Page 24
— Retail Properties Quarterly — May 2016
ing a “place” out of a park-
ing lot, said Schmidt. Thus,
to create a walkable, bike-
able environment where
neighbors hang out, the
streetscape and landscaping
became especially important.
Nearly everything about
the site was “hard,” so plant-
ers were used to create a soft
buffer between people and
the hard surfaces. Spaces
between buildings also allow
the project to be more pedes-
trian friendly, while colorful
banners enliven the space.
Sympathetic development.
While a lot of retail develop-
ments have a limited focus
on the specific needs of the
surrounding community,
Hangar 2 was about fulfilling
the neighbors’ desires and
putting the residents first.
The designers refer to this as
“sympathetic development.”
Decisions about the site plan
layout (culturally, socially and
contextually), mix of uses,
look and feel of the buildings,
and the selection of restau-
rants are direct results of citi-
zen input.
Beyond Sustainability
The most important prec-
edents are the project’s
advancements in sustainabil-
ity. The immense roof hosts
the nation’s largest building-
integrated solar photovoltaic
installation on a historic land-
mark. As Denver’s first com-
munity-owned solar garden,
this 1,638-panel, 400-kilowatt
solar array was integrated
into the building’s curved roof
by community solar pioneer
Clean Energy Collective.
“We’ve turned this drafty
old hanger into a symbol of
Denver’s innovation in renew-
able energy and commitment
to sustainable design,” said
Hartman, who designed the
array to meet Denver’s Land-
mark Preservation Commis-
sion’s stringent requirements.
“It’s now a solar-powered,
energy-efficient landmark.”
As an Xcel Energy Solar
Rewards Community, the
Denver/Lowry Solar Array
serves 150 to 200 Xcel Energy
customers. The project also
uses 50 percent less energy
than a new building of the
same size through extensive
energy-efficiency strategies
like superinsulation, day-
lighting, natural ventilation,
motion-controlled lighting
and sophisticated HVAC sys-
tems. It also boasts Lowry’s
first electric vehicle charging
station (free to the public) and
hosts the Lowry Recycling
Center.
Results and Recognition
“Hangar 2 is a vessel,” said
Schmidt. “I’m delighted this
project has turned into such
an appreciated amenity – a
fun, local place to go with
your family, on foot, bike or
car. It fills a void.”
The Hangar opened to the
public in 2011, the Lowry
Beer Garden in 2013, and
the remaining restaurants
throughout 2015 and 2016 as
the project was recognized
with numerous accolades,
including the Mayor’s Design
Award in 2011, a community
preservation award in 2013
and the Urban Land Insti-
tute’s Innovation Award in
2015.
“We still don’t consider this
project complete – it’s a work
in progress,” said Hartman.
“We will continue to refine
the site over time.We’re try-
ing to create something that
gives Lowry a sense of iden-
tity. An epicenter. An icon.
Eventually, we want to get
to a place where people who
want a picture of something
that’s iconic about Lowry
will take a photo of Hangar
2.”
s
Hangar 2
Photo courtesy David Lauer Photography
Hangar 2’s industrial, modernist aesthetic was designed with cost-
effective materials to mirror the existing military Hangar.
SM
Call the West’s leading
CommeriCal inspeCtion
firm today.
1-800-248-1976
CommerCial
real estate
Due Diligence
Environmental Site Assessments
Property Condition Assessments
More than
85,000
inspections since 1975
colorado | Texas | california | Wyoming | arizona | nevada
