The new Freight development in Denver infuses a 29,000-sf, mid-century shipping terminal with the next evolution of TAXI creative work spaces. Flexible and filled with natural light, Freight is designed with unique and customizable spaces to suit the needs of modern businesses. Common spaces and amenities promote collaboration.
The goal of this transformation of a derelict freight terminal was to provide flexible tenant space with amenities such as common social spaces to lure “new economy” businesses to an abandoned industrial zone north of downtown Denver. The Denver warehouse redevelopment project, located between river and rail lines, is the most recent phase of a development that includes new and renovated structures that look to create a new workplace that uses architecture to foster interaction and create a culture of innovation.
The reuse preserves the carcass of the freight terminal, with its deep overhangs and garage bay openings, and inserts new elements to contrast old. Original paint and markings are left intact with new glass overhead doors that allow offices to open to the landscape. An internal skylit “street” and sculptural plywood ribbon wall punctuated with luminous entries provides internal circulation. The main entrance slices through the building, axially connecting the entry experience to the larger site and the urban skyline beyond.
Outside, an existing metal shed projecting north was re-imaged. The new portion of the building along the river took inspiration from the movement of rail and containers, and uses trusses from the traditional administrative component at the head of the terminal that had been razed. A ghosting of the former truck dock pattern extends as adjacent landscape pattern.
Tenant spaces were arranged from a kit of industrial components and materials included reused glass panels from a hockey rink as internal partitions, salvaged bowling alley floors for benches, tables and counters, and industrial shelves in a variety of configurations to conform to a challenging budget. “International Orange” enlivens structural components throughout.
Client: Zeppelin Places
Architect: Stephen Dynia Architects
Site area: 4 acres
Gross Floor area: 29,000 sf
Location: Denver
Photos: Ron Johnson
Related Stories
| Oct 28, 2013
Metal roofs are topping more urban dwellings
Given their durability and ease of use, metal roofs have been a common feature on rural houses for decades. Now they’re becoming an increasingly popular choice on urban dwellings as well.
| Oct 25, 2013
Hoffmann Architects announces launch of U.S. Capitol Dome restoration
The Architect of the Capitol will undertake comprehensive restoration of the 150-year-old cast iron Dome, which has not undergone a complete restoration since 1959-1960.
| Oct 23, 2013
AIA: Crowd-funding shows promise for financing real estate projects
The American Institute of Architects issued a statement on the SEC's recent 5-0 vote to propose rules aimed at letting startups tap large numbers of ordinary investors for small amounts of capital.
| Oct 23, 2013
Gehry, Foster join Battersea Power Station redevelopment
Norman Foster and Frank Gehry have been selected to design a retail section within the £8 billion redevelopment of Battersea Power Station in London.
| Oct 23, 2013
Some lesser-known benefits of metal buildings
While the durability of metal as a construction material is widely recognized, some of its other advantages are less commonly acknowledged and appreciated.
| Oct 23, 2013
Architecture Billings Index hits seven-month high in September
AIA's Architecture Billings Index was 54.3 in September, the highest level since February 2013
| Oct 18, 2013
Meet the winners of BD+C's $5,000 Vision U40 Competition
Fifteen teams competed last week in the first annual Vision U40 Competition at BD+C's Under 40 Leadership Summit in San Francisco. Here are the five winning teams, including the $3,000 grand prize honorees.
| Oct 18, 2013
A picture’s worth a thousand words… if you can find it
Photographs are becoming more essential to project communication and documentation. Recently, I sat in a local airport integration project meeting in which the owner outlined their expectation for construction documentation. One of the first requirements was to provide photographs throughout the building process.
| Oct 18, 2013
Researchers discover tension-fusing properties of metal
When a group of MIT researchers recently discovered that stress can cause metal alloy to fuse rather than break apart, they assumed it must be a mistake. It wasn't. The surprising finding could lead to self-healing materials that repair early damage before it has a chance to spread.
| Oct 18, 2013
Call for submissions: AIA Emerging Professionals Summit essays
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is seeking essays that will address what role architects will play in society in 2033.
