CREJ - Building Dialogue - December 2016
We are Love We are One We are how we treat each other when the day is done. We are Peace We are War We are how we treat each other and nothing more. These lyrics by The Alternate Routes resonate at this time – not only in light of the recent tumultuous political season, but also when we consider design. Design of community spaces. Design of neighborhoods. Design of hospitals. Design period. So as you read through the articles in our December issue, you may notice a common thread among some: Our individual decisions have communal impact. Denver needs a new vision with a focus on neighborhoods, so says guest columnist Jeffrey Sheppard. According to our newest columnist, Andre LH Baros, as Denver grows and prospers, design decisions must consider the context of a civil society. Also, Julie Lougee shares Haselden’s passion for building schools in rural communities, schools that require our thoughtfulness. Rounding out the theme of community, Carol Henry shares Design Concepts’ participation in the evolution of humanizing Colorado schoolyards. Other articles in this issue focus on health care design, school renovation, creating lasting places, building healthy streets into community design and more. Designer Approved returns with more workplace inspiration while Inside & Out(side) features recently completed Westminster Station and Room & Board projects. Features this quarter include how Elements is helping businesses create ideal workplaces, how Colorado is beginning to see the development of cross-laminated timber projects, a Parksmart garage going up in Westminster and how a newly designed Aspen project is able to respect the craftsmanship of the past. Projects highlighted in this issue include Colorado Center III, Dairy Block and Union Tower West, while we also highlight the diversity and success of design firm Johnson Nathan Strohe. Designing for the betterment of our community – how we treat each other even in this process should matter. Let’s keep the dialogue going. Kris Oppermann Stern Publisher & Editor kostern@crej.com