Corporate environments often capture the urban spirit of their locales but lack warmth and a connection to nature. For Steel House, a new commercial development in Denver, Colorado, that boasts ground-floor retail and seven stories of office space, Morris Adjmi Architects created a hub with machine-made styling that also celebrates the Mile High City’s natural surroundings.
Located in the River North (RiNo) Arts District, a sector favored by creatives, the building’s form and detailing references the warehouse typologies that once defined the area. “We were drawing on a mixture of the Denver lifestyle and the neighborhood’s past, embracing its industrial character and nature at the same time,” says Morris Adjmi, founder and principal of his eponymous firm.
The primary facade is clad in C-channel metal panels in charcoal and silver tones, in an expression of verticality and rhythm. A tower at the southwest corner marks the building’s entrance. This steel-framed structure serves as a striking sculptural element and a visual anchor, both from the street and the adjacent rail corridor.
Interiors reflect the same language as the architecture, but with added warmth via materials and biophilic elements. Tenants and visitors are welcomed into the double-height lobby that was designed as a reception area and gathering space. A cleft-stone front desk and textured brick flooring are reminiscent of a hospitality setting. The open office floors allow occupants to tailor their environments for maximum flexibility.
The wellness-focused lifestyle of the city’s residents is key, with 10,000-square-feet of amenities on offer. An indoor sports court, climbing wall, and yoga studio are ideal for individuals who want to stay active during the day. Commuters can also store their cycles in a bike room with repair stations.
A seamless flow from interior to exterior invites connection with people and nature. On the sixth floor, a 13,000-square-foot communal terrace functions as an outdoor living room—complete with views of downtown and the Rocky Mountains. Lounge areas, grills, and dining spaces are utilized for a range of events, from casual lunches to evening parties.
Steel House is a place that defies typical notions of these types of buildings by revealing character, not fabricating it. “A lot of times an industrial aesthetic feels contrived, but here, because of the way the building was sculpted, and these indoor and outdoor spaces meld, it feels like a real artifact—a good place to live and work—as opposed to something that was just layered on top of it,” Adjmi notes.
To see learn more about Steel house, or see other works by the architect, visit ma.com.
Photography courtesy of Chase Daniel.
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