We've been working on a design for this site in Honolulu for months, so we're pleased that it's finally public. The project application has been accepted by the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting and it is well along in the entitlement process.  The hotel operator is expected to be announced within a few weeks.

From our project narrative: 

Mana’olana Place | Luxury Hotel and Residences will be an instrumental catalyst in the continued revitalization of the Ala Moana Neighborhood.  The tower will include ground level retail spaces, a 125-room five-star luxury hotel and approximately 109 branded condominiums culminating in a signature restaurant and bar 400 feet above the adjacent street level.

The Mana’olana Place tower is envisioned as a modern, vertical interpretation of an indoor-outdoor sense of place and connection to the landscape embodied in the concept of lanai.  Our vision for its character began with the warm and soft tones of a wooden building softened with landscape from ground to the uppermost levels.  Terraces and balconies provide deeply shaded areas and views from these lanai frame views and create pleasant contrast and variety.  Design details will reflect a modern interpretation of a tropical environment mixed with subtle Asian influences. And at every step, gardens are woven into nearly every front-of-house experience.

When complete, the 36 story tower will represent the first implemented project in the newly adopted Ala Moana Transit-Oriented District.  With a floor area ratio of 10:1 in anticipation of the planned light rail-serviced neighborhood already anchored with the Hawaii Convention Center immediately across the street and the largest mall in the state —Ala Moana Center—located within a five minute walk, Mana’olana Place will catalyze an already diverse and active Honolulu neighborhood and will become a unique and recognizable interpretation of the tropical high-rise typology.

More information about the project is available at its page. This is only one of several projects we're working on in Hawaii, so keep an eye out for more to come!

Out standing in the field at Crozier Mountain.

We believe it's important to take a step back from time to time; gain a little distance, re-evaluate. With that in mind, we whisked the office up to Glen Haven for a 24 hour whirlwind of spirited discussion, goal-setting, and bonding. We accomplished a lot, but we'll leave ourselves a little more time next year.

In the meantime, back to work!

We're proud to be a part of AIA Colorado's Architecture Month 2016! Check out our office tour below and see more at their facebook page or website.  

As part of the series, which celebrates architecture and the people who make it, Randy and Jason were also interviewed about their interests and responsibilities:

AIA Colorado: Why did you decided to become an architect?

Randy:  As a little kid, I lived in a house and neighborhood in Germany that always had some kind of construction in progress and I liked hanging around the workers while they made places.  I started drawing houses and constructing elaborate Lego buildings around the age of eight so I guess I have been on course for about 42 years!  I still play with Lego…

Jason: My father and grandfather were constructors; because of this I had a different view of buildings as a child. For me, buildings were about people coming together to create something that didn’t exist before. Architecture is the first step in that process and is where I found my passion.

What is a typical day like for you? Run us through your day-to-day responsibilities and “to-do” lists.

Randy:  Make breakfast for my wife and sons, find work, listen to our clients, make sure we do the work the best we can, sketch, erase, sketch, run along the Poudre River, write, call, critique, eat dinner with my family, read, sleep, start over.

How you find inspiration for your projects? 

Randy:  Place drives everything. I can’t imagine a solution until I understand the site, the climate, the user. 

What are the biggest challenges you face throughout a project?

Jason: Communication. Whether it is communicating with colleagues, clients or contractors, Architecture is about communicating ideas.

What do you enjoy most about being an architect?

Randy: Every day brings new challenges and no project is ever the same so there is a constant need to learn and grow.

Jason: It is never boring.

What has been your favorite project to work on?

Randy:  The next one that comes in the door.

Jason: We have recently been working on a couple of 400’ tower projects in Hawaii that are quite fun.

What is your favorite building in Fort Collins? In Colorado?

Randy: In Fort Collins, the Ranchway Feeds building—it is all muscle and no pretention built over a hundred years.  In Colorado, Balcony House at Mesa Verde: a great view, a water source and a railing.

