82
/ BUILDING DIALOGUE / MARCH 2016
now others are expanding on it. For example, the University of Colo-
rado School of Architecture and Planning has already held seminars
on the topic and the Urban Land Institute held a forum last fall. At
the city level, new discussions have begun on ways to make the zon-
ing code more pliable, and how to expand development guidelines to
accommodate deeper thought and innovation. Overall, there’s more
awareness now that density isn’t necessarily the problem – in fact, a
busy community can add to the vibrancy and walkability of an area,
if done well. In short, I think the opinion piece raised the issues, which
has in turn elevated the conversation.
Q: Do you believe, from a design and development perspective, that
Denver has missed opportunities over the years?
JS:
Every city wants to showcase its viability. I’m not sure we’ve achieved
it here. We're often more reactive than proactive; it seems we’re always try-
ing to catch up. Here are just two examples. Years ago, voters turned down
a visionary bond issue to build a high-speed train to the mountains. Think
of what our economy would be like today if that had been realized – what a
destination we’d be considered, if we had built it!
The second example is the issue of water and growth, which is growing
more critical here and throughout the West. I don’t see new developments
taking water into account. Like our lack of easy mountain access, the water
issue is going to be a tremendously expensive problem for us soon.
Q: So, in your opinion, what constitutes great design and how do you envision
Denver executing on that?
JS:
Design has been my lifelong passion. I’m always willing to think about it,
sketch it, research it. My hope is that we will always expect more and not be
satisfied with average. Passion is what drives us to discover unexpected solu-
tions that honor culture and human behavior. Besides serving our clients well,
raising the bar on design expectation in Denver has always been my goal and
Roth Sheppard’s goal.
Quality design is artistic, but it’s also a blend of science, research and an open
mind, balanced with a strong understanding of history, place and function.
Successful design is actually “anti-style.” It’s about how people live in and relate
to a space.
Thoughtful designers immerse themselves in the culture of each client and
the services or products they need. At Roth Sheppard, we do extensive research,
dig deeper and seek out connections and layers that can be brought into our
designs to make them more purposeful, powerful and relevant.
That said, I believe we would be making progress if more of Denver's new
buildings and spaces were designed in a way that they would portray a distinc-
tive identity. Spaces unique to our state would draw on the dynamic features
of our environment, like our incredible light and unique climate. For example,
if you visit Charleston or Santa Fe, their viability, energy and history strike you
immediately. Being there elicits a memorable response to and interest in the
buildings and the community around you.
Denver International Airport is a very good building in that respect. It’s rich-
ly layered with many metaphors that inspire images of history, travel, the prai-
rie, freedom. It’s membrane tent could only be located here, or at least works
best here. It’s memorable because it fits within our environment and would
never work in San Francisco, for example. That’s powerful design.
Q: What are some actions you would advocate for raising the bar on Denver’s
design environment?
JS
: I’m very much an advocate of “heart and soul planning,” which requires
getting to know a community and its people. We recently completed a project
in a small town. Before the design was conceived, we visited the church, held a
barbeque and learned the community's stories to capture a sense of neighbor-
hood and the area's history.
The design that emerged from that process doesn't duplicate existing build-
ings, it recalls them, so people feel a sense of comfort and familiarity even
if they don’t know exactly why. Today, the building we designed fits the site
and complements the setting, yet is fresh and new. As a result, it enhances
/ A Passion for a City and its Architecture /
Photos courtesy James
Florio Photography
PREVIOUS PAGE:
Sheppard's first restaurant,
Venanzio Momo’s Cucina Colore
in Cherry Creek (completed in
1993), was recently remodeled
and renovated by Roth Sheppard,
continuing a long tradition of
“timeless, not trendy” design.
FACING PAGE:
The Denver Art Museum's
new Administration Building,
surrounded by some of Denver’s
most iconic buildings with
budgets in the multimillions,
was completed by Roth Sheppard
in May 2014 for only $200 per
square foot.
Jeffrey Sheppard
