Denver is an energetic city with a diversified economy. Energy is one of the city’s most important economic sectors, but the city has a booming internet and telecommunications services industry as well. The aerospace, finance, and healthcare sectors all have a firm presence here as well. With a variety of industries choosing Denver as its base, the construction of industrial facilities requires great design and build. On this list, our editors pooled ten of the best industrial architects offering services in the city. These are expert architects creating exceptional facilities for the industrial, power, manufacturing, and transportation sectors. Designing distribution, warehouses, and data centers are a part of their skill set as well. Their firms’ outstanding services extend from local work in Colorado to the rest of the world.
Wilson & Company, Inc.
990 South Broadway, Suite 220, Denver, CO 80209
Wilson & Company has been in the industry for almost a century. Through its decades of experience, it has become a multi-disciplinary firm with an impressive range of expertise. The firm provides architecture planning and design, land development, mechanical and electrical services, and engineering services. Its focus is on creating energy, transport, and manufacturing facilities in Colorado. The firm also serves other US industrial centers such as Utah, Texas, and California.
The Tesoro Crude Oil Unit Train Unloading Facility project showcases the firm’s mastery in the industrial field. In this massive project, Wilson & Company used its expertise in developing and designing a facility that can handle the unloading of two, 100-car unit trains in a 24-hour period. This $55 million facility has been perfectly designed to ensure smooth operations. To protect the bay near the facility, the firm incorporated a spill protection and stormwater control and retention system into the design.
The careful attention the firm brings to each project is one of the reasons for its longevity in the business. The firm’s excellent track record is evident thanks to numerous awards including the 2017 ENR Award. James Brady, a University of Colorado alumnus, brings over 30 years of industry experience as a professional engineer to the firm.
Arrow B Architecture
6464 S Quebec Street, Suite 200, Centennial, CO 80111
With over a decade of experience in the field, this boutique design firm believes in good design without pretense. Simple and realistic architectural design solutions are what they provide. Besides distilleries, this promising firm serves the commercial, hospitality, and residential markets. Thanks to its excellent services, the firm has graced the pages of The Colorado Sun, 5280 Magazine, and Colorado Real Estate Journal. In addition, the firm’s dedication to historic preservation has gained a number of awards including the 2018 Community Preservation Award from Historic Denver.
In a short amount of time, Arrow B Architecture has gathered plenty of recognition. Behind this success is American Institute of Architecture member Shane Martin. Martin is a University of Kansas graduate who has over 30 years of experience in the industry. As a top architect, his work has been published in Denver Magazine, 303 Magazine, and Stone World.
Arrow B Architecture specializes in breweries and distilleries. Among its impressive brewery designs is Spangalang. Located in Denver, the facility was transformed from an office into a 10-barrel system brewery. As Spangalang is a name related to jazz music, the firm incorporated thematic musical elements into the design. Thus, this 4,786 square feet facility features custom cymbal lights and jazzy details above the bar. Aside from an impressive architectural design, the firm has provided consultant and brewery equipment coordination and construction documentation for the project.
ArcWest Architects Inc.
1525 Raleigh Street, Suite 320, Denver, CO 80204
ArcWest Architects is a master in creating storage and manufacturing facilities. A sample of its excellence in the area is Jeppesen’s Print-on-Demand production facility project. This project is a manufacturing facility with the environmental concerns of a data center. The firm has successfully created a facility with easy equipment access and efficient material workflow while answering environmental requirements. Throughout the process, the firm took care of the design, engineering, and construction administration of the facility. With the firm’s expertise in handling challenges, production continued even during construction.
Aside from the manufacturing industry, ArcWest Architects provides services for commercial and retail projects as well. From small production facility additions to large metropolitan equipment installations, the firm has the skills and expertise necessary for any project.
An expert team requires wisdom from its leaders; Kevin Anderson and Todd Heirls fulfill this role. Both Anderson and Heirls are licensed architects in Colorado. Anderson is an AIA member and an Iowa State University alumnus. Heirls, on the other hand, has an NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) certification and is a Ken State University graduate. Together, they lead the firm in making each client’s architectural dreams a reality.
EVstudio
5335 West 48th Avenue, Suite 300 Denver, CO 80212
EVstudio is a one-stop-shop for site and building design needs. It is an architecture and engineering firm specializing in a wide range of sectors. That includes the aviation, industrial, energy, fuel, and manufacturing sectors. Established in 2006, this Denver-based firm serves around 20 different states including Texas. Its architectural and engineering services encompass planning, structural and civil engineering, as well as lighting and interior design.
For over 15 years, the firm has graced the pages of several magazines including ENR Colorado, Professional Builder Magazine, and ColoradoBiz Magazine. Its popularity is due to its outstanding services and exceptional designs. The firm’s excellent performance is on display in its work on LED Supply Co. For this project, the firm has upgraded the client’s light industrial office space. Staying true to the client’s brand, the firm turned a 3,500-square feet office space into a bright, well-lit working environment. The firm also brought the property’s 5,000-square-foot warehouse up to code for distribution use.
Led by AIA member and PE Dean Dalvit, EVstudio seamlessly blends architectural design with practical engineering. Dalvit’s integrated approach results in visually stunning, efficient, and cost-effective projects. Dean is an alumnus of the University of Colorado with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mathematics.
Intergroup Architects
2000 W Littleton Boulevard, Littleton, CO 80120
Intergroup Architects is a top-ranking, award-winning Colorado-based firm. Among its awards is the 2021 Tilt-Up Concrete Association Award. Several publications have featured the firm including Issuu Magazine, Tilt-Up Today Magazine, and BizJournals. Providing architectural planning and design, the firm has been an expert in creating storage, distribution, and heavy transport facilities since 1974.