Jason: Danforth Chapel at CSU.

How do you spend your free time?

Randy: I love introducing my boys to new experiences and places.

Jason: Traveling with family, fly fishing and spending time at the family cabin.

We love to show off the space, so don't be intimidated by the rat-rod exterior and come visit us at 405 Linden Street!

[au]workshop architects+urbanists, the American Institute of Architects Colorado North 2015 Firm of the Year, has promoted  three professionals who are helping design a growing portfolio of projects in northern Colorado, California, Hawaii and internationally.

“These promotions recognize the growing responsibilities of our dedicated and talented architects and designers as we continue to grow into new markets and increased project scale,” said [au]workshop’s Design Principal Randy Shortridge, AIA, LEED AP.

Promotions include: Brian Betsill, AIA, LEED AP (Senior Associate), Arlo Schumann, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP (Associate) and Spencer Lindstrom, Assoc. AIA (Associate).

Betsill is a project manager with more than ten years of experience on academic, civic, residential and commercial projects. Schumann, who has over 14 years of professional experience, is a project architect responsible for the execution of [au]workshop residential, hospitality and mixed-use projects. Lindstrom, an architectural intern who recently received his Master of Architecture degree from Rice University, is involved in most of the firm’s varied design work.

“Each of these guys have been key to our growth and wellbeing and we are proud to have them as part of our team,” added Jason Kersley, AIA, LEED AP, [au]workshop’s Managing Principal.

Please feel free to visit our leadership page for more information on our team.

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Happy 2016 to all of our wonderful clients, collaborators, and friends. We just want to say "Thank You!" for your continued patronage and support. It was a wonderful surprise to be named the AIA Colorado North Firm of the Year in 2015, and we look forward to creating lots of beautiful things with you in the year to come!

[au]workshop is very surprised to announce that we have been named the 2015 AIA Colorado North Firm of the Year!

At a ceremony last night in a building designed by firm members, [au]workshop architects+urbanists was announced as the award recipient as selected by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Colorado North Board of Directors.  The Firm of the Year recognizes an AIA-member firm that has contributed to the profession and has set an example in design, service and leadership to AIA Colorado North, a region that includes Boulder, Greeley and Fort Collins.

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The presentation was made at Loveland’s Rialto Theater Center—a building designed by Brian Betsill and Randy Shortridge while with a previous firm.  The award is particularly gratifying as [au]workshop, founded in Fort Collins by Shortridge and Jason Kersley, has only been in operation since 2013-- less than three years.

Currently designing projects in Northern Colorado, Southern California, Hawaii and Thailand, [au]workshop creates quality, authentic architecture and catalytic urban, civic and commercial projects with a focus on projects that sustainably invigorate neighborhoods and cities. 

We're pleased to announce that our much-belabored (and beloved) building sign was selected as the 2015 winner of the Urban Fragments category of the Fort Collins Urban Design Awards!

The "Urban Fragments" category was defined as "a single, small-scale piece of a building or landscape that contributes significantly to the quality of the public realm." In our submittal, we discussed the sign's subtle scale and materiality, it's sustainable features, strategies for graceful aging, and it's presence as an urban object and catalyst for the River District's continued renewal.

You can read more about the design and construction process at the project page and the original blog post.

Accolades are always rewarding, and although we enjoyed the process tremendously, it's also nice to know that other people like the end result as much as we do. 

Thank you Fort Collins!

We are pleased to announce that [au]workshop's recently-completed Block One project has just received two local and state awards!

First, Bock One was selected as a 2015 winner in the Architecture category of the Fort Collins Urban Design Awards, which has celebrated and advocated for great urban spaces of all sizes since its inception in 2006.

Serendipitously, the project was also selected as the Best New Addition to a Downtown, in the major city category of the 2015 Downtown Colorado Inc. Governor's Awards for Downtown Excellence, which similarly recognizes projects with a positive community impact.

