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H ospitality brands are continually seek-
ing innovative methods to differentiate
their latest product offering for their
newest target markets. This requires a fresh
awareness of the project’s unique brand, vision,
site and prospective guests. A responsive design
approach creates iconic solutions, and provides
the necessary awareness by fusing the site’s his-
toric or contemporary context with the local ex-
perience, creating ultra-personalized, engaging
environments that yield social, human interaction.
A rediscovery of an existing building’s history,
and the incorporation of its original character and
design details, is often a responsive launch point
for the entire hospitality concept. The past becomes
juxtaposed with new materials, lighting and tech-
nologies. Years of remodeling and reconfiguration
can be removed to expose the alluring context of
the original spaces, or select components may be
retained and incorporated into an unexpected
combination of new and old.
It is vital that aesthetic design decisions work
synergistically with location and community con-
text. Guests today are seeking ultimate versatility in
materials, coloration, tactile elements and spatial
configuration options. The communal aspect of de-
sign is essential, and design solutions must offer a
range of connectivity points and be responsive and
adaptable for all types of social interaction. Archi-
tects and designers bear a responsibility to place-
making and must design environments that facili-
tate impromptu gatherings in the public spaces of
the hotel.
Showcasing our responsive design philosophy
and virtual reality technology, we recently devel-
oped a conceptual boutique hotel project for the
historic First Avenue Hotel (El Diablo) Building, cen-
trally located in the South Broadway neighborhood,
often referred to as SoBro. South Broadway adjoins
several neighborhoods (Washington Park, Golden
Triangle, Santa Fe Blvd, etc.) and includes a diverse
offering of stores, galleries, eateries, and taverns.
Broadway Street functions as an active main trans-
portation corridor to Denver, connecting downtown
to the south. First Avenue and Broadway is an ide-
al location to draw visitors into a different part of
Denver, outside of downtown, for a uniquely local
experience, while also offering a connecting point
for the surrounding neighborhoods.
Revitalized, connected and edgy, the design concept
honors the original character of the 1907 hotel struc-
ture while simultaneously capturing the energetic
Bryan Hamlin
Partner and
Chief Design
Officer,
WorthGroup
Architects
& Designers
ELEMENTS Hospitality Design