The large building is made to appear as several different buildings through the articulation of building mass, multiple facades, and a rich palette of materials. The form of the building mimics that of a large nest (reflected in the name) with four distinct facades and a second-floor courtyard. The parking is hidden within the building on the ground floor with a partially open ceiling to the courtyard above. The prow on the 11th and Navajo corner overlooks public space across the street providing “eyes on the park”. The east staircase is glazed on two sides providing amazing views to downtown Denver and Lincoln / La Alma Park. The building has two additional stair towers and the elevators are de-emphasized encouraging residents to be active. The Housing Authority wanted to minimize interior common space in the project in order to control construction costs; however, there are several congregation areas located on each floor where residents can mingle, relax and study. Each floor is identified with two colors inspired by birds of Colorado. Floor 1 is blue for the Jay and Indigo Bunting; Floor 2 is red for the Red Winged Blackbird and the Pine Grosbeak; Floor 3 is yellow for the Orchard Oriole and Western Tanager; Floor 4 is Green for the Green Tailed Towhee and the Warbler. Colored rubber flooring serves as way finding in the space; green in the south stair and elevator, red in the north, and gray in the east stair. Ample windows scattered throughout the building frame great views to downtown Denver, the interior courtyard, and the park across the street. Where it wasn’t possible to locate windows at the end of long halls, WORKSHOP8 selected art pieces to serve as terminuses to the corridor. Keeping with the theme of the building, the art contains abstract imagery that refers to feathers, birds, nests, and nature. WORKSHOP8 coordinated all furniture, artwork, and wayfinding signage. The 11,000 SF second-floor interior courtyard provides a secure, private gathering space for residents and their guests. The large cut-out in the center allows for full-size trees to grow from the middle of the parking lot below. The over-size, distinctive pots are irrigated and add to the visual palette of the exterior space. The shade structure provides a shelter for picnic tables. Nestled in the southeast corner, there is a natural play area for kids with boulders and squishy, rubber ground cover. The grill area located at the northeast corner overlooks the park across the street. Plant selection includes: sedum ground cover, trees and grasses specified for our local climate. The amorphic benches reinforce the curving shape of the pots and planting beds softening an otherwise rigid building form. The festoon lighting is on a timer and lends to the festive atmosphere on this lively patio. The design team aimed to create functional and high-quality outdoor spaces providing the residents with a sense of ownership and privacy.
WORKSHOP8 provided entitlement and community outreach services, site planning, architecture, interior design, branding, signage design, art design and selection, and contract administration in-house and included civil, landscape, MEP and structural engineering through subconsultants.