Re-Deco
Urban Planning Studio
Fall, 2018
Denver, CO
In an attempt to make the Rino District in Denver a smart city district we were tasked with the challenge of both increasing density and everyday walkability while embracing the Denver lifestyle in the Mile High City. Through added transit connections and an increase in mixed-use residential buildings, the car free district of Re-Deco is meant to be a new Denver nexus.
Existing Density
Proposed Density
Park Open Space
Courtyards
Green Space
Transportation Centers
Hotel
Pedestrian Bridge
Residential Mixed-Use
Re-Deco was designed in an attempt to revamp the Rino District in downtown Denver. The main objective of the property was to make a pedestrian multi-use district in which no cars were allowed. This was possible by using the existing public transit connections as well as adding additional stops for both buses and lightrail on site. The district is historically known as a brownfield site, so reclaiming the soil was very important to the project through the creation of new public green spaces to remidiate toxic soils. The district is also optimally placed for a thriving social in walking distance from the main downtown corridor and other social centers.
The main way to activate is by simply bringing people to the site. To ensure that the site is not just a destination but a place to stay the decision to increase the density through mixed-use residential space was crucial. As if people are living in the space they are staying in the area keeping social life vibrant and leaves little opportunity for neglected space. One challenge Re-Deco tried to face head on was the stark housing bubble that faced the site. On the site directly there is no housing of any kind only manufacturing centers. All of the surrounding highlights areas either hold single family homes or mixed-use residential buildings. The posed solution to the problem was not only increasing density by simply adding buildings to the site, but through adding mixed-use residential buildings on the site in to increase livable population on site, in return reactivating the social life.
The main circulation corridor has mixed transportation methods of cyclists and pedestrians. This is where the intended main social aspect of the district is focused with ground floor shops.
The access to greenspace in every way was key to the design and pushing this new green district with no cars. The idea behind the green roofs is for restaurants and tenants to rent spaces on roofs to grow gardens for local produce.
The main circulation corridor has mixed transportation methods of cyclists and pedestrians. This is where the intended main social aspect of the district is focused with ground floor shops.