DC Attends The Olympic Curling Trials

As a firm that is intricately tied to senses of community, DC makes an effort to engage it’s staff both in and out of the office.We work hard, often during long hours, and so it’s nice to see people we spend so much time with outside of the constraints of deadlines, design, and production.For this year’s winter outing we headed to the Broomfield Events Center to see the Women’s Curling Olympic Trial Semi-Finals. About half of our employees were able to join us, and some brought their friends, spouses, and children—including Sarah, who’s husband Greg turned out to be the most knowledgeable of the sport.

Curling is a team sport played on a long, narrow, iced alley down which players take turns “throwing” (sliding) 44 pound stones with handles, all in an effort to get as close to the target at the other end as possible.This is done with the aid of two sweepers who use brooms to help the rock to travel both and faster and to the desired spot on the ice.Simultaneously, there is an effort to knock the other team’s stones away from the target.“Curling is far more interesting than I suspected” Axel commented while we were there, “because the level of athletic control necessary is phenomenal. Speed, focus, angle, and target are all very important; it is a very ‘finesse-y’ sport.”

The Curling Olympic Trials was chosen for the winter outing due mostly to everyone’s unfamiliarity with the sport.In the past the firm has taken the Ski Train to Winter Park and attended hockey games (where the coming Olympic Curling Trials came to our attention).With the Broomfield Events Center being so close and the event’s uniqueness, attending the Curling Trials was an easy choice.

Shanen Named Principal

This past January Shanen, a 15 year Design Concepts veteran, joined founding Principals Axel and Robby and managing Principal Carol as the firm’s newest Principal.

Shanen first joined the DC team in 1994, having graduated from Colorado State University where an interest in art and Earth sciences led her to landscape architecture—a field in which she found she could combine the two. She has since cultivated an enthusiasm for horticulture and design with plants.

Throughout her career here Shanen has developed a passion for park and playground design, where she has been able to incorporate children and education into natural environments. When asked to cite specific projects for which she and DC have done this, Shanen is quick to name Centennial Park in Rifle. Centennial Park’s phase two includes plans for a playground which will carry themes of time and history. Willow Farm Park in Longmont also integrates a historical theme.

Shanen’s next big project is the renovation of Adams 12 School District’s campuses. DC has already created the master plans and construction documents for the renovation. As tax funding has been put on hold Shanen is now working with schools to target specific components of play equipment and play areas to meet new district standards until new bond initiatives make more money available for the planned complete renovation.

In her new role as a Principal Shanen looks forward to helping Carol manage the firm. As Design Concepts evolves and transitions to coming generations and the founders look toward the future of the company, Shanen feels that with her, Carol, and others moving forward the firm is being placed safely into the hands of people who share the firm’s founding ethics and values.

Virtual Arboretum: Westlands Park

We just added Westlands Park, an award-winning Design Concepts project in Greenwood Village, to our Virtual Arboretum. The park is looking great and the trees are happy happy! Visit our website for maps, directions, and more information.

Targeting Colorado's Renewable Future

For a long time we've believed that Colorado has a target on it for becoming a development center for renewable energy.  On Tuesday President Barack Obama will sign the Economic Stimulus bill at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, which has a 100-kilowatt solar panel system--the second largest in Colorado after DIA's 2 megawatt system (see the Denver Post's story).  Governor Bill Ritter and Museum Director George Sparks both cited Colorado's efforts at renewable energy as one of the reasons contributing to Obama's visit.  

Design Concepts has been the leader in renewable resource design for communities and public spaces since 1981.  

A LEED Project: Westin Element Hotel

In keeping with our effort to diversify our portfolio we have recently taken on the landscape design of the 3000 sq. ft. courtyard at the Westin Element hotel currently under construction in Park Meadows. Not unlike other projects we have done, the landscape at the Element will be LEED certified with a water efficiency credit and a sustainable sites credit. We’re proud to be on board with the design of the first LEED certified hotel in Colorado. We were recommended for the project by YRG Sustainability (yrgconsultants.com), the LEED consultant for Casey Middle School—another DC design.

Todd from our office is the key designer for this project and is also a LEED Accredited Professional. While the design of urban gathering spaces such as this are a large portion of our portfolio, Todd notes that previous plazas and public gardens were usually on school campuses and within community parks. For this project Todd and others at the firm will incorporate hardscape shaded by native trees, planted vegetation, and some grass to create the three tiered plaza that will serve as the hotel’s courtyard, pool entryway, fire pit gathering area, and outdoor dining space.

Carol (one of the four principals here) and Todd intend to focus on Colorado climate-friendly vegetation in keeping with LEED’s principal of limiting water usage. This means using plants, trees, and flowers that are native to the area and therefore well accustomed to drought. Furthermore, the design will limit the use of thirsty grasses such as the popular Kentucky Bluegrass.

Congregating spaces are definitive of the community building designs that are the DC hallmark. The Festival Plazas in Winter Park and Louisville are great examples of this. The renovations of the Trumbo Plaza on CU’s campus are even more exemplary of how our designs of public spaces define and invite social gathering. This focus is continuing with Castle Rock’s Festival Plaza, another upcoming project that will challenge us to once again apply and expand our concept of design. Check back for an update on that project.

Visit Element Hotel’s website