Exploring 1 River North: Denver’s New Gold Standard for Biophilic Design

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of taking a group of interior design students on a tour of the new 1 River North building in Denver's vibrant RiNo neighborhood. This area has quickly become a hotspot for creatives, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts, boasting an eclectic mix of craft breweries, music venues, and innovative architecture. It was the perfect setting to explore a groundbreaking example of biophilic design.

A few months ago, we attended a symposium on 1 River North at Davis Partnership, the local firm that collaborated with MAD Architects of China to bring this visionary project to life. From the beginning, it was clear that this building was setting a new gold standard in sustainable and nature-integrated design. What makes 1 River North truly remarkable is the canyon that winds through the heart of the building, teeming with native plants and offering residents a one-of-a-kind vertical hiking experience.

Our tour began on the roof, where an outdoor deck holds a swimming pool, hot tub, and views as far as the eye can see. We happened to be there on a gorgeous day, so from the 16th floor, we could see mountain ranges off to the west, Pike's Peak to the south, and miles and miles of plains stretching to the east.

Once we came back inside, we entered the penthouse, a three-bedroom apartment with a den, currently available for $16,000/month. This unit featured two private outdoor decks, a gorgeous gourmet kitchen, and high-end finishes that are light and bright, with windows everywhere offering breathtaking views 24/7!

The canyon itself includes 13,000 square feet of landscaped terraces, which, along with the organic curved structural elements, blurs the line between nature and architecture. As one ascends the canyon, each level of the building reflects a different Colorado ecosystem. The foothills, desert, mountains, and alpine plateau are all represented through distinct plantings and design elements that evoke the essence of each region. At every turn, breathtaking views of the city and mountains reinforce the seamless connection between nature and urban living.

Our second stop was an ADA unit, featuring 30-inch counters, wide corridors and doorways, and incredible high-end appliances designed at the right height for wheelchair users. This was my favorite part of the tour, as I quizzed my students on ADA code issues, dimensions, and features—and this group passed with flying colors!

One of our favorite features was how they were able to bring the Colorado landscape into the space. In the common areas, stunning glass coffee tables were created from the root balls of enormous maple trees that had died and been removed from Wash Park. In the lobby, a three-ton boulder found in the foothills anchors the desk. Outside each apartment, custom address numbers sit vertically above a planter featuring beautiful freeze-dried plants, which require no care or water but bring life into the corridors.

This building has achieved FitWell certification, which emphasizes the mental and physical health of the occupants—one of only about 1,000 buildings to achieve this prestigious new standard for urban living.

Before yesterday, we had seen the building from afar and studied it through slides in an architect's office, but there was no comparison to a live walk-through! I'm just sorry that we didn’t get a bigger crowd—but those of us who came had a BLAST!

I feel so blessed to be able to explore Denver architecture alongside my students as the faculty liaison to our ASID chapter. Bonding with students who are as passionate as I am about architecture and design really makes my job worth going to every week!