A Window Into Populus Denver's Eye-Opening Design with Studio Gang and Amrize

When aspen trees shed their lower branches, they leave behind dark, eye-shaped marks on the trunk. Visitors to Populus Denver, neighboring the Aspen-dense Colorado mountains, might recognize the shape.

“We took inspiration for the shape of the windows from the aspen tree to give guests an incredible window shaped like their place, shaped like the nature of that place and a way to connect with the outdoors through that framed view,” says Studio Gang’s Principal of Publications and Exhibitions, Alissa Anderson.

Based in Chicago, Studio Gang has built its architecture portfolio by connecting nature, people, and place. The undulating balconies of Chicago’s Aqua Tower recall the waters of Lake Michigan. Glacial erosion informed the canyon-like galleries of New York’s Richard Gilder Center.

In the latest episode of our CAB Voices video series produced in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Biennial, we explore the vision and materials that made Populus an urban icon that’s at one with nature.

A room with a view helps solve the challenge of Populus’s small, awkwardly-shaped site

Architect Juliane Wolf sits in a full-scale, eye-shaped bench mockup at Studio Gang’s Chicago Architecture Biennial exhibit — backed by a floor-to-ceiling photo of an aspen grove.

At Studio Gang’s Biennial exhibit, visitors could sit inside a full-scale mockup of one of Populus’s window benches — just like architect Juliane Wolf does here.

Low-angle view of Populus’s white, eye-patterned concrete facade against a clear sky in downtown Denver.

Populus Denver’s facade is wrapped in rows of eye-shaped windows, drawn from the markings left on aspen tree trunks when they shed their branches.

Aerial view of Populus’s rooftop terrace, with seating, a green roof, and Denver’s street grid below.

The hotel’s rooftop terrace and green roof sit atop its scalloped crown.

Close-up of Populus’s precast concrete fins, their curved edges casting deep shadows.

Each fin is cast and finished individually — a level of sculptural detail that’s easy to miss from the sidewalk.

A wider aerial view of Populus’s rooftop terrace and green roof, looking down toward the street.

The green roof provides habitat even thirteen stories up.

Populus’s upper floors and green roof, framed by blurred tree branches in the foreground.

The rooftop greenery, framed by the very trees that inspired the facade below.

Building Populus did not come as naturally as its organic beauty would suggest. The site was small, explains design principal Juliane Wolf, yet Studio Gang wanted to make the rooms as generous and interesting as possible. “We realized that one of the tools to do that is to have a window that is interesting but occupiable.”

The hotel’s three window types include one with a bench you can sit on, one with an archway you can stand in, and one with a lower window that gives you a view outside when you’re lying on the bed.

Challenge number two was the hotel’s triangular site, Juliane explains. “Concrete was an obvious structural material to use to make the geometries work. But we also wanted to make sure we reduced the embodied carbon as much as we could.”

Amrize’s ECOtect™ line was the natural answer. Says Nollaig Forrest, Amrize’s Chief Marketing & Corporate Affairs Officer, “Our ECOtect advanced concrete achieved 30% lower C0₂ emissions while delivering 100% structural performance. This contributed to the building’s LEED Gold certification. To be part of enabling the first net positive hotel build in North America was exciting for all of us at Amrize.”

How to visit Populus without setting foot in Denver

Two visitors at Studio Gang’s Biennial exhibit point to artwork on the wall.

Visitors explore Populus’s Denver context at Studio Gang’s Chicago Architecture Biennial exhibit.

A person wearing a red sweater provides commentary to a group of listeners at an architecture studio.

Studio Gang’s Archivist and Librarian, Andi Altenbach, shows guests some of the architectural models in the exhibit.

Studio Gang’s Alissa Anderson is interviewed on camera in front of a hand-milled maple model of Populus’s facade.

Alissa Anderson, Studio Gang’s Principal of Publications and Exhibitions, in front of a scale model of Populus’s facade milled from solid maple.

At the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Studio Gang created a Populus experience for those who might never visit the hotel. There, you could sit in a replica window, touch the mushroom leather used in the interior, and interact with an architectural model that was put together piece by piece—just like the hotel.

“I remember the first time I saw Populus finished,” says Alissa, “and it's actually the same reaction that many people have when they walk into this exhibition, which is: Is this real?”

Back in Denver, Populus has lived up to its mission of connecting people with their communities, environment, and each other. The venue has become an informal gathering spot for the blocks around it, welcoming neighbors and guests alike.

“When a project feels that it belongs to them, to the place where they are, to the climate, to the landscape, that’s successful to us,” says Alissa.

Meet the experts

Alissa Anderson

Principal of Publications and Exhibitions and Partner , Studio Gang

Part of the Studio Gang team since 2009, Alissa works closely with Jeanne Gang to develop books, exhibitions, research, and similar initiatives that bring the Studio’s work and ideas to myriad audiences. She also partners with the team’s archivist to curate Studio Gang’s growing collection of models, sketches, and other design records.

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Juliane Wolf

Design Principal and Partner , Studio Gang

Juliane designs and promotes built structures that serve the community and the environment. A registered architect, she brings expertise in designing sustainable spaces, complex visitor-serving organizations, towers, and large-scale international projects. Juliene’s award-winning projects include the Writers Theatre and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.

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