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Arcat Detailed Podcast Episode
110: Light Gauge Steel | Park 17
58m 39s |
In this episode, Cherise is joined by Anthony Valerio, Senior Associate (Project Manager) and Noah Bentley, Associate (Project Architect) at Valerio Dewalt Train in Denver, but also with offices in Chicago and San Francisco. They discuss the Park17 building, a mixed-use development in Denver.
Park17 is an elegant 8-story development in Denver’s City Park West, blending modern living with the city's vibrant urban fabric. This mixed-use building, designed by Valerio Dewalt Train and developed by Kairoi Residential, utilizes modular, prefabricated metal stud walls––part of a light gauge construction system–– speeding up the building