My name is Kaira Theisen and I am a Junior in Environmental Design at the University of Colorado Boulder. I am currently studying Architecture and pursuing a certificate in Lighting Design.
I have a deep interest in designing spaces that reinforce positive and continuous interactions to create connected and resilient communities.
SELECTED WORKS
Robin’s Nest
Apartment ARCH 3100
Professor: Mark Rukamathu
Collaborators: Owen Barton
Camber
Pedestrian Bridge ARCH 3100
Professor: Mark Rukamathu
01 ROBIN’S NEST
For our ARCH3100 studio, I collaborated with my classmate Owen Barton to enter the 2024 Denver Single Stair Housing Challenge. This competition was designed to create awareness ofnew opportunities that are unlocked when one staircase is removed. A growing body of research suggests that modern building materials and technologies diminishes the need for a second staircase in small lots. WIth the absence of double loaded corridors, single stair apartment buildings offer the opportunity for natural ventilation, larger units, and more natural light. Our goal of this project was to facilitate the nature of the single staircase to reinforce community through different forms and opportunities of interaction to create a ‘borderless community’. Our main features of the building are the nets and the large swinging door to facilitate horizontal and vertical connection between floors.
E. COLFAX
-Within the East Colfax neighborhood 1,529 crimes were reported in 2023
-Public-disorder, auto-theft, and assault were the three most commonly reported
Proposal
-Creating space to establish connection without having to move past 14th Street.
-Security in entry and exit
-Screening to provide privacy
3-BED UNITS
-This building is the only apartment that offers 3-bedroom units in a quarter mile radius.
-Half mile radius only 10 units offer 3-bedroom units
Proposal
-Six 3-bedroom units
-Two 4-bedroom
Multi-Generational units
-Two 2-bedroom units
-Two 3-Bed units are dedicated to affordable housing
14TH ST. EDGE
-Passed the 14th Street edge -12 crimes were reported within a half mile in the past 6 months
-These ranged from arson to serious assault
AMENITIES
-Over a half mile to the following:
-Art Museum
-Public Library
-Civic Center Park
1-BED UNITS
-Within a quarter mile radius there are 27 Apartment offering 1-bed/Studio units.
-Within a half mile radius there are an additional 109 buildings with 1-Bed/Studio units.
PUBLIC
-Nearest public park half mile away
-Offering only open space, no play equipment
-Commute next to busy road
Proposal
-Incorporating “play” into the physical building.
-Providing option to play in equipment or use open space
-Safety in transit
LOCAL CONTEXT
SITE CONTEXT
SAFETY
Safety has become a major concern for emerging housing in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The frequent crime only increases as one moves north. There is a clear edge that has established itself as the barrier between living experiences. Past this edge, East Colfax stands as a hot-spot for crime and loitering. As this neighborhood changes, there has to be a solution to ensure residents can feel safe at any time of day in any part of there surroundings.
COMMUNITY
Community is built through interaction and care between people. It does not happen organically, usually there has to be a sense of place to facilitate such interaction. The neighborhood within our site not only lacks a sense of place, but also key amenities that could bring people together. Children are forced to play near dangerous streets/areas, families need to walk over a half mile for enrichment, and more so there are no spaces to gather and converse.
MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING
Three-bedroom apartment units are becoming more and more sparse. With this typology thinning, options for families to find affordable housing that suits there needs diminishes. This includes the prospectors of Multi-Genrational living; the family style of extended family living with the immediate family. Denver as an emerging metropolis needs to provide a diverse set of options for the plethora of family dynamics that exist.
LIVING EXPERIENCE
MULTIGENERATIONAL LIVING
Multi-Generational living allows for the opportunity of familial style living while keeping privacy. Our 4 Bedroom Units offer a full separate wing with a primary bedroom and bath, as well as a small kitchen and living room. Living situations are not always cut and copy, so why should apartment units be? By providing more diverse options of units we can hope to achieve a stronger sense of place to enhance community living.
A BORDERLESS COMMUNITY
During our research for this project, we came across the term ‘borderless community’ where the traditional definition of space is broken and there is some Ambiguity between public and private space. The large doors and nets are reiterated throughout the building’s core to serve as access points for the residents to mingle with one another. These additions break the traditional border that currently closes off neighbors from one another and allows them to effortlessly stay more connected. The single stair also works as a core facilitator to increase interaction among residents to foster a close community.
MULTI-GEN WING
FLOOR PLANS
OVERALL BUILDING
6 Stories
10 Units (15 with Multi-gen Wing)
5 Three-Bed Units
2 Two-Bed Units
GROUND
Amenities:
Community
Kitchen
Play Room
Mail
Laundry
Bike Storage
Outdoor Seating
FLOOR 6
Units:
3 Bed Multi Gen
3 Bed Units:
FLOOR 3 & 5
2 Bed Multi Gen
3 Bed Units:
FLOOR 2 & 4
4 Bed Multi Gen
3 Bed
MATERIALS AND FORM
MATERIALS
The main structure is constructed of renewable mass timber to reduce waste and carbon emissions. The brick facing pays homage to and reflects the area’s character. The combination of mass timber technology and the brick facade aims to blend the old with new to represent our ever-changing built environment.
SUSTAINABILITY
Robin’s Nest features mass timber framing, a renewable and low-carbon alternative to traditional construction materials. This framing technique reduces the structure’s carbon footprint and also increases the fire safety rating. Recycled brick is incorporated throughout the outer facade, promoting resource efficiency and local materials. Robin’s Nest is also equipped with a comprehensive solar panel system, generating clean, renewable energy to power the community.
HISTORY OF DENVER’S BRICK BUILDINGS
The City of Denver is founded in the wake of the Colorado gold rush.
02 camber
v. to curve upward in the middle
On the same block as Robin’s Nest, there’s a pedestrian bridge that spans across 13th Ave. Currently, the bridge is locked to public use due to problems with people loitering on the bridge and it is only opened briefly to allow students from the nearby school to cross over to the park or walk home. Camber seeks to serve a greater purpose to the community-Camber physically ‘reaches down’ to integrate the nearby park and school lot tocreate a space for people gather, rest, and cross safely.
EAST ELEVATION
FORMATION
BRIDGE BASE
EXISTING TREES
EXISTING MURALS
CARVE OUT AREA FOR TREES
RAILINGS AND ARCHES TO GIVE BRIDGE MOVEMENT
ADDED LEISURELY GREENSPACE
GARDEN
Currently, the Capitol Hill area south of Colfax experiences a lack of parks and greenspaces. Camber effortlessly integrates biophilic elements such as wood and native plantings to create a restful and rejuvenating space.
EXPERIENCE
Camber’s Gentle slope allows users to easily cross the street and access the park from the sidewalk. The steps extend down to accommodate seating for the park and the Middle School (located Northwest of the bridge).
