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80 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / December 2020 tive landscaping dominating public spaces, and the ongoing pursuit of natural light. As Denver’s housing prices continued to rise, it be- came clear that there was an available niche in the market for affordable market-rate apartments differ- entiated by contemporary, human-centered design. Dynia Architects designed Kabin in conjunction with Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture with many of the signature features Zeppelin is known for along with Nordic touches and seamless indoor-to-outdoor liv- ing. Part of what makes Kabin economical is that it’s able to take advantage of the myriad next-level ame- nities already in place at the campus. Rather than just checking the box with a mediocre pool and fitness center constructed within the building it- self, Kabin residents can utilize Taxi’s famous ship- ping-container pool (two 40-foot shipping containers welded end to end), its large, modern fitness center, Lost City café and bar, Comal heritage food incubator and restaurant, OpenAir early childhood education center, Goldie x Bob hair salon, dog parks, commu- nity gardens and more. On-site programming is an- other draw including weekly DJs at the pool and the pay-what-you-can farmer’s market at Lost City every Wednesday. Kabin consists primarily of one-bedroom apart- ments and a handful of two-bedroom units. The stan- dard apartments are 400 square feet with the bedroom separated from the living space and kitchen by the bathroom core, its exterior wrapped in cedar to bring warmth to the space. Each apartment is also furnished with a washer and dryer, and ground-floor units haves walkout patios. The building is four stories tall and, given its location adjacent to railroad tracks and the river, offers unencumbered views of the mountains or the skyline from the top three floors. There are exteri- or planters on every level, allowing vertical landscap- ing to provide a green counterpoint to the rippling, black corrugated metal panels. Taxi proved the model early on. People want to be work and live surrounded by the natural environ- ment. Office and residential buildings can bring a bit of peace and art to people’s lives by the quality of their design. Rather than simply providing shelter, they can be places of inspiration. The pandemic has served to magnify these dynamics. Times of isolation and stress call for homes that afford comfort and in- vite introspection. Thoughtful architecture can be a wonderful facilitator to these ends, and when paired with efficient layouts and shared amenities, housing can be economical and ultimately accessible to ser- vice-industry workers, creatives and entrepreneurs. With 110 units leased just six weeks after opening, Kabin is demonstrating the need for high-design, down-to-earth living in Denver.\\ / Kabin / OPENING ART TOP: Ground-floor units haves walkout patios that feature Zeppelin's trademark garage doors. OPENING ART BOTTOM: The bedroom is separated from the living space and kitchen by the bathroom core. THIS PAGE: Kabin satisfies the available niche for market-rate affordable housing with human-centered design. PHOTOS: Stephan Werk