Situated in Denver’s northern River North Art District (RiNo), beneath the towering presence of the nearby Rocky Mountains, the One River North residential building in Denver, Colorado by MAD Architects comprises 187 rental units across 15 floors, alongside a 9,000-square-foot retail space on the ground floor. A striking crack of natural terrain runs through the glass façade from the sixth to the ninth floor.
Established in 2004 in Beijing, with additional offices in Los Angeles and Rome, MAD’s approach to this project was inspired by their vision to rejuvenate urban living by integrating natural elements into modern architecture. This innovative living experience not only aims to strengthen the connections between its residents but also enrich their evolving relationship with the natural world.
The building introduces a new, immersive living experience that prioritizes and simultaneously strengthens its inhabitants’ connection to the natural world.
The city of Denver is known for its rugged mountains and deep canyons that hold its urban area in a loving embrace. Close to the city’s center, RiNo has been the subject of a multifaceted makeover. Previously known as an industrial hub, the district has opened up and transformed into a thriving cultural hub for Colorado’s abstract thinkers, artistic minds, outdoor enthusiasts, and community builders.
While One River North addresses Denver’s need for high-density housing, it is primarily focused on providing an accessible wellness-centered way of life that encourages exploration, vitality, an active mind, and, most interestingly, a modern interpretation of togetherness.
The four-story cracked-open terrain references natural rock formations and is poetically juxtaposed to the modern geometric lines of the building’s facade.
Upon scanning One River North, the interconnectedness between its indoor and outdoor layers can be immediately detected by how external plantings and materials elegantly flow into its interior. Its carved-out center which perhaps renders its architecture shape-shifting powerfully underscores this synergy even further. The four-story amenity space references natural rock formations with its design reminiscent of a slot canyon. The plaster, cave-like elements deeply contrast–though in a poetic manner–with the sleek geometric lines of the building’s massing.
One River North features rejuvenating greenery throughout all its levels.
The canyon-like vertical structure comprises over 13,000 sq. feet of “floating” terraces made up of outdoor seating arrangements, gardens, and water features that are connected with all the indoor amenities, allowing residents to make the most of them from multiple levels. Its outdoor staircase is meant to simulate the mountainous trails seen all around the state of Colorado.
The plantings spread throughout all the levels including foothills vegetation at the beginning of the canyon and pine trees on the rooftop. Natural references continue even inside the building’s apartments with rich wood details applied to the interior of some living quarters.
Natural references seep into the building’s tranquil yet modern interior.
The landscape design of the unique feature reflects the state’s natural conditions and plant life. It has been curated using resilient plant species, picked out after doing a wind and sun analysis, as the greenery will flourish and “micro-climates” will expand with time. The canyon climbs across One River North’s ruptured facade and culminates at the rooftop terrace sixteen stories above street level. There, an alpine-life-like zone features a pool with a waterfall, a spa, and a lavish garden with views of the Denver skyline enhancing the exquisite ambiance.
MAD Architects’ Denver gem has earned Fitwel certification in recognition of its commitment to promoting the physical and mental health of its residents. Awarded to less than 1,000 buildings worldwide, the certification reflects the project’s groundbreaking approach to mixed-used methods of building. The thoughtfully curated and deeply engaging three-dimensional architectural marvel fosters well-being, community, and, most of all, an inspiring integration of nature.
The concept behind the One River North residential building is primarily inspired by the city of Denver’s majestic mountains and deep canyons.
Project & images: MAD Architects
Article in collaboration with: DesignWanted
