Continuing the evolution of Rowland + Broughton‘s (R+B) Denver studio, which opened in 2004 in the 1892 E.B. Millar Coffee Company building in Denver’s Lower Downtown Historic District, the architecture and interior design firm recently re-imagined an existing upper level as a multi-purpose salon-style space. In addition to building on their functionality as a team and encouraging communal interaction and experimentation, the new space is an expression of the residential quality of the firm’s design work.
The vision for the thoughtful reincarnation of the wide-open, 2,798-square-foot salon, which was completed earlier this year, included creating multiple gathering areas for collaboration, conversation, and meetings among team members, clients, and colleagues. A backdrop of clean white walls allows for the additional usage of the space as an in-house gallery, where the works of emerging national, international, and Colorado-based artists are highlighted.
Within the historic exposed brick shell, which also features the original post and beam construction and re-finished oak flooring, dual seating groups are unified by a 30-foot-long custom-designed sofa created by Denver-based Rooster Socks set against a window wall overlooking the bustling streetscape below. Additional furnishings include pieces sourced and imported from designers discovered during visits to Los Angeles and travels to Milan and Mexico City.
R+B’s meticulously restored Denver location is a comprehensive, full-service studio. In the fall of 2018, the re-imagined LoDo storefront at 1830 Blake Street involved extreme sensitivity to the original character of the structure, which was built in 1892 and has a storied history as the home of the E.B. Millar Coffee Company.
Following the guidelines and approval of the Lower Downtown Historic District, the project included introducing a more contemporary aesthetic and neutral material palette. A new wood and glass storefront replaced non-historic windows and doors, and the entry was relocated to its original location at the center of the storefront. The work improved the building’s accessibility, increased visibility into the interior, and lent an improved sense of symmetry to the overall structure. 1830 Blake Street is a remnant of the late 19th-century building boom that gave lower downtown the large collection of warehouses that remain today.
Spring of 2019 saw a reconfiguration and sustainable upgrade to the interior of the ground-floor space. Previous non-historic partition walls and restrooms have been removed and upgraded with energy-efficient features, such as occupancy- and daylight- sensors and LED lighting, and accessible restrooms and spaces. Consistent with the functional warehouse operation of the building’s original tenant, an open plan has been employed and original columns and structure have been left exposed.
This past June, nearly 100 clients, partners, editors, and suppliers joined the entire R+B team for an open house in celebration of the new salon space. The salon is regularly used for client meetings, design charrettes and team brainstorming sessions, as well as for individual workspace and small gatherings. Overall, it was a rewarding project and has been a clear success for all involved.
Services Provided by R+B:
- Architecture
- Interior Design
- FFE Selections
Project Consultants:
- MEP Engineer: IMEG
- IT/AV/LV/Security: Harrison Home Systems
- Electrical: RG Engineering Consultants
