Because of the high number of residents and neighborhoods in the area, Denver is an ideal location for retail spaces to open up. Wanting to open a retail space is only the first step of the process. Finding the right architectural firm will help business owners seeking to customize their space in a manner that speaks to their brand identity.
Tryba Architects
1620 Logan St. Denver, CO 80203
Established in 1988, Tryba Architects is a trusted architectural firm in sustainable urbanism. The firm focuses on the unity between the community and the location when creating a space for a client. Tryba Architects is accredited by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Urban Land Institute (ULI) Colorado.
Tryba Architects was founded by David Tryba, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) and a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder where he received his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design, Architecture, and Urban Design.
The firm has received several awards throughout the years, most importantly the Honorable Mention for Interior Architecture. It was awarded by AIA Denver for its project on the Denver Union Station. The architectural firm has also been featured in numerous publications, including the Denver Business Journal, The New York Times, and The Denver Post.
One of its notable projects is the Junction Food & Drink, which was completed in 2020. It’s a 12,200-square-foot development for Lincoln Property Company. The location features 10 food concepts by local chefs, an indoor and outdoor bar, a coffee shop, and an outdoor patio. Junction Food & Drink is a vibrant food hall surrounded by towers at the Colorado Center.
Semple Brown Design
1160 Santa Fe Dr. Denver, CO 80204
Semple Brown Design was founded in 1982 and has since offered a collaborative approach to clients of different industries. The firm is one of the leading architecture and interior design firms in the Rocky Mountain Region. Semple Brown Design is composed of 27 professionals, 12 licensed architects, and 4 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professionals. It was founded by Sarah Semple Brown, a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in environmental design and architecture. Semple Brown is affiliated with AIA, Downtown Denver Partnership, and CU Design Review Board.
Semple Brown Design has been a recipient of different awards, including the Mayor’s Design Awards from the City and County of Denver in 2021 for its project on Benzina. Semple Brown Design has been featured in publications like Colorado Real Estate Journal, Hospitality Design, and Architectural Record for its impressive designs.
One of the firm’s popular projects is the Pura Vida Fitness and Spa, featuring a clean-modern theme to promote the idea of vitality and well-being. Through attention to materials and details, the development’s exterior thoroughly blends with the rest of the neighborhood.
OZ Architecture
3003 Larimer St. Denver, CO 80205
OZ Architecture has served clients from diverse backgrounds since 1964. The firm offers services like planning, architecture, and interior designing.
With 58 years of experience, OZ Architecture has received awards from various institutions. In 2021, Downtown Denver Awards gave the firm the Downtown Denver Partnership Award for its project, Platte Fifteen. In 2020, Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DIC) awarded them the Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence for its project, Foundry Loveland. The firm has been featured in publications like Longevity Colorado, PR News Wire, Mile High CRE, and Colorado Estate Journal.
The Tesla Service Center is one of the firm’s known projects, located in Superior, Colorado and completed in 2020. The 22,000-square-foot development was constructed through a pre-engineered building (PEB). The structure was mostly kept simple, combining traditional and modern themes. The modern influence can be seen through the asymmetric gable and the combination of different materials from metal to glass.
4240 Architecture
3507 Ringsby Ct. Suite #117, Denver, CO 80216
A mid-sized firm from River North Art District, 4240 Architecture has been in the industry since 2003. The firm is accredited by the U.S. Green Building Council, an organization that focuses on sustainability in designing, constructing, and operating buildings. 4240 Architecture’s Principal, Matt Cecere, AIA, LEED AP, received his education from Roger Williams University after majoring in Architecture.
In 2019, 4240 Architecture was given the Urban Design Award – Architecture by the City of Fort Collins for its work on The Pavilion at Laurel Village. It has received recognition in several publications such as Travel + Leisure, Building Dialogue, Forbes, and Colorado Construction & Design.
One of its known projects is Aviano Coffee, a local urban coffee shop. The indoor and outdoor settings perfectly blend with each other. Artist murals can also be found throughout the shop to elevate the experience for customers.
