CREJ

Page 10 — Health Care & Senior Housing Quarterly — July 2021 www.crej.com HEALTH CARE — PROJECT SPOTLIGHT H ealth care nonprofits and advocacy groups have been tested in unimagi- nable ways over the past 18 months. Many small organi- zations strapped for resources and facing a flood of new needs have been pushed to the breaking point. The journey often can feel isolating for folks working at these organi- zations, even though many of the issues they are addressing are inter- connected. Recognizing the imperative to break down the silos that exist in the health and well-being sec- tor and create a more collabora- tive approach to advancing criti- cal health policy issues, Healthier Colorado, a non- partisan health policy-focused nonprofit, envi- sioned a first- of-its-kind 22,481-square-foot coworking space for fellow mem- bers of the health and well-being advocacy community. Aptly named Colorado’s Health Capitol, the new facility brings together a broad spectrum of health-focused organizations under one ide- ally located roof in downtown Denver. Tapping Denver- based interior design firm Elsy Studios, Healthier Colorado set out to create a shared office environ- ment that encour- ages engagement between nonprof- its and allows for a stronger, more holistic approach to developing solutions and advo- cating for policies that advance the health and well-being of Colora- dans. n Proximity matters. Location was the first consideration for the proj- ect. The goal was to centrally locate the office in an area with easy access by bike, bus or train, support- ing a variety of mobility needs of the nonprofits and their constitu- ents. The team landed on 303 E. 17th Ave., situated in one of Denver’s busiest and fastest-growing neigh- borhoods. Importantly, the location also puts health nonprofits closer to law- and policymakers at the Capitol build- ing, providing a convenient, cen- tralized location for civic leaders to meet with staffs from different non- profit groups. Health and well-being advocates are gaining their rightful place near the Capitol and are seen as a positive force for change among lawmakers and stakeholders. Inside the office, our design team further explored the benefits of proximity in the design of shared spaces. Studies over the years have shown improved collaboration in coworking spaces and those ben- efits are even more valuable for nonprofits. The design of the work environment thoughtfully supports a high level of engagement among the different organizations that office here, with a variety of casual touchdown spaces and more formal meeting areas. It’s easy to connect while making a latte at the coffee bar, eating lunch in the state-of- the-art eat-in kitchen or taking a break in the lounge. n Strength in numbers. The office was designed to accommodate up to 150 people with private offices, dedicated workstations and hot desks. As these organizations tend to operate with limited budgets and minimal staffing, the team saw this as an opportunity to create a true destination – a place these nonprof- its wanted to come and a place that empowered them to advance the mission of their respective organi- zations. The economies of scale offered by the new office allow for resources and amenities that simply wouldn’t be feasible for any one of these organizations to access on its own. Beyond the vibrant, engaging office design, amenities include multiple rooms outfitted with col- laboration technology, a podcasting Creating a new hub for health policy in Colorado Sam Ward Interior designer, Elsy Studios Carmen Schechinger Senior project manager, Elsy Studios Please see Ward, Page 13 Tavis Hawkes, Travis Hawkes Media, and Brett Stakelin Healthier Colorado, a nonpartisan health policy-focused nonprofit, created a cowork- ing space for fellow members of the health and well-being advocacy community called Colorado’s Health Capitol.