CACTUS
Provided: Architecture + General Contracting
Location: Denver, CO
Completed: August 2011
This 1905 mercantile building was once the terminus of the Grand Moffat Railway. Cactus, a Denver native ad agency acquired the structure in a most inefficient state, where employees felt closed in, layers of history packed into the walls, with limited access to light and air, as well as a disconnected flow between neighboring departments. They needed an upgrade, where employees felt inspired to produce their best creative work.
Addressing the first priority of light and openness, the building was stripped down to its component pieces of brick, wood and steel. Introduced materials were limited to steel, glass, and reclaimed maple wood. Through the creation of a large central atrium, made of maple floors from old railroad boxcars, sunlight now reaches all occupants and floor levels, including the rubble basement, previously regarded as a dungeonous area to be avoided. Now it is home to a day lit kitchen and place for project-based meeting rooms. Incorporating the building into the history of it’s neighborhood and giving a nod to the historic building itself, the exterior was fit with armature made from old railroad tracks, which will become heavily vegetated over time. Not only does this add a pleasing natural aesthetic, the vegetation will further contribute to sun shading and the energy efficiency of the building. In this system, the main source of temperature control is via the roof, which is heavily insulated to adapt to heat and cold conditions, providing optimal comfort to building inhabitants. Throughout the building, all systems were modified into what is now a highly efficient, well-lit incubator for some of Denver's finest creative professionals.
Client Feedback
Norm Sherer / Partner & Creative Director / Cactus
“We considered many great architectural firms, but ultimately what sold us on tres birds workshop was their space planning approach and willingness to spend time observing workflow patterns upfront. Mike knew how to do some pretty resourceful things with our budget. His [Moore’s] vision was spot on with our vision. The staff is very happy in their new space. It’s inspiring.”
Mike Lee / PR & Social Media Director / Cactus
“The building is truly built for the way we work. Its functional and free-flow nature fosters creativity, which is integral to the work we do as a full-service advertising agency.”
Photography: Brooks Freehill / Mike Moore
Location: Denver, CO
Completed: August 2011
This 1905 mercantile building was once the terminus of the Grand Moffat Railway. Cactus, a Denver native ad agency acquired the structure in a most inefficient state, where employees felt closed in, layers of history packed into the walls, with limited access to light and air, as well as a disconnected flow between neighboring departments. They needed an upgrade, where employees felt inspired to produce their best creative work.
Addressing the first priority of light and openness, the building was stripped down to its component pieces of brick, wood and steel. Introduced materials were limited to steel, glass, and reclaimed maple wood. Through the creation of a large central atrium, made of maple floors from old railroad boxcars, sunlight now reaches all occupants and floor levels, including the rubble basement, previously regarded as a dungeonous area to be avoided. Now it is home to a day lit kitchen and place for project-based meeting rooms. Incorporating the building into the history of it’s neighborhood and giving a nod to the historic building itself, the exterior was fit with armature made from old railroad tracks, which will become heavily vegetated over time. Not only does this add a pleasing natural aesthetic, the vegetation will further contribute to sun shading and the energy efficiency of the building. In this system, the main source of temperature control is via the roof, which is heavily insulated to adapt to heat and cold conditions, providing optimal comfort to building inhabitants. Throughout the building, all systems were modified into what is now a highly efficient, well-lit incubator for some of Denver's finest creative professionals.
Client Feedback
Norm Sherer / Partner & Creative Director / Cactus
“We considered many great architectural firms, but ultimately what sold us on tres birds workshop was their space planning approach and willingness to spend time observing workflow patterns upfront. Mike knew how to do some pretty resourceful things with our budget. His [Moore’s] vision was spot on with our vision. The staff is very happy in their new space. It’s inspiring.”
Mike Lee / PR & Social Media Director / Cactus
“The building is truly built for the way we work. Its functional and free-flow nature fosters creativity, which is integral to the work we do as a full-service advertising agency.”
Photography: Brooks Freehill / Mike Moore
Tres Birds Workshop from Frazer Pogue Collective on frazerpogue.com.
