Group D--True North: Orienting Layers of Time, Space and Activity
Hidden all around Denver Union Station is a rich history, replete with tales of commerce, growth and civic pride. Our concept plan exposes the most powerful of these historic references, the true north axis, and raises it to prominence on the site. The true north axis functions here as a historical datum line, providing a linear reference that differentiates and defines the elements of the design. Honoring Denver’s connection to its northern neighbor, Cheyenne, Wyoming, the axis references the direction of the first railroad shipments from Union Station and celebrates the subsequent growth of the region. The datum line exposes and orients layers of time, space and activity throughout the site.
Layers of time honor the historical significance of Denver Union Station and its meaning to Denver’s residents, and inspire new connections to the emerging public places. Layers of space build into the site a flexible, sustainable environment that improves connections among all transportation modes at Union Station and stimulates economic vitality. Layers of activity create an exciting setting and invite people to experience Union Station in a variety of ways whenever they visit. Special features of the plan include:
- Terraced wing buildings that preserve and create new views of and from the historic building;
- A neighborhood grocery store, bicycle commuter station, post office and a variety of civic and retail uses in all onsite buildings to stimulate activity and invite regular use;
- Plaza areas that both facilitate pedestrian and bicycle flow to and through the transportation hub and offer space for rest and socializing;
- Natural meeting areas that include a reference to the historic "welcome" or "mizpah" arch at the front of the historic building, and information kiosks around the site;
- Innovative connecting elements that provide easy access to and from the 17th Street Promenade and the historic building, via a second-story terrace and an atrium building that protects and celebrates the north façade of the historic building.
Click here for Group D's final presentation.
Click here for Group D's final concept poster.