Every architect wonders from time to time, “how long will my building survive?” We want the buildings to at least outlive their creator.
There are examples the world over of buildings that have not only outlived their creators, but the entire civilizations.
We design buildings that, we hope, will stand the test of time. Often, clients want a “timeless” building, a “classic” design. This can be a vague description, but what they ultimately mean is, “I don’t want people to point and say, ‘that building was built in 1978 and it shows, what were they thinking?’.”
We also detail our buildings with care and attention, always to keep the water out. Knowing, of course, that water from the sky doesn’t always fall straight down. Details that, when built properly, will last for decades without much maintenance.
What architects don’t necessarily consider is the economic serviceability of a building. How long will a building live in usefulness? When will it be torn down to be replaced by something bigger and better?
Consider the photo study of retail properties by photographer Brian Ulrich entitled “Not If, But When.” There are some eerie photos of shopping malls that have died a slow death and are left to decay, unattended. This was certainly not the intent of the architect. But, the architect cannot control the economy and what finicky shoppers want.
And, should an architect mourn the death of his progeny?
1111 Tower LLC
The $350 million Four Seasons hotel and condo project under construction in downtown Denver has reached its full 45-story height, and its developers commemorated the milestone with a ceremony Thursday morning. The 75-foot mast, which tops the structure was lifted into place.
The Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences, located at 14th and Arapahoe Streets, will include 230 hotel rooms and 102 condos priced at $800,000 to $10 million for a penthouse. It is the Denver area’s first Four Seasons property.
Carney Architects, a Jackson, Wyoming based firm, designed the building and HKS, Inc is the architect of record.
Construction on the Four Seasons started in September 2007 and is expected to be completed in early next year.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Denver chapter, recognized its 2009 architectural design, honor and president’s awards recipients during a ceremony on Sept. 11, at The Pepsi Center.
The following architectural design awards were selected from 66 entries submitted by members of AIA Denver and judged by a jury of architects and design experts from New York. These were presented by AIA Denver Design Awards Jury Chair Bruce Fowle, FAIA, of FXFOWLE Architects (New York).
In the Built Projects-Architecture category, Bothwell Davis George Architects of Denver along with Lake Flato Architects of San Antonio won an Honor award for the Armstrong Oil and Gas project in Denver (right).
Also in the Built Projects-Architecture category Anderson Mason Dale Architects of Denver along with Antoine Predock Architect of Albuquerque took home an Honor award for the Edith Kinney Gaylord Cornerstone Arts Center in Colorado Springs (below).
4240 Architecture of Denver won an Honor award for their studio and the Denver office of Gensler also took home an Honor award in the Built Projects-Interiors category for the WPP CO-Location project in Denver.
Congratulations to the winners… Merit award winning projects will be posted as well in the coming week.
Branding. Usually it’s thought of as a marketing scheme, something you see on TV or in a magazine. But branding goes beyond advertising. Good branding will extend into all facets of a company or group to establish consistency in expectation or experience of their customers
Architecture can be influenced a company’s branding or product, sometimes to an extreme. You’ve probably seen the Longaberger Basket office building in Newark, Ohio. The hot dog shaped Coney Island building on US-285 in Conifer, Colorado is a landmark in the state.
Architecture can certainly influence a company’s brand as well. Take the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver. If you visit their website, you will see a short animation load that shows the building’s 14th Street facade, complete with the big blue bear. They are proud of their building, and should be.
What caught my attention on the website was the branding that the Colorado Convention Center has created, all based on the design of the facility. Fentress Architects designed the structure after voters approved funding for the project in 1999. The striking roof lines are bold and immediately recognizable from numerous vantage points throughout the city.
The Colorado Convention Center has incorporated the sweeping roof lines into their logo. The result is a simple form that suggests a modern, forward thinking group. The website plays on the design as well. The fresh colors and angled graphics, again, emphasize the roof lines and reinforce the logo.
Architecture is often completed in a vacuum, without much relation to an established corporate identity. But, there are those times when a building creates the identity.
I have officially opened David P Goode Architecture for business!
After 22 years of being an employee of other architects, I have opened my new firm and I am in complete charge of my future. This is kind of scary…but it is really exciting! It’s a very liberating feeling to know that success and reward is directly tied to my efforts.
Some people have called me crazy for voluntarily leaving a company to do this during the worst economy in 70 years. Others think its a brilliant move and timing, and I’ll ride the country’s economic recovery into prosperity. The client response has been overwhelmingly positive, which, I suppose, bodes well for the bank account. But there’s more to it…
The underlying fundamental reason for launching my own firm is this: there is a better way.
I certainly have goals to grow my business to a handful or so of employees. But, one thing I want to hold on to is being involved in every project. Too often, principals sell a project to a client and then turn it over to junior staff, never to be seen by the client again. The client is not buying the junior staff, they are buying the principal and his reputation.