If you'd like to find our more about the project, please check out the project page here. And, please feel free to join us for a presentation of the project at the Urban Design Awards ceremony on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Midtown Arts Center at 3750 S. Mason Street. 

Though the architecture and urban design is it's own reward for us, we are of course thrilled that the project has received these accolades. The community's response to the completed project has been overwhelmingly positive, and it is thoroughly exciting to see the public share our passion for great urban spaces and architecture. 

Thank you to Fort Collins and Downtown Colorado Inc!

The leaves are changing, and it's beginning to feel like fall, but here at the office we've been holding onto summer by designing a number of different pool houses for various clients. We're excited about the possibilities of such a fun and layered program, so we thought we'd share a few of them and how they're shaping up!

The first is currently just a sketch for an apartment complex leasing office and clubhouse. It's a strongly axial form that spans across an olympic-length linear pool, providing customizable degrees of sun and shade, and a highly recognizable silhouette. 

Our second project is part of a mixed use district in Thailand; we were asked to develop a rooftop bar and "beach" that would draw a diverse population to enjoy the views of Bangkok's skyline. A glass-enclosed VIP zone provides a luxury experience, while an infinity-edge pool, glass-bottomed overlook, and a really-big-tree mean that there's something for everyone. 

The third project is at a more evolved stage, but is still early in schematic design. We've worked closely with the client to understand their needs for a uniquely nesting program. Working around an existing building, we designed around the existing pool equipment to avoid the costly process of moving water lines, while also meeting myriad criteria for security, safety, privacy, functionality, and efficiency. 

Our solution is simple, but nuanced: to maximize efficiency, the building is split into two halves: a winterized portion, that serves the tennis facilities year-round, and a summer-only portion that serves the pool. A "cut" into the corner of the plan then negotiates between the tennis court axis and the angled pool axis, allowing the building to serve and be welcoming to both. 

Pool Side

A cut in the building form allows both for a change in axis, orienting the building to the pool, and for a covered seating area.

Entrance

We sought a relatively blank facade with just a hint of the excitement within. 

Schematic Floor Plan

A "cut" into the corner of the plan negotiates between the tennis court axis and the angled pool axis, allowing the building to serve and be welcoming to both. 

To maximize efficiency, the building is split into two halves: a winterized portion, that serves the tennis facilities year-round, and a summer-only portion that serves the pool. 

We've been really enjoying the highly charged mix of programs and activities that pool houses offer, so if you're interested in learning more about these projects, or if you'd like to pursue a similar project, please feel free to get in touch with us!

[au]workshop is pleased to announce that the Strategic Growth Bancorp Headquarters in Old Town Albuquerque has won an Engineering News Record Southwest Best Project award in the Interior/Tenant Improvement category!

An article about the project and award is available on the ENR Southwest website. Please also see our own project page for more information.

[au]workshop worked closely with The Mall Group and a wide-ranging design team to develop the recently-completed EmQuartier, particularly in regards to space planning, circulation, and interiors. Below is the article from Monocle (click to enlarge). Be sure to check out our Facebook page for a shot of the facade-wrapping projections in action!

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[au] is presently working with The Mall Group to design the third pillar of the Em District: Emsphere, so more to come soon!

[au]workshop is excited to announce the hire of our newest team member: Mr. Nathan Pepper. 

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Nathan, a designer, is a recent graduate of University of Colorado Denver, where he received his Master’s of Architecture degree. During his time at UC Denver, Nathan was a Design Excellence Award winner for his Comprehensive Studio design project, and also won a Young Architects Award (YAAG) in the Architectural Craftsmanship category for his outstanding model craft. Going forward, his primary architectural interest is in cultivating a productive relationship between design, site, and context.

Outside of architecture, Nathan enjoys spending time in the mountains with his wife Kristin, being a new dad to a baby girl, and partaking in various endurance sports.