Sustainable & Innovative Aqua Tower Adds to Chicago Skyline

The Aqua Tower, a new 82-story building in Chicago's downtown, was featured on the January/February cover of Greensource Magagzine.  Designed by Jeanne Gang, along with Magellan Development Group, this residential and hotel tower is making headlines for both its sustainability and its innovation.  Sustainable practices were incorporated throughout the building process, and design features such as a 3rd-story podium park, a public electric car charging station in the underground garage, and curving balconies which shield sunlight, have made the tower eligible for LEED status.  The Aqua Tower, shows an innovative design in that both the footprint and the floorplans of the interior spaces remain rectilinear, unlike its predecessors, Bertrand Goldberg's twin cylinders of Marina City.  The curved exterior is achieved through the swerving concrete balconies.  Check out the photo gallery and article in Greensource. 

Three Concepts for 16th Street Mall Re-design

The Downtown Denver Partnership has released three concepts for the re-design of the 16th Street Mall in Denver.  The concepts can be seen here: "Current Urban Design Plan Details".  You can stay up to date on the 16th Street Mall improvements at the "16th Street Plan" website. As a member of the Downtown Denver Partnership, Venture Architecture will keep our blog updated as the design and improvements to the 16th Street Mall progress.

Hickenlooper: 'Community Investment Good for Business'

"Strategic community investment ultimately is good for business", says Mayor John Hickenlooper in this video found on our client, dovetail solutions' website.  The Mayor mentions Exec Connect, a local group comprised of leaders from the private, non-profit, and public sectors, as an example of how partnering with the community leads to both personal and professional rewards.  Exec Connect has recently allied with Denver Bike Share to work towards the goal of "changing the culture of transportation in Denver".  Click here to learn more about Exec Connect.

Denver Home Prices Up

According to the Denver Post article, "Metro Home Prices Soar in January", home prices in the Denver Metro area are up 16% from one year ago.  This indicator of the economy's growing confidence and recovery are good to see.  Here at Venture, we are staying busy with two new project so far in 2010!

Venture Designs New Qwest Building in Pueblo

Venture has teamed up with Qwest to provide "ground-up" design services for a new 10,000 sf building in Pueblo.  We worked with brokers, Coldwell Banker and Grub Ellis to secure the project.  Our design package includes an architectural site layout and coordination with civil and landscape engineers, core and shell design, pricing coordination with the general contractor, selection of interior finishes, and permit and construction documentation.  Our design is currently being reviewed by the City of Pueblo.  Check back soon for updates on this exciting project!