Studio Gang, the renowned architecture and urban design firm led by Jeanne Gang, has unveiled Populus, a 265-room hotel in Denver. This striking addition to the city serves as a vibrant social hub, drawing inspiration from the growth patterns of Colorado's native Aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) to establish a new architectural icon.
Located at a critical intersection linking Denver's civic, arts, and commercial districts, Populus opens its three sides to embrace visitors and locals. Its sculptural façade features textured vertical scallops that correspond to the dimensions of the guest rooms, creating a seamless connection between the building's exterior and interior spaces. Made from acid-washed glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC), the façade highlights the material's unique aggregate.
The hotel's distinctive windows reflect the patterns found on Aspen tree bark, with dark, eye-shaped markings representing where branches have shed as the trees mature. These windows vary in size and shape to accommodate the different public and private areas within the building. At ground level, expansive openings rise up to 30 feet, framing entrances and views while enhancing the pedestrian-friendly atmosphere of the neighbourhood. Upper-level rooms offer stunning views of the State Capitol, Civic Center Park, and the Rocky Mountains.
Populus incorporates several sustainable features in its design. It maximizes its compact triangular footprint and eliminates dedicated parking—a first for a new hotel in Denver—encouraging more environmentally friendly transportation options. The concrete structure includes fly ash to reduce the need for cement, thereby decreasing carbon emissions during construction. The building's exterior window 'lids' extend outward to provide shade and manage rainwater.
Inside, much of the building's structure is left exposed to minimize the need for additional finishes. When finishes are used, they prioritize recycled content, such as reclaimed Wyoming snow fencing for the lobby, amenity ceilings, and recycled leather veneer in the elevator cabs and guest room desks. The green roof on the top floor creates a habitat for local wildlife and insects, contributing to urban biodiversity. The project is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification.
