Populous, a 265-room hotel designed by Studio Gang, has opened in downtown Denver.
The name is taken from “populus tremuloides”, Colorado’s native aspen, which is also referenced in the colour of the façade, whose glass-fibre and concrete cladding is acid-washed to create the bright white hue of the tree’s bark.
It also inspired the uneven window sizes, which mimic the oval knots left when aspens shed their branches. The structure’s base contains 30ft-tall windows, through which passersby can view the lobby and restaurant.
The roof of the 13-storey building is occupied by a terrace with restaurant and bar, as well as a garden planted with regional vegetation.
The 135,000 sq ft building’s upper levels have been designed to minimise its impact on views of the Colorado State Capitol in Civic Centre Park.
Populus is aiming to become a hub for the city, with connections to the civic, arts, and commercial districts and the Rocky Mountains beyond.
In terms of sustainability, the hotel’s concrete incorporates fly ash and does not have any car parking space – a first for a development in downtown Denver.
Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang’s founder, said: “Denver strikes a unique balance between being a vibrant city and a gateway to some of the country’s most awe-inspiring natural landscapes.
“Our goal was to draw from this distinct urban character and rich ecology to create a building that would help define the skyline of this thriving city.”
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