“This course is intended to meet ability level for NAAB SC.5 Design Synthesis: How the program ensures that students understand the established and emerging systems, technologies, and assemblies of building construction, and the methods and criteria architects use to assess those technologies against the design, economics, and performance objectives of projects.”
“This course is intended to meet understanding level for NAAB SC.6 Building Integration except SC.6.7: How the program ensures that students develop the ability to make design decisions within architectural projects While demonstrating integration of building envelope systems and assemblies, structural systems, environmental control Systems, life safety systems, and the measurable outcomes of building performance.”
NAAB LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course is intended to meet ability level for NAAB SC.5 Design Synthesis: How the program ensures that students understand the established and emerging systems, technologies, and assemblies of building construction, and the methods and criteria architects use to assess those technologies against the design, economics, and performance objectives of projects.
SC.5: Design Synthesis:
• SC.5.1 Design Decisions that Synthesize Multiple Factors
This course is intended to meet understanding level for NAAB SC.6 Building Integration except SC.6.7:
How the program ensures that students develop the ability to make design decisions within architectural projects while demonstrating integration of building envelope systems and assemblies, structural systems, environmental control systems, life safety systems, and the measurable outcomes of building performance.
SC.6: Building Integration:
• SC.6.1 Integrated Decision-Making Design Process
• SC.6.2 Integrated Building Envelope Systems
• SC.6.3 Integrated Building Assemblies
• SC.6.4 Integrated Structural Systems
• SC.6.5 Integrated Environmental Control Systems
• SC.6.6 Integrated Life Safety Systems
Team Work, Collaboration, & My Contribution
This semester I found myself collaborating with others often. Kennedy Williams and I intially did research about demographics of the Denver area and presented this information to the class. Kalissa Fruetel and Jackson Roth worked with me to gather information about building code restrictions that the class would need to incorporate in our individual building proposals. Amanda Willen, Julia Bond, and I worked together to conduct a site and context analysis. Amanda analyzed the resources of Denver. Julia analyzed environmental factors. I analyzed climatic and demographic factors. Our combined analysis allowed us to make informed proposals for the development of the sites together. These site proposals would later influence how each of us designed our individual buildings. Methods of collaboration included meeting outside of class time to work together and messaging updates, questions, and information, ensuring everyone was on the same page. I learned the value of clear communication and the importance of delegation. In terms of individual work, the building itself, Oasis on Speer, was completely my own work. I developed all components of this building including plans, sections, elevations, facades, materiality, systems, etc. While my group developed a proposal for site strategies to incorporate, the final site design on site 2 is my own work. It was valuable establishing a group mission that I got to incorporate into my building proposal.
SITE CONTEXT + SITE PROPOSALS
• Site Conditions and Context
• User Requirements
• Site Proposal
INITIAL MASSING + BUILDING PROPOSAL
• Regulatory Requirements
• Building Design Process
• Design Framework
• Building Design
• Plans
• Elevations
• Sections
• Assembly
• Systems
• Building Performance
• Bibliogrpahy
SC.5.1: 11, 13, 15-21, 26-37, 42
SC.5.2: 10-13, 15-17, 42
SC.5.3: 16-17
SC.5.4: 2-10, 13-15
SC.5.5: 14, 26
SC.5.6: 13-15, 26-33, 39
SC.6.1: 18-25
SC.6.3: 26, 37
SC.6.4: 26, 38, 40-42
SC.6.5: 26, 38, 40-42
SC.6.6: 27-33, 39
SC.6.7: 42
CONTEXT OVERVIEW
Located in Lower Downtown Denver, our sites had a few key contextual factors to consider including:
• Cherry Creek: flows right through the middle of the sites. Currently a bit dirty and unkempt but still used by walkers and bikers. There’s work being done to protect and better Cherry Creek.
• Speer BLVD: a wide, loud, fast paced road with lots of traffic running along the sites. Not pedestrian friendly.
• Larimer Square: a protected, pedestrian only, historic district near the sites. Includes retail, dining, and community events. Very lively and community driven.
• Auaria Campus: home to 3 different colleges. Hosts approximately 38,000 students yet only contains 2 student housing facilities on site.
• Downtown District: the downtown district serves as an economic hub. Businesses, stores, shops, companies, etc. and the people who work in them are vital to the success of the city.
DENVER - ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT
DENVER - ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT
OBSERVATIONS
• DOWNTOWN DENVER LACKS GREEN SPACES
• CHERRY CREEK SERVES AS THE PRIMARY GREENERY
Downtown Denver creates a heat island effect with excessive concrete, except for this green spaces around cherry creek. Our three sites are currently contributing to the heat island effect because they are parking lots. There is a need to connect our sites to this green strip.
• MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF CONCRETE
CREATE A HEAT ISLAND EFFECT
Downtown Denver creates a heat island effect with excessive concrete, except for this green spaces around cherry creek. Our three sites are currently contributing to the heat island effect because they are parking lots. There is a need to connect our sites to this green strip.
DISCONNECTED FROM THE SITE
Downtown Denver creates a heat island effect with excessive concrete, except for this green spaces around cherry creek. Our three sites are currently contributing to the heat island effect because they are parking lots. There is a need to connect our sites to this green strip.
SURROUNDING OUR SITE YET IT’S
DENVER - INFRASTRUCTURE CONTEXT
SITE
EDUCATION DISTRICT
DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
RECREATION DISTRICT
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
CHERRY CREEK & PLATTE RIVER ROADS
LARIMER SQUARE
• EST. 1858
• BECAME A PROTECTED DISTRICT IN 1971
• PEDESTRIAN ONLY SINCE 2020
SPEER BLVD
• 5 - 7 LANES IN ONE DIRECTION
• FAST TRAFFIC, LOUD, DANGEROUS
DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
SPEERBLVD
RECREATION DISTRICT
EDUCATION DISTRICT
COLFAX AVE
DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
• EST. 1858
• BECAME STATE CAPITOL IN 1876
I-25
EDUCATION DISTRICT
• EST. 1973
• APPX 14,00 STUDENTS
DENVER - RESOURCES
OBSERVATIONS
• OVERALL THERE’S A LACK OF RESOURCES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE SITE
NEIGHBORHOOD - RESOURCES
NEIGHBORHOOD - RESOURCES
NEIGHBORHOOD - RESOURCES
GROCERY/CONVENIENCE STORES
MINUTE CLINICS / URGENT CARE
CVS / WALGREENS
LAUNDRY FACILITIES
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT OR UNDER 30% AMI
MICRO - SCALE + PERMEABILITY
• LIMITED PERMEABILITY ON SITES, EVEN ALONG CHERRY CREEK, PATHS ARE NON PORUS
• FEW TREES, LITTLE SHADE
OBSERVATIONS
• HOT DRY SUMMERS
• COLD SNOWY WINTERS
• 40-70 INCHES OF SNOW A YEAR
• INTENSE SUN IN THE SUMMER
FREQUENT DETRIMENTAL SUN
FREQUENT BENEFICIAL SUN
PASSIVE SUN
/ COMFORT LEVEL
AVERAGE SNOWFALL GRAPHS FROM WEATHERSPARK.COM
NEIGHBORHOOD - DEMOGRAPHICS
PROJECT GOALS
NEIGHBORHOOD - NEEDS
PROJECT GOALS
COMMUNITY NEEDS
PERSONAS
NEIGHBORHOOD - AMENITIES
AMENITIES - PUBLIC TO PRIVATE
AMENITIES - PUBLIC TO PRIVATE
OBSERVATIONS
• SITE 1: GROCERY STORE, MEDICAL CENTER, & COUNSELING CENTER
• SITE 2: RESTAURANT & RETAIL STORES
• SITE 3: CAFE & PUBLIC MARKET SPACE
• PUBLIC OUTDOOR GREEN SPACES ON ALL SITES
SITE CONCEPT - INTERMINGLING NEIGHBORHOOD
MISSION STATEMENT
PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ANY AND ALL WORKERS IN DENVER WHILE ALSO ENSURING ACCESS TO NECESSITIES AND NETWORKING WITHIN OUR INTERMINGLING NEIGHBORHOOD.
DAVID
• 35
• LIVES ALONE
• TAKES TRANSIT TO & FROM WORK
• ENJOYS WALKING HIS DOG ON CHERRY CREEK
LIZ
• 26
• SHARES APARTMENT WITH BOYFRIEND
• BIKES TO & FROM WORK
• LIKES TO HAVE SPACE OUTSIDE HER APARTMENT TO WORK
2 - DESIGN FRAMEWORK & REGULATIONS
ARCHITECTURAL BASIS OF USE & FORM
• Public vs Private: it was important to create a clear distinction between public amenities and private apartments. Apartments also needed to be design with privacy in mind.
• Sustainability: building shape, orientation, and features needed to capitalize on environmental factors like sunlight and watershed.
• Intermingling: community spaces both indoor and outdoor encourage both the residents and the public to interact and create connections to one another.
ARCHITECTURAL BASIS THROUGH MATERIALITY + INTANGIBLE QUALITIES
• Black Brick: red brick is the most common material on Larimer due to its historic nature. Red brick felt too historic for my building but black brick allowed me to take a historically relevant material and modernize it to fit my design.
• Wood: light, organic materials like timber structural components and wood louvers beautifully contrast the dark, industrial brick.
• Green: it is known that the color green can promote healing, comfort, and balance. By incorporating green mullions, green window frames, and green plants, the building can better people’s everyday lives.
