Designed by Studio Gang, an architecture company, The Populus is a hotel built in Denver, Colorado, and the first of this type in the US: it’s not just carbon neutral, but carbon positive!
The exterior of the Populus, as well as the name from the scientific name for the aspen tree (Populus tremuloides), is inspired by trees that are traditionally linked with the west of the US.
According to Jeanne Gang, the founder of Studio Gang, a MacArthur Fellow, and one of the top 100 most influential people according to Time Magazine, the unique shape of the windows is reminiscent of the growth process of aspen trees, emblems of the ecology in Colorado.
As the trees grow, they leave dark, eye-shaped marks on the trunks and the lower branches shed.
An Eco-Conscious Building Committed to Nature
The eco-conscious plan of design also includes a commitment to planting trees equivalent to more than 5000 acres of forest and offsetting a carbon footprint equaling nearly 500,000 gallons of gas and the removal of surplus CO2 from the atmosphere.
The shapes of the building’s windows contribute to the sculptural facade which is connected to the function of the building.
The windows are made to perform optimally in the wide-ranging climate in Denver. Every window, on the exterior, extends a bit outward according to the solar orientation that shades the building’s interior and betters the energy performance.
Moreover, the lids of the windows channel the rain to maintain the brightness and cleanliness of the exterior.
This hotel boasts 265 rooms, a bar on the rooftop, and a restaurant with a stunning panoramic view of the city skyline and the mountains, as well as spaces for events and retail.
When Will the First Ever American Carbon-Negative Hotel in Denver Open Up?
The official opening is yet to happen and is scheduled for late 2023.
The reality is that buildings are currently responsible for 45 percent of greenhouse emissions and the need for eco-conscious buildings is essential. Though the number of carbon-neutral constructions has risen, it’s isn’t yet sufficient to slow down climate change
Urban Villages is the real estate developer of the Populus and the co-founder, CEO, and chief environmental officer, Grant McCargo, says that this building isn’t just a first carbon-positive hotel, but also a magnificent architectural landmark by Studio Gang that will change the skyline of Denver forever and add to the architectural legacy of Mountain West.
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