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What have we been up to...TRANSCRIPT
What we’ve been up to lately...
We hope you will take a few minutes to browse through our most recent work. We are excited of the architecture our firm has been generating. We hope you will agree with our excitement for both the architecture as well as what these projects contribute to our community.
We continue to set a strong vision for architecture that reinforces place-making. The high standard we set for our staff results in innovative and award-winning solutions that don’t break budgets. The three projects we have chosen to showcase are great examples our team’s commitment to Semple Brown Design’s vision and dedication.
• Graland Country Day School Anschutz Student Commons, LEED Gold • Kent Denver School Dining Hall, LEED Platinum Certified • Parker Arts Cultural and Events Center
We continue to have an open door policy, so stop by to discuss ideas for your next project or to learn more about our amazing clients, their projects and our design vision.
Sarah Semple Brown, AIA Russell L. Brown Jr., AIAOwner/Principal Owner/Principal
What we’ve been up to lately...
Photo on cover: Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center
Photo on left hand side: Kent Denver School Student Dining Hall
Graland Country Day SchoolAnschutz Commons
South elevation: The patio is an extension of the dining hall as well as a separate venue during the summer months.
The new 15,000 sf Anschutz Commons building is part of the 7 acre Graland Country Day School Campus, a private K-8 educational institution. The commons building is located at the heart of the campus – the design engages the architectural guidelines and reaffirms the strong design unity on the campus.
Our team took great care to maintain the existing character of the campus and the quality of the outdoor spaces by reducing the overall massing of the new two-story building. The impact of the taller structure is minimized by carving the lower level into the site; and minimizing the ceiling/floor structural depth.
The dining hall space can accommodate presentations, dances, receptions, and classroom activities. The natural daylight was a key goal for the lower level of the building – the team made sure the classrooms were not in a “dungeon” basement environment. Each of the 650 square foot classrooms on the west side have been provided with views towards the playing field while the east classrooms have a light-well that filters natural daylight throughout the day.
The building is anticipated to earn a LEED Gold certification in 2012.
One of several west facing classrooms. Natural daylight was a key design factor for school committee and architecture team.
A south facing glass facade provides an abundance of natural daylight.
Graland Country Day School
The lobby area is used as a student gallery, classroom, and pre-performance gatherings.
Hamilton Reiman Building & Fries Family Theater
The transformation of the Hamilton Reiman Building took existing dark, out-of-date cafeteria into the full-time performance and assembly venue. Now GCDS can host up to 300 visitors in the Fries Family Theater with the flexibility to hold school plays, lectures, classroom, choir and band performances.
The small addition to the building on the northeast corner serves as the main entrance for evening performances, and houses a new elevator, allowing access to both the theater and the lower level library.
The renovation was an cost-saving, alternative solution to constructing a new performing arts facility. This solution also absorbed less of the campus’ open space, a high priority for GCDS while at the same time promoting sustainability.
The Fries Family Theatre hosting the 7th grade band.
The new 50,000 sf center anchors a crucial gateway between the town’s historic
downtown and its civic/municipal district.
The facade of the structure are divided into modules of brick and glass that relate to
the historic downtown rhythm. The largest single element of the building face is a
wall of perforated, weathered steel that allows the play of light and shadow during
the day and becomes a dramatic illuminated screen at night.
The design provides the community with several distinctive gathering spaces:
• A 500-seat theatre for performances (7,000 square foot)
• An outdoor amphitheater for up to 200 people
• Four 1,000 square foot multi-purpose/classroom spaces
• Event Room for up to 200 people
• Catering Kitchen
• Outdoor Reception Patio
PACEParker Arts, Culture & Events Center
Art Gallery with glass storefront allows passersby a glimpse into the space.
The skylights filter natural daylight throughout the day, softening the steel interior walls .
500-seat theater Dance Studio
The skylight and glass curtain wall filter natural daylight throughout the day and provide ample views of the surrounding landscape.
View towards the west. The building affords small “view boxes” into the interior spaces and its occupants/performers.
View of the building across the creek.
Kent Denver SchoolStudent Dining Hall
The project includes an 8,000 sf extensive renovation to the existing building and a 12,000 sf addition. The final project includes
a new kitchen and a dining area with a capacity of 450 students, and added flexibility to accommodate multiple, simultaneous
extracurricular functions.
The landscape immediately surrounding the building includes sloping open-space filled by indigenous grasses and flowers, as well as
multiple varieties of orchard trees. An interior ‘green’ wall is a featured aspect of the design, with over 576 plants including herbs
that will be freshly harvested and utilized in cooking on a day-to-day basis.
The dining hall is a LEED Platinum certified under the Schools 2009 system, and it is first of its kind in the nation to receive such
an accolade. Over 50% total building energy savings from baseline is reached with the aid of a 27 kilowatt roof mounted solar
photovoltaic array.
If you are interested in learning further about these or any of our other work we invite you to stop by our offices located:
1160 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, Colorado 80204
Or sending us an inquiry via email to:
Sarah Semple Brown, AIA [email protected] L. Brown, Jr. AIA [email protected] Schmidt, AIA, LEED AP [email protected] Kay Sunset, IIDA, LEED AP [email protected] Wineman [email protected]