Intergroup Architects recently completed industrial building work for JAG Logistics just south of Denver International Airport. The firm provided new designs for industrial buildings on 72 acres of commercial zoned land. The facility offers column free cross-dock warehouse space to maximize warehouse floor for specialized freight forwarding users. Soaring 30-foot ceilings offer practical and efficient racking systems and generous truck courts. Mezzanine offices will accommodate higher office ratios. The unique modular design provides tenants with customized leasing options from 5,000-1,000,000 square feet.
Stantec
999 18th Street, Suite 202, Denver, CO 80202
Stantec is a big architectural firm with a big reach. With 22,000 members, the firm has over 350 locations across 6 continents. Serving Colorado and other US states, the firm has several international offices including Australia, Belgium, and Asia. For its impressive reach, the firm has received a great deal of press including WTS International and Corporate Knights Global 100. On top of that recognition in the media, the firm has gained several awards including the 2019 Financial Review Client Choice Awards.
Stantec is a top choice for clients including FedEx, one of the world’s leading shipping companies. For the project, the firm has answered FedEx’s requirement to expand its Rialto facility. The firm has created a 27-million-dollar facility designed to handle time-sensitive packages transported by large over-the-road trailer trucks. In addition, the firm has designed a new stand-alone security/office building and upgraded structural, electrical, and mechanical systems for the facility. The end result is a facility that supports improved service for FedEx ground in California.
With over 30 years of experience, Gord Johnston guides the firm in its continuous success. Johnston has served as president of the Consulting Engineers of Alberta and chair of the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association Biosolids Committee. Thanks to his impressive track record, the firm continues to grow as a leading architectural firm.
OZ Architecture
3003 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205
OZ Architecture is a press favorite. It has graced a considerable number of publications including Building Design + Construction Magazine, ColoradoBiz Magazine, and PR News Wire. There’s a reason why: it is an award-winning firm that has been in the business since 1964. Among the firm’s awards you’ll find the 2020 Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence.
One of the firm’s award-winning projects is its work on Rio Tinto Minerals (RTM), the world’s largest producer of salt, boron, and talc. Merging with subsidiaries, the company requested a new corporate headquarters. In response, the firm designed a 104,000-square-foot facility promoting an energetic working environment. Reflecting RTM’s sustainable values, the firm produced laboratories that meet EPA’s (US Environmental Protection Agency) Labs 21 criteria. Located in Colorado, RTM now has a space that accommodates the diversity of its international community.
For over 57 years, the firm has been using its decades-old mastery in providing a full range of architectural services. Showcasing broad experience in various disciplines, the firm’s team of professionals are masters in architecture, urban and interior design, and architectural planning. Encouraging innovation and creativity in the firm are principals Andy White and Rebecca Stone. Stone and White are both AIA members and LEED AP. White is a University of Arizona alumnus; Stone graduated from Cornell University. Both contribute their knowledge and experience to generate inventive, sustainable design solutions.
Davis Partnership Architects
2901 Blake Street, Suite #100, Denver, CO 80205
Denver-based Davis Partnership Architects is one of the largest, most prominent architecture, landscape architecture, planning and interior design firms in the Rocky Mountain West. With a staff of 190 architects, landscape architects, interior designers, lighting designers and wayfinding, the firm offers clients a diverse range of architectural and design services. Davis Partnership Architects is committed to delivering unparalleled client service, thoughtful, contextual design and consistently elegant solutions.
Matheson Tri-Gas, a leading global supplier of specialty gases and equipment, also sought assistance from the firm. In partnership with Golden Triangle Construction, Inc, Davis Partnership Architects has renovated a 24,000-square-foot facility. The firm’s design features high-technology labs that can handle hazardous production gases. In addition, five custom-built walk-in hoods have been created to house equipment and monitor gas purity levels. Offices and cleanroom spaces were also designed to facilitate research and development. As daily operations were ongoing during the design-build, the firm underwent careful planning and close collaboration with the client.
The firm’s dedication to delivering top-quality facilities has caught the attention of a number of magazines including the Denver Business Journal, 5280 Magazine, Westword Magazine, and ColoradoBiz Magazine. It has also earned multiple awards including the 2020 Merit Award from the American Society Of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The firm’s success comes from energetic leaders Ann and Gary Adams. Both are AIA members, and Ann Adams is a LEED GA (General Associate) while Gary Adams is LEED AP. Their partnership, together with other principals, is crucial to the firm’s success in the industry.
Gensler
1225 17th Street, Suite 150, Denver, CO 80202
Established in 1965, Gensler is a global architectural firm. Providing architecture, design, and planning services, the firm has more than 6,000 professionals in 48 locations. These locations are dispersed across Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. Currently, the firm serves more than 3,500 active clients in virtually every industry.
Co-CEOs Diane Hoskins and Andy Cohen are responsible for the firm’s continuous growth. They are exemplary leaders with a vision to become the world’s largest architecture firm. With their leadership, the firm is on its way towards this goal. Hoskins and Cohen’s new perspectives and game-changing project solutions have been featured in prestigious media outfits. These outfits include CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and Harvard Business Review. Through their leadership, the firm has created impressive, effective designs that are admired globally.
Included in Gensler’s impressive portfolio is its work on Nvidia. Creating a corporate headquarters for the company, the firm has delivered an imposing industrial design for the building. This 250,000-square-foot triangular building features a sculptural roof with interior design in mind. In the roof, skylights were incorporated to create an efficient, uplifting work environment. This stunning masterpiece reflects both Nvidia and Gensler’s strength as industry leaders. For the firm’s outstanding work in the project, it has become a finalist in the 2018 Innovation by Design Awards.
