DENVER, CO — The Colorado Health Foundation today released external renderings of its new headquarters to be located at 1780 Pennsylvania Street in the Uptown neighborhood of Denver. Inspired by the building’s overall goal of creating a “health-positive” environment for staff, partners and visitors, the renderings provide a glimpse of the building’s external features.
The civic-oriented, mission-driven design allows greater interaction and accessibility to partners, the community and to a wide array of transportation options for staff and visitors. The location was selected because of the centralized proximity in Denver and the high health scores of the neighborhood.
The renderings showcase a three-story building with approximately 32,500 square feet, with direct access to outdoor areas via rooftop decks and/or gardens. In addition, the design plans for 17,500 square feet of below-grade parking, visually appealing construction materials and an inviting experience for pedestrians and local residents in its efforts to conform to the neighborhood surrounding the site. The design was crafted with specific project guiding principles and health-positive building metrics in mind, including natural ventilation and daylight.
“The Colorado Health Foundation Board is excited by this design that exemplifies the organization and its vision,” said Dr. Donald Murphy, board chair of the Colorado Health Foundation and geriatrician with Rocky Mountain Senior Care. “From the start we wanted a structure that spoke to the Foundation’s work with partners to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation while creating a friendly, health-driven space that integrates the organization’s efforts to be continuously learning about how well-being can be integrated into daily life. This exterior design puts us on the track toward accomplishing those goals.”
Davis Partnership Architects threaded specific guiding principles, co-developed by the Foundation, throughout the proposed external design to inform the “health-positive” approach. These principles include two primary focus areas: First, a desire for mission-alignment that draws from best practices and innovative approaches for promoting employee and visitor health, and second, the opportunity to educate and learn from the process of developing a healthy workplace that focuses on stewardship, sustainability and replication.
“We could not be more excited to share with our new neighbors and the wider community a glimpse of our new home,” said Karen McNeil-Miller, president and CEO of the Colorado Health Foundation. “Inside and out, we hope to exemplify the fact that health is everyone’s business, especially ours. Every element of the building – from the construction, to design, to the central location in Denver – will allow us to further our vision of making Colorado the healthiest state in the nation.”
Saunders Construction will implement a job site wellness plan throughout the building’s construction in support of their vision to create a healthy work environment for all contractors. The plan includes fresh fruit availability, healthy food vendors, bike lockers, changing stations, wellness days, cooking seminars and exercise challenges.
After announcing a land purchase agreement in January with the Denver Housing Authority (DHA), the Foundation kicked off the process for design approval and anticipates construction to begin later this fall. It is anticipated that staff will move into the building in late 2016. Foundation leadership are engaging regularly with DHA and recently began talks with neighborhood associations.
“DHA has much in common with the Foundation, and we share a similar mission and values that solidified our decision to sell this land. We look forward to ongoing engagement as construction begins later this year,” said Ismael Guerrero, executive director of DHA.
“We are happy that the Colorado Health Foundation has taken the time to study the character of the Uptown neighborhood and designed a structure that is considerate to the existing structures and its residents,” said Ryan Todd, a member of Land Use Committee for the Uptown on the Hill neighborhood association. “This type of health-oriented structure complements our vision for the future of our neighborhood and is a welcome addition.