO / Project Executive / Creative Director
