The Gates Family Foundation’s new office headquarters relocated to the historic Hover Building at 1390 Lawrence Street in the heart of Denver’s Central Business District. The addition and renovation met the challenge of preserving the rich historic nature of the building's exterior architecture while complying with the rigorous standards set to achieve a LEED Gold Commercial Interiors Certification. An integral part of the overall design is the art work and custom furniture commissioned by various local Colorado artisans which aligned with the Foundation’s mission goals.
The overall aesthetic of the new Gates Family Foundation office space embodies both the established reputation of the organization and the future goals of its members. A significant portion of the Foundation’s work involves support for conservation and natural resource stewardship in Colorado. The design radiates a timeless and respectful ambiance to their well-lit spaces. Muted earth tones, Navajo-inspired fabrics and rugs, exposed historic brick masonry walls, along with natural tweedy materials blend ‘rustic’ with ‘contemporary’.
A new penthouse level, including rooftop deck, stair and elevator was inserted between the confining dimensions of the historic timber structure. The interior stair made of steel supports, glass guardrails and walnut treads provides unprecedented rooftop access, while also acting as a sculptural but visually inconspicuous element. The clerestory windows at the penthouse level allow for additional daylighting into the office area below, and give life to a site specific art installation suspended above the stair landing.
All electrical and mechanical systems are concealed within the historic shell and new construction. This required special attention to every detail to achieve the LEED Gold standards required by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
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