Lamb Spring Archaeological Preserve is located approximately 40 miles southwest of Denver. This site is home to the discovery of dozens of Colombian Mammoth bones. Among these artifacts are those created by humans. This discovery has created much debate in the scientific community surrounding humankind’s timeline in this area.
Lamb Spring Interpretive Center is a conceptual design scheme for an interpretive center and laboratory for archaeologists, along with a temporary structure for the excavation site itself. Both structures speak to the temporal necessity of human-built intervention on this otherwise-untouched site. The site comes with panoramic view of the “hogback” of the Rocky Mountains, and the building orientation maximizes these views.
The interpretive center brings the visitor on a journey through time from the moment they exit their vehicle. A continuous concrete wall pulls the visitor into the center and spirals down into the “pit” which serves as the exhibit space. As they follow the wall down the ceremonial stairs, board-formed concrete textures change, echoing the changing levels of stratigraphy that exist as one descends deeper into the earth. The experience becomes a sensory one, engaging the sense of touch, smell, sound. After exploring inside the pit, the visitor is guided outside from the lower level, and reoriented toward the dig site, where they are invited to watch the archaeology in situ.
The science and administration wing serves as a rectilinear bracket of support for the experiential museum portion of the Interpretive Center. This wing has specific programmatic needs which require a more practical structure and layout. This leads to a simple, rectilinear form.
The outer arc of the museum houses the lecture room, exhibit shop, and ticketing/group meeting areas. Stadium stairs serve to welcome the visitor back into the building once they have returned from the dig site, inviting them in for a coffee and spectacular views.
The River Mile is a new, large-scale mixed use development at the intersection of the South Platte River, Cherry Creek, i-25 and Speer Boulevard. This neighborhood will merge sustainable design, riverfront living, inclusive housing, and high-density commercial and recreational spaces.
“The Intersection” at the River Mile is a conceptual master plan for a small portion of this development. The Intersection includes high-efficiency automated parking lifts, hidden from public view, maximized outdoor living and recreation areas, and a multi-functional balcony/performance platform on the 5th floor.
In his book The Medici Effect, Frans Johansson stresses the need for collaboration in order to generate new & better ideas.
The Intersection at the River Mile is a mixed-use development where different cultures, domains, and disciplines stream together. Johansson claims that “when these people connect, it allows for established concepts to clash and combine, ultimately forming a multitude of new, groundbreaking ideas.”
The site orients itself toward the water, which is the central driving force behind the entire project. The forms cascade toward the river, subtly driving circulation down in its direction while simultaneously providing overflow space for the occasional flood.
‘The Intersection’ goes beyond fulfilling affordable housing requirements, stiving to attract those from all economic backgrounds, breeding more innovative ideas, and ultimately contributing to a more prosperous city.
The possibilities are endless in this neighborhood, and the wide range of uses creates opportunities for serendipitous interactions between the diverse groups of people using these spaces. Regardless of whether you are a resident, a fisherman, a concert-goer or a first-time visitor to Colorado, the Intersection at River Mile serves as a space where ideas converge and innovation can thrive.
Located in the “Icebox of the Nation” - Fraser, CO, this mixed-use project consists of 12 studio apartments and a community building for art galleries with a rotating artist studio & apartment above. Tight lot constraints as well as zoning height restrictions led to the concept of an occupiable “green roof” with stadium seating, allowing for community events, concerts, etc. to occur in this space. The lot is located on the northern end of the Fraser River Corridor and therefore serves as both a gateway and a final destination for visitors & locals alike.
Sited on 14th & Wazee Street along Cherry Creek, this artist co-op & public plaza transforms the current parking lot into a common meeting space that literally links the two original towns of Auraria and Denver in one space. CurioWorx serves as a non-commital (i.e. free) creative breezeway that has the capacity to host anything from food trucks to concerts and live art demonstrations. Situated within the Lodo Historic District, the building evolves from a historically conforming face (Wazee side) into an open, current, and modern end that litterally decomposes into the street life on the Wewatta side. The building has many circulation options, leaving each passerby to chose their own route through the lot.
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Milky’s Way serves 5-star sandwiches, soups and other comfort foods. Before their food truck could blast off, Milky’s Way came to KRDS seeking help with branding and logo design. The energetic owners already had an idea in mind and just needed some help simplifying their design concept. Now, when their customers see that flying sandwich zoom by on the highway, they’ll know they aren’t far from a delicious, gourmet meal!
This bunk house renovation project was two-fold: Phase I focusing on the exterior and Phase II focusing on the interior. Phase I began with the clients’ request for a Historic Building Materials Assessment along with recommendations for maintenance & upkeep of the split-level brick building. Upon completion of the assessment, we began Phase 2 - renovating the interior to become a true “bunk house”.
