Holy Chic! A Divine Redesign for Denver’s Most Iconic Nightclub

Last week was unforgettable!

I had the immense joy of watching my students present their conceptual designs for brand-new restrooms at one of Denver’s most iconic venues: The Church Nightclub. Housed in a former Episcopal church built in 1865, The Church is a legendary nightlife destination, known for its soaring vaulted ceilings, stained-glass windows, and Gothic architecture. It’s a space where history and hedonism collide—and now, thanks to this amazing opportunity, my students got to leave their creative mark on it.

They absolutely nailed the presentation.

The staff loved their ideas, and I couldn’t be prouder. Even better, there’s a real possibility I’ll get to help bring the vision to life and see the project through to completion.

The Opportunity

This all started when my department chair approached me with a unique opportunity: to collaborate with the new owners of The Church and Club Vinyl—both recently acquired by Insomniac Clubs. These two venues have been pillars of Denver’s cultural and nightlife scene since the 1980s, and the new ownership is committed to honoring their legacy while elevating the experience.

Because our students aren’t licensed professionals yet, we proposed a conceptual design package—something that would allow them to engage in real-world research, collaboration, and client presentation, without the liability of a full construction project. The Church team was on board.

Real Clients, Real Constraints

Our first step was a site visit. Shockingly, for most of my students, it was their very first one! We took measurements, snapped photos, and met with the staff to learn about their needs—and their concerns. The bathrooms currently feature terracotta tile, harsh fluorescent lighting, and absolutely no trace of the moody, gothic energy the rest of the venue is known for.

But here’s the challenge: The club is only closed four days a week, Monday through Wednesday. That doesn’t leave a lot of room for demolition or major construction. So, the students had to think creatively—and practically. Their solution? Concretta: a concrete overlay that installs directly over existing tile. It’s waterproof, vandal-proof, comes in 40+ colors, and is easy to repair if damaged. In short, it’s “drunk-proof”—a term we found ourselves using a lot during this project!

The staff shared some hilarious horror stories: patrons trying to swing from chandeliers, steal framed art, or otherwise test the limits of gravity and decor. So framed art was a no-go—but murals were encouraged. Chandeliers? Not this time. Durability, maintenance, and safety became key parts of the design strategy.

Design Meets Function

After the programming meeting, the students dove into research. They found affordable beveled mirrors and gothic-style sconces for the vanities. They even suggested an infinity mirror in one of the restrooms to create a perfect spot for selfies. One of the most fun ideas? A faux screen overlay on the stall doors to make them look like confessionals—a cheeky nod to the venue’s ecclesiastical past.

Lighting was a huge priority. The staff wanted to enhance the atmosphere but still be able to see what needs cleaning after a long night. The students proposed layered lighting: low-level ambient fixtures, red neon accents, wrought iron sconces, and a “flip switch” bright mode for cleaning and maintenance.

Throughout the process, the students collaborated beautifully. Everyone had a role: brainstorming, sourcing materials, drawing plans, writing the presentation outline, and presenting to the client. It was a true team effort—and an amazing hands-on experience in a venue they all know and love.

What’s Next?

This experience gave my students a chance to stretch their creativity, learn how to work within strict constraints, and present professionally to a real client. And I’ll be honest—I learned a lot too. Seeing their energy, humor, and resourcefulness reminded me why I love this work.

Now, we’re crossing our fingers that we get the green light to take the next step and bring these designs to life.

Stay tuned for updates—we’re just getting started.