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/ BUILDING DIALOGUE / MARCH 2016
and simultaneously become a jewel in everyone’s portfolio –
certainly quite a bit more than a simple risk-reward equation.
It was from these overlapping orders that the building’s form
began to assume new meaning and, almost organically, the
design turned unexpectedly inward sufficiently solving the
challenges while simultaneously embracing contextual driv-
ers well beyond the obvious.
“The centerpiece of the design is an internal courtyard,” im-
parts Studio Architecture’s Director of Design Aldo Sebben.
“An open spine weaves its way through the entire program
and becomes a dynamic informer of all other spaces.” Bisect-
ing the building horizontally, the courtyard is a multilevel
ensemble of interstitial spaces linked together by a series of
staircases, mezzanines, pass-throughs, and overlooking terrac-
es that serve a variety of purposes. Beyond merely affording
building occupants access to exterior space, the courtyard
also allows daylight to penetrate the building’s internal offic-
es; creates an inviting public gathering space; and celebrates
Boulder’s history of through-block connections that blur the
line between private and public use. With the overall design
focused on the internal courtyard, the creation of a lively an-
imated space will be a critical contributor to the site’s long-
term success. Sebben has strategically inserted a motion-ac-
tivated interactive lighting display that will respond to the
footfalls of stair-users, illuminating with each step taken as
they pass through.
A hidden treasure in more ways than one, by introducing
the below-grade courtyard space into the design, the devel-
opment team also was able to realize an increase in leasable
square footage in a surprising way. Taking advantage of a
provision in Boulder’s DT5 zoning codes, below-grade square
footage isn’t counted against the Floor Area Ratio zoning re-
quirements, which stipulates the ratio of gross square footage
to developed land area. Wingert estimates that by inserting
the courtyard space into what would have been the basement
of the building, the property is able to achieve a 15 percent
increase in overall leasable square footage. With these spac-
es benefiting from the infusion of daylight and animation
afforded by the courtyard, W.W. Reynolds will still be able to
secure desirable lease rates despite the offices being physical-
ly underground.
With the courtyard driving the building’s practical organi-
zation, Studio Architecture was quite deliberate in its efforts
to respect the surrounding context and in doing so greatly
facilitated the ease of the navigation within the city’s permit-
ting process.
“We worked toward developing an uncomplicated exteri-
or that would illustrate a warm, natural embrace of histor-
ic Boulder,” shares Dawson. The primary design incorporates
classic red-brickmasonry forms common to Boulder’s historic
past, detailed by beige lintels, sills and parapets. AlongWalnut
Street the traditional treatments are deliberately partitioned
by the modern intervention serving as the primary entrance
while also being an enticing precursor to the open spine.
Here the exterior is abundant glazing, metal panels, and terra
cotta block referential in color and texture to the city’s munic-
ipal offices just a few blocks beyond. Through very deliberate
placement, the entrance to the ground-level mezzanine pas-
sage overlooking the courtyard also frames the once-hidden
carriage house – a subtle rejoice of the relic’s having survived
more than a century of surrounding development.
Dawson and Sebben also note that W.W. Reynolds has been
instrumental in developing a whole host of properties along
Canyon and Walnut, and throughout Boulder. “Their experi-
ence working with the city on so many successful develop-
ments has really beenabout embracing the designguidelines,”
says Sebben. “Following their lead, we were able to develop a
contemporary, nonargumentative vernacular in this building
that responds favorably on all four sides and results in the
kind of architecture the people of Boulder naturally expect.”
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/ Boulder By Nature /
The public plaza that Studio Architecture created below the bridge while under construction.
