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
| Mar 14, 2012
Plans for San Francisco's tallest building revamped
The glassy white high-rise would be 60 stories and 1,070 feet tall with an entrance at First and Mission streets.
| Mar 14, 2012
Hyatt joins Thornton Tomasetti as VP in Chicago
A forensic specialist, Hyatt has more than 10 years of experience performing investigations of structural failures throughout the U.S.
| Mar 14, 2012
Tsoi/Kobus and Centerbrook to design Jackson Laboratory facility in Farmington, Conn.
Building will house research into personalized, gene-based cancer screening and treatment.
| Mar 13, 2012
China's high-speed building boom
A 30-story hotel in Changsha went up in two weeks. Some question the safety in that, but the builder defends its methods.
| Mar 13, 2012
Commercial glazer Harmon expanding into Texas
Company expanding into the Texas market with a new office in Dallas and a satellite facility in Austin.
| Mar 13, 2012
Worker office space to drop below 100-sf in five years
The average for all companies for square feet per worker in 2017 will be 151 sf, compared to 176 sf, and 225 sf in 2010.
| Mar 12, 2012
Improving the performance of existing commercial buildings: the chemistry of sustainable construction
Retrofitting our existing commercial buildings is one of the key steps to overcoming the economic and environmental challenges we face.
| Mar 9, 2012
2012 Giants 300 survey due Friday, April 13
See how your firm ranks among the AEC industry leaders.
