Project Captain for Tres Birds Workshop

At the edge of one of Denver’s most active creative neighborhoods, the RiNo Arts District, this new construction building is part of a recently developed corridor that includes several restaurant and retail additions.

At the northwest corner of Larimer and Broadway, tres birds workshop was tasked with transforming the unusual triangle-shaped site into a building that would further contribute to the revitalization of the area. Starting from the ground up, Tres Birds designed and built the three tenant spaces that together make up the site. In addition to the building envelope, Tres Birds completed the interior build-out of each space.

The base of the building incorporates reclaimed bricks from several Denver demolitions and were hand painted to form a distinct color pattern. Instead of concealing steel support beams, Tres Birds reversed this order by placing the main frame on the exterior of the building. This allows for versatility of use in the instance of future tenant change, without disturbing the main structural components of the building. In addition, the exoskeleton design provides an opportunity for integration of a rooftop garden area for the main restaurant occupant and is prepared for use as a solar electric awning.

Along Larimer Street (southeast facing wall), large openings and a garage door/ wall system were created for year round connection to the outside. Aspect tuned glazing moderates the solar heat gain on each side of the building while allowing for a 100% day-lit structure.

Here, architecture was applied intentionally to produce new opportunities for local and visiting artists. tres birds workshop recognized the opportunity to integrate the building site into the existing art scape. Taking an experimental approach, tres birds workshop envisioned an outdoor mural system that would perpetuate continual rotation of new artwork, give artists the opportunity to create high caliber work in studio, and then allow the artwork to live on and be collected afterward. The steel exterior mainframe creates partitions where the outdoor artwork is framed and exhibited, merging the experience of viewing street and gallery art into one. In this system, artists are given a platform not for only creating, but for taking a larger stake and therefore, reward, in the sale if their artwork.

This project is one of hyper-local significance for Tres Birds, since our studio + workshop is located in the same neighborhood. Energy costs associated with transportation during the construction process were narrowed, as bicycle visits became routine. In addition, reclaimed 100-year-old wood that originated in another tres birds workshop project eight blocks away was utilized for the interior build-out of countertops, tables and benches of both the restaurant and bakery. We are proud to support our local economy and Tres Birds has become an instant, loyal patron of these businesses.