The client wished to transform a banal tilt-up concrete industrial building to an interesting new office building with a completely new sensibility. The existing building had many positive features: tall ceilings, great views, good parking and a very solid structure. But the building was isolated from the street, had small windows and a confusing entry. The re-design added a number of important elements to create a completely new experience from both the inside and the outside.
Firstly, The parking lot was re-configured to create a strong pedestrian way from the street to the building entry. The building itself was wrapped with steel frames with perforated metal on the south and west sides. This created a double skin wall that shaded the windows and the walls of the building to significantly reduce the cooling load. Mesh was left out at the windows to allow views. The skin created a new facade as well that provides a completely new character for the site. A new glass corner was added to create a strong focal point. New lobbies were added, the windows were enlarged and unique design elements are integrated throughout the project. this included a new steel pavilion at the street to echo the form of the building and create a sense to create a very special place and connect the building to the city.
Cost: $ 1,000,000
Building Data: 20,000 sf; 2 floors, multi-tenant office
Date: :2003
Awards: 2003 AIA Colorado North Chapter, Merit Award
Client: Spindrift Ventures