Renaissance Downtown Lofts Is a 2019 ENR Award Winner

Posted: March 17, 2020

Regional 2019 Best Projects
Award of Merit: Residential/ Hospitality
Renaissance Downtown Lofts

Engineering News-Record magazine has recently announced the Mountain States Best Projects winners for 2019 and named Renaissance Downtown Lofts in Denver, Colorado the Merit Award Winner in the Residential/Hospitality category.

A panel of 12 judges from all areas of the industry—architects, general contractors, green consultants, and engineers—selected winners from 156 total entries, the most in the 19-year history of the awards. Envisioned and designed by Christopher Carvell Architects PC (www.carvellarchitects.com) for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Renaissance Downtown Lofts was designed and constructed as a new model for urbanism, providing supportive, transitional housing. The project was built by FCI Constructors and features the Prescient precision-manufactured, light-gauge recycled steel framing system.

The first floor is dedicated to social services such as mental health care, job programs, and substance abuse treatment. The overhead five floors comprise 101 one- and two-bedroom apartments arranged in a c-shaped cradle, forming a central community terrace overlooking the city.

“The development is designed to exceed Enterprise Green Communities criteria for energy conservation,” said Chris Carvell, AIA, design principal of Christopher Carvell Architects PC of Denver. “The building was oriented on the triangular site to optimize solar access and daylighting for its residents, with an annual projected energy cost savings of 23%.”

“The interactive design of this midrise is highly transparent and welcoming,” stated Carvell. “As a transit- oriented development, Renaissance Downtown Lofts encourages people who are chronically homeless, with permanent housing and support services to connect not only with each other, but also with the city beyond.”

The City of Denver estimates Renaissance Downtown Lofts will save the city $2.9 million per year by providing supportive housing and proactive services that all work together to give its residents the best opportunity for a successful, sustainable recovery from homelessness. “This will act as a blueprint for other cities across the country that face similar challenges with homelessness,” said Denver’s Mayor Michael Hancock.