SUMMARY OF KEY GOALS
• Create an Oasis: incorporate greenery, spaces for intermingling, and provide resources for all demographics across all three sites. Building should feel like a retreat from everyday life.
• Create a Sustainable Design: building should reduce storm water runoff, utilize solar energy, decrease detrimental summer sun, and reduce heat island effects.
• Prioritize Views to Cherry Creek: apartment units should be oriented towards Cherry Creek and creating a “portal” opening on the ground floor can draw people to views of Cherry Creek.
• Bring Larimer to Market: set the building back from Market Street, create outdoor plaza, and orient retail towards Market Street.
• Provide Outdoor Spaces: develop public plaza on Market Street, cut a “portal” through the first floor to create an outdoor nook, and include 2nd floor patios for residents to intermingle.
ZONING
• C-MX-8
• CODES
• IBC 2021 CONSTRUCTION TYPE
• TYPE I - B & TYPE IV - C
• TIMBER IN RESIDENTIAL
• STEEL & CONCRETE IN PARKING GARAGE & FIRST FLOOR
OCCUPANCY TYPES
• R-2: APARTMENTS
• A-2: RESTAURANT
• M: RETAIL STORES
IBC ALLOWABLES
• HEIGHT - 85 FT
• STORIES- 5 SPRINKLERS
• AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS
THROUGHOUT ENTIRE BUILDING
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS - ZONING & CODES
PRIMARY STREET
• MARKET STREET
• MUST HAVE PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE
• AT LEAST 40% TRANSPARENCY AT STREET LEVEL
SIDE STREET
• SPEER BLVD
• AT LEAST 25% TRANSPARENCY AT STREET LEVEL
SETBACKS
• NO SETBACKS WHERE MY
BUILDING SITS ON THE SITE
PARKING
• MINIMUM OF 1 SPOT FOR EVERY 10 UNITS
• I WILL AIM FOR 40 PARKING SPOTS
• 2 ACCESSIBLE SPOTS & 1 VAN ACCESSIBLE SPOT
• I WILL ALSO AIM FOR 40 BIKE
PARKING SPOTS
DEAD END CORRIDORS
• SHALL NOT EXCEED 50 FT IN R-2 OCCUPANCY
MARKETST
EXIT DISCHARGE
• EXITS SHALL DISCHARGE DIRECTLY TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING AND TO THE PUBLIC WAY
• MUST BE AT GRADE OR PROVIDE DIRECT PATH OF EGRESS TO GRADE
• WIDTH SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN THE MINMUM WIDTH OF THE EXITS IT SERVES
SPEER BLVD
NUMBER OF EXITS PER STORY
• 1 - 500 OCCUPANTS ON THE STORY REQUIRES 2 EXITS FROM THE STORY
• DISTANCE BETWEEN EXITS SHOULD BE 1/2 THE TOTAL DIAGONAL SISTANCE BETWEEN THE EXITS
BULK PLANE DIAGRAM
BUILDING DESIGN PROCESS - CASE STUDIES
• GABLES ON SPEER IN DENVER
• STUDIO APARTMENT
• 525 SQFT
• RECTANGLE FOOR PLAN
• BATHROOM NEAR ENTRANCE PRIORITIZES SUNLIGHT IN LIVING SPACE
• HEAVY TIMBER CONSTRUCTION
• WALLS ALIGN WITH COLUMNS TO PREVENT EXPOSED COLUMNS INCONVENIENTLY IN THE
MIDDLE OF A ROOM
• SIMPLE CONSISTENT GRID
• PARQ ON SPEER IN DENVER
• 1 BED, 1 BATH
• 700 SQFT
• BALCONY
• PRIORITIZES SUNLIGHT IN LIVING SPACE
• SLIDING DOOR TO BEDROOM TAKES UP VERY LITTLE SPACE
• RETAIL FLOOR PLAN
• MULTIPLE DISPLAY OPTIONS
• WELL PLACED WINDOWS
• CHECKOUT COUNTER HAS CLEAR VIEWS OF ENTIRE STORE
• WELL PLACED STORAGE ROOM
• GABLES ON SPEER IN DENVER
• 2 BED, 2 BATH
• 983 SQFT
• RECTANGLE FLOOR PLAN
• TUCKS CLOSETS AND SHOWERS INTO THE MIDDLE
• EFFICIENT OPEN PLAN
• TREEHOUSE CO-LIVING APARTMENTS IN SOUTH KOREA
