ProcessNeighbors from the Highland community together with leadership from Emmaus Lutheran Church, the developer (David Hagan) and the design team (Anderson Mason Dale) collaborated on two diff erent occasions to establish the design principles that would be used in the development of a new medical offi ce building. On May 5, 2015, the group met at the offi ces of Anderson Mason Dale to review and discuss the project parameters and the U-MS-2x Zoning. In that meeting the design team presented architectural precedents for similar building types in northwest Denver. Community members identifi ed components of existing buildings in West Highland they believed were appropriate to this project. Th e second meeting, held on June 3rd, explored the design ideas and concepts that would establish a framework for making design decisions in the future. Sketches were used to facilitate the discussion. Community members were able to make notes on the drawings they believed were appropriate for the Medical Offi ce Building. At the conclusion of the meeting, a discussion about those comments enabled the community and design team to focus on a set of design principles that would be used as a point of departure when the project resumes. Th e following consensus document or Vision Statement summarizes the outcomes of both meetings and outlines a project approach for the new facility.

Vision StatementTh e new West Highland Medical Offi ce Building will bring high quality comprehensive medical care to the residents of northwest Denver. Equally important, the project is envisioned as a neighborhood building, a structure that builds on the existing vocabulary and traditions of Denvers best historical commercial structures. Th e project parameters include:

Zoning is U-MS-2x; a zoning designation supporting activity and integration into Main St. urban residential neighborhoods.

Th e building will be a Medical Offi ce Building with Extended-Hours Family Practice at the main level.

Th e project is bordered by 32nd St. to the north, Irving St. to the west, the Emmaus church to the south and an alley to the east.

Th e project will be two stories. Th e project will contain between 24,000 sq. ft . 26,000 sq. ft . Th ere will be approximately 75 off street parking spaces

Th e second community workshop was the context for exploring many of the architectural issues that will impact the new building. Th e following summarizes the sentiment and the goals of those neighbors in attendance.

West Highland Gateway Offi ce BuildingNeighbor Medical Care in the Highlands

Th e architecture will build on the urban patterns (scale, color, detail, proportion) of northwest Denver and represent an appropriate fi t into its immediate context. Th e goal for the new building is to respect the character of the existing residential context while acknowledging the important role this building will play within the specifi c context of 32nd and Irving St.

Th e following principles were articulated by the neighbors in the community workshop and constitute the general consensus of the group:

Be respectful of the scale of the neighborhood. Develop an attitude about the building that creates an appropriate

scale to the neighborhood. Th is is more than surface articulation. If possible, the massing on the south side should be sensitive to the residential neighborhood located on the other side of the church and lawn.

Th e building should be derivative of the historic buildings in northwest Denver without mimicking historic details. Building should be able to surprise and delight. Contemporary interpretations of historic elevations and details are the preferred direction.

If possible, integrate bus stop with architecture of the building. Be sensitive to the unique environmental conditions on the north

side especially as it pertains to ice and landscaping. Utilize brick on all four sides and develop some consistency

throughout the building. Th e articulation of the sills, brickwork and the cornice are

extremely important. Patterning of brick adds warmth and texture to the wall.

Develop the project with an emphasis on the gateway corner (32nd and alley) and the commercial corner (32nd and Irving).

If appropriate, explore diff erent materials and colors for the corners.

Pay attention to the immediate context. Try to tie the two existing buildings at the 32nd and Irving intersection into the new offi ce building and create a cohesive place.

Artwork at lobby and corner is an appropriate method to highlight corner and public spaces as long as there is some control of the art. Artwork and architectural elements should be developed to communicate the nature of the building.

Avoid trendy architectural motifs on the building such as framed cantilevered bays and brick as veneer. Respect the traditional and historical legacy of brick, glass and metal in northwest Denver.

Transparency along Irving St. is a good response to the buildings lobby and develops a relationship to building across the street.

Site amenities along Irving St. reinforce neighborhood character. Site amenities should be urban in palette and materials.