Design can be great within the confines of a budget and a jurisdiction zoning ordinance. I believe there is more challenge in creating worthwhile architecture within boundaries than without. I believe the most skilled architects are those who truly understand the building process and don’t just create a pretty picture.
Regardless of whether a project is a simple warehouse or an icon in a skyline, the project and client deserve the architect’s full attention and effort. There are too many projects that tend to float to the back of the drawing board and do not get the proper attention they deserve.
There is a better way for architects to service clients. There is a better way to produce construction documents. There is a better way to communicate. There is a better way to manage projects.
Success lies in these simple beliefs….not on the cover of a magazine.
The US Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that Denver’s Union Station is set to receive over $18 million for redevelopment of the city’s historic landmark.
RTD
The redevelopment of Union Station is a key component of the Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) plans for FasTracks. The facility will serve as a hub for light rail, buses, shuttles, and possibly future heavy commuter rail.
“By reinvesting in our nation’s transit infrastructure, we are making our communities more livable, invigorating the local economy, and putting America back to work,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Wednesday.
The total cost for redevelopment of the transit facility is estimated at nearly $480 million and will be paid for by a variety of sources, including Federal money. The $18 million comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes $8.4 billion for transit improvements.
An 1894 fire destroyed the central portion of the orginal 1881 station. The replacement building was designed by VanBrundt and Howe. In 1914, the current center portion was designed by Denver architects Gove & Walsh in the Beaux-Arts style.
Union Station has reclaimed its primary purpose as a central hub for transportion.
The newest location of Tony’s Market is set to open this week in the Golden Triangle. With a storefront on Broadway and the surrounding clientele, this location promises to be successful.
The store will include a larger cafe space than other locations in an effort to capture the coffee and lunch crowd. The interior finishes are not overstated and will surely provide for a pleasant shopping experience.
MCG Architecture provided the working drawings with longtime store planner and designer for Tony’s, Stanley Brown, AIA. The Rosacci’s are a pleasure to work with and MCG is proud to have been part of the team.
In the past week, LEGO and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation announced an agreement to create sets for two of Wright’s most famous buildings. Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum will be released in the near future.
LEGO Celebrates Wright
I spent many hours of my childhood playing and building with LEGO blocks and I believe they had a direct influence in my chosen profession. Of course, I will need to purchase these as soon as possible and get to work building them. I can’t wait to see the “construction documents.”
It looks as though LEGO is going to venture into an Architecture series and provide more buildings to play with. More on that as it comes from LEGO…
Perhaps the new mark of being a successful, famous architect is having one of your buildings in a LEGO set?
Over the last five months, we have been working with neighbors and business owners to master plan the redevelopment of an area in Arvada, Colorado known as Ralston Fields. Arvada Urban Renewal Authority heads up the project and commissioned my firm to help out with the Triangle Area.
The area is a grouping of three tired strip retail centers at the intersection of 58th Avenue and Ralston Road, and they are in serious need of revitalization. There are several empty storefronts and buildings, as well as a mix of non-retail tenants.
In order to tap into the community mood, we formed an advisory committee which consisted of residents, business owners, and key city administrators. We had monthly meetings to discuss the issues with the current development area and possible solutions. The advisory committee led the design process and provided guidance to the design team.
Our goal was to re-allocate densities and incorporate other uses, such as multi-family residential, to bring more vibrance and life to the neighborhood. One retail center will receive a facelift, another will be completely demolished and replaced with better performing retail. The third strip center will be completely demolished and replaced with more urban and dense mix of uses.
Ralston Fields Master Plan Concept
We presented our master plan to the public Tuesday and it was well received. Approximately 100 people came through to aske questions and provide feedback. Overall, we feel we’ve presented something the community will love.
Our next step is to prepare the Overall Development Plan for further public review and approval. As the economy recovers, the Ralston Fields area will be ready for redevelopment with a well thought out plan for the future.
Thanks to the advisory committee and to AURA for being a part of this great project and providing us an opportunity to assist you!
We recently completed our 14th financial institution project in Colorado and the client had their open house this week. International Bank, located at Eagles Nest in Aurora, CO has opened to serve their customers.
The building features a two-story lobby space where nearly all the offices have a view to the customer areas, enhancing the personal commitment to the client. A comfortable lounge area, with large fireplace and television, invites customers to come in, relax or get some work done, and enjoy a cup of coffee. The full basement will be a future home to community meeting rooms and bank storage. The second floor board room features windows to 12 feet high with inspirational views from Pikes Peak to Mt. Evans.
International Bank - Aurora, CO
The exterior of the building was inspired by the Eagles Nest development and its sweeping roof forms and trellises. The use of natural and synthetic stone provides human scale elements and detail.
This project was very rewarding because it wasn’t a chain-bank typical location. Not only was the client a pleasure to work with, the general contractor, GTC, did a great job executing the build out.
