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/ BUILDING DIALOGUE / MARCH 2016
Publisher’s Note
W
hile “a forcible overthrow of social order “ is extreme, there is no denying that evo-
lution is a constant these days.
Not only are workplaces evolving from the “Mad Men” era into 21st century design,
but so are other “spaces” in which we live (micro-housing), eat (food halls) exercise
(think Orange Theory) and, one day soon, even commute (the driverless car).
Some changes are profound while others are more cosmetic, but they all add up to improving
the human experience. A new color palette is on tap this year to help renew and redefine your
space; lobbies evolve into the “third workspace”; and water reuse is evolving into greywater reuse.
Columnists this month reflect on evolution as well. Joy Spatz captures Former Denver Mayor
Federico Peña’s enthusiasm for growing Denver and setting the stage for today’s successes. Beth
Mosenthal makes a case for moving beyond ADA compliance and actually designing with a new
focus on the language of accessibility. And Jenny West sheds light on new considerations for the
design of higher education facilities.
Other highlights include the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, which
had a face-lift just in time for its 10th anniversary; CDOT tackled its first build-to-suit office project
in more than 30 years; OZ Architecture shared its creativity in its new RiNo home with an 8-foot
graphic mural; the International Association of Fire Fighters Memorial in Colorado Springs was
rebuilt; and DIA unveiled its Westin hotel and conference center. In addition, we’re launching Best
Practices content, this time looking at proactive design.
Features in this issue range frombreathing new life into the old Bindery on Blake to the comple-
tion of the newWencel Building in Boulder – fitting into the neighborhood while speaking to the
tenant experience – to implementing a new, homegrown technique for construction of the Hyatt
House Belmar. Finally, architect Jeffrey Sheppard shares his passion for Denver and its architecture
– and offers ways design could evolve.
Speaking of evolution, check out the mother ship’s new and improved website:
.
We’re listening, so keep this dialogue going!
Kris Oppermann Stern
Publisher & Editor
ev·o·lu·tion
noun/eve’lōōSH(e)n/
the gradual development of something, especially
from a simple to a more complex form.
rev·o·lu·tion
noun/reve’looSH(e)n/
a forcible overthrow of a government or social
order in favor of a new system.
