the aerie – WORKSHOP8

EXTERIOR & COURTYARD

INTERIORS

RENDERING

SIGNAGE & ART

Denver Housing Authority

Annie Hancock, Real Estate Communications & Community Engagement Manager
ahanco@denverhousing.org

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PROJECT DATES

August 2013 to June 2016

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Aerie includes 10 three and four bedroom town-home style units and 84 one and two bedroom flats for a total of 94 residential units. There is 1,800 SF of ground-floor commercial space dedicated to a local non-profit, Bikes Together. The architectural design concept took inspiration from a phrase found in a neighborhood mural: “Learning from the past, focused on the future.” WORKSHOP8 worked closely with the community to incorporate historic design references and juxtapose them with contemporary forms and materials. 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.

SERVICES PROVIDED

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.

PROJECT TEAM

Design Team Lead | WORKSHOP8
Architect & Project Manager | Joseph Vigil
Creative Director | Brandy LeMae
Assistant Project Manager | Emily Axtman
Production Support | Emily Axtman, Graham Bowman, Nathan Stark, Kasia Kubia, Ivan Patino
Interior Designers | Ulla Lange, Kate Van Sluyter and Chelsea Semelka
Graphic Designers | Melissa McGinley and Graham Bowman

Photographer | Daniel O'Connor
Unit 109 Stager | Next Stage Interiors

SIZE

94 Units / 97,956 SF residential & 27,068 SF garage

POPULATIONS SERVED

Mixed-Income Families and Young Professionals

FUNDING

HUD & 9% LIHTC

SUSTAINABILITY

2014 - EGC & LEED-Platinum Certified

SAFE HARBORS

CONSTRUCTION COST

$19,524,046