LIVstudio
1760 Gaylord St. Suite 3F Denver, CO 80206
LIVstudio was founded in 2010 with the concept of helping others through design. The firm ensures its clients that each project is guided by its passion for design, life, nature, growth, and family. As a small design firm, it gives each project meticulous attention from conceptualization to completion.
Brandon Anderson, AIA, LEED AP, is the principal architect of LIVstudio. Anderson is a graduate of Texas Tech University and a current instructor at the University of Colorado. He was the secretary for the AIA Colorado Board of Directors from 2012 to 2014. The American Institue of Architects named Mr Anderson as the Young Architect of the Year in 2012 and Mentor of the Year in 2013.
LIVstudio has proven its capabilities as a recipient of several awards, including the Citation Award for Interior Architecture from AIA Colorado in 2015 for its work on StudioCOMO. It was also included in publications like Modern in Denver, 5280 Magazine, Eater Denver, The Denver Post, and 303 Magazine.
The Denver Central Market is a well-known project by LIVstudio. It is a gourmet marketplace and food hall located along Larimer Street in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood. The project features 11 gourmet vendors and was mentioned in 303 Magazine for being a one-stop shop for grocery items and good desserts.
tres birds workshop
3821 Steele St. Unit B, Denver, CO 80205
Founded by Michael M. Moore in 2000, tres birds workshop provides full services like planning, architecture, and general contracting. The firm focuses on building sustainable communities through effective and innovative designs. Every project of tres birds has the objective of being transformative and focusing on beauty and timelessness while considering biodiversity.
Their unique approach to architectural designing has led them to receive the Silver A’ Design Award from A’ Design Award & Competition for Architecture, Building, and Structure Design Category. It’s been featured in The New York Times, World Architects, The Architect’s Newspaper, and ArchDaily.
One of its many impressive projects is SVPER ORDINARY, which was completed in October 2013. The retail and gallery concept was built for a group of local creative entrepreneurs who wanted a top-tier art and design destination. Within the structure is an open-air market called The Source where vendors offer specialty food. The Source was built in a previous foundry building which tres birds took advantage of and repurposed. Burnt wood was used to create texture and stark contrast to the plain white gallery walls.
Arrow B Architecture
6464 S. Quebec St. Suite #200 Centennial, CO 80111
The boutique design firm Arrow B Architecture was founded in 2012 with a commitment to providing high-quality design. Arrow B Architecture’s principal architect, Shane Martin, AIA graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Kansas. Martin worked for 20 years in leading firms in Kansas and Colorado before going on his own in 2012.
The firm has proven its credibility by receiving awards for its projects. In 2018, it was given the Community Preservation Award and Mayor’s Design Award by Historic Denver. Its works have been published in 5280 Magazine, BusinessDen, Colorado Real Estate Journal, and The Know.
Arrow B. Architecture has been recognized for its construction of Co Brew, a 2,652-square-feet homebrew supply store and coffee shop. Co Brew was built with the idea of a clean and contemporary retail environment. The boutique has a brewing area that caters for one-on-one or group sessions for learning to use high-end brewing equipment.
Koch Covotsos Architects
3457 Ringsby Ct. Unit #223, Denver, CO 80216
Koch Covotsos Architects started in 2013, specializing in small commercial spaces, parking garages, and residential design projects. Since then, it has built a market niche on historic residential remodels, commercial tenant finishes, and parking structures. The firm has also started to expand in restaurants and schools.
Since 2013, the projects by Koch Covotsos Architects have been recognized by AIA Colorado. The organization awarded the firm with the Award of Distinction and Honorable Mention for its project, The Constellation. In 2020, the architectural firm was included in 5280 Magazine, while in 2019, it was mentioned in Business Den and Eater Denver.
One of its notable developments besides The Constellation was the Giant Stores. The project includes six different stores nationwide for Giant Bicycle. These are located in Denver, Santa Monica, and Scottsdale, and they feature a consistent brand identity despite the distance from each other. The firm successfully adapted to the evolving retail industry through a contemporary and intimate shopping experience.