• COMMUNITY GATHERING & WORK SPACES
• INCORPORATE GREENERY & NATURAL LIGHT
• DIVERSITY OF PRIVATE TO PUBLIC SPACES
• ACCOMODATES ANIMALS
• PARQ ON SPEER IN DENVER
• SITE SHAPE + FORM PRECEDENT
• PATIO FOR RESIDENTS ABOVE MIXED USE OCCUPANCIES
• RESIDENT AMENITIES LOOK OUT TO THE PATIO
• EGRESS AT EACH POINT OF THE TRIANGLE
• SIMPLE L SHAPED CORRIDOR
• RESTAURANT PLAN
• DIVERSITY IN SEATING OPTIONS
• EFFICIENT USE OF SPACE
• SIMPLE & CLEAR PATHS
• WELL PLACED LOBBY
BUILDING DESIGN PROCESS - INITIAL MASSING
OBSERVATIONS
• 45 UNITS / 1.15 ACRES
• 7 SHOPS: APPX 1,000 SQFT EACH
• 1 RESTAURANT: APPX 7,000 SQFT
• 4 UNIT TYPES: STUDIOS, 1 BED / 1 BATH, OR 2 BED / 1 BATH
• 450 - 880 SQFT SPACES
MARKET STREET
GOALS
• USE CIRCULATION TO BLOCK SPEER
• VIEWS OF CHERRY CREEK FROM RESIDENT BALCONIES
• GET SUNLIGHT IN ALL APARTMENTS, SHOPS, RESTAURANT, AND CORRIDORS
• CREATE LARIMER FEEL ON MARKET
• MAXIMIZE OUTDOOR PATIOS
CHERRY CREEK
MARKET STREET
SPEER BLVD
BUILDING DESIGN PROCESS - INITIAL PROGRAMMING
PROS
• CIRCULATION BLOCKS SPEER
• RESIDENTS GET PRIVATE BALCONIES WITH VIEWS TO CHERRY CREEK OR MARKET
• SIMPLISTIC PLAN
• LOTS OF COMFORTABLE PATIO SPACES
• SETBACK FROM MARKET FOR FLOORS 2-5 IMPROVES
HUMAN SCALE ON MARKET
• SHOPS FACE MARKET WHICH HELPS CREATE LARIMER VIBE
• RESTAURANT PATIO TOWARDS CHERRY CREEK
CONS
• 3 EGRESS STAIRS NEEDED
• NOT MUCH AMENITY SPACE ON FLOORS 3-5
• MAIN PATIO ON 2ND FLOOR IS ORIENTED TOWARDS SPEER
A-2
OUTDOOR SPACE
B / M PRIVATE AMENITIES CIRCULATION
R-2: 750 - 880 SQFT
UTILITY / SERVICE
SPEER BLVD
CHERRY CREEK
DESIGN FRAMEWORK - STRATEGIES
GOAL 1
• CREATE A SUSTAINABLE BUILDING & SITE USING PASSIVE DESIGN STRATEGIES & ECOLOGICAL STRATEGIES TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
MARKETST
STEP 1: SET LIMITS
• ESTABLISH A BUILDING FOOTPRINT BASED ON
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS THAT FITS WITHIN SITE BOUNDARIES
GOAL 2
• MAXIMIZE OUTDOOR SPACES FOR THE PUBLIC & RESIDENTS
GOAL 3
• PRIORITIZE VIEWS AND CONNECTIONS TO CHERRY CREEK & MARKET STREET
STEP 2: DEFINE BOUNDARIES & CUT
• REDEFINE FOOTPRINT TO ALLOW FOR MORE CIRCULATION, SUNLIGHT, AND ECOLOGICAL SITE DEVELOPMENT
STEP 5: SET 2ND FLOOR LIMITS
• ESTABLISH 2ND FLOOR FOOTPRINT BASED ON
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS THAT FITS WITHIN 1ST
FLOOR BUILDING BOUNDARIES
STEP 6: DEFINE BOUNDARIES
• PRIORTIZE LARGE PATIOS FOR RESIDENTS
• OPTIMIZE SOUTHERN SUN IN THE WINTER
• PROVIDES SPACES FOR RELAXATION, RECREATION, & REVITALIZATION
GOAL 4
• PROVIDE SPACES TO FULFILL ALL DEMOGRAPHIC NEEDS
STEP 3: CREATE CONNECTIONS
• BY CUTTING INTO THE FOOTPRINT, THE BUILDING ALLOWS USERS TO CONNECT TO CHERRY CREEK
• A BUILDING SETBACK FROM MARKET STREET CREATES SPACE FOR PUBLIC GATHERINGS OR EVENTS LIKE LARIMER SQUARE
STEP 4: EXTRUDE
• FIRST FLOOR CONTAINS PUBLIC AMENITIES & COMFORTABLE OUTDOOR SPACES
STEP 7: EXTRUDE
• 2ND FLOOR CONTAINS AMENITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS
• INDOOR SPACES & OUTDOOR PATIOS
STEP 8: ADD APARTMENTS
• 3RD-5TH FLOORS BECOME HOME TO RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT UNITS WITH VIEWS TOWARDS CHERRY CREEK OR MARKET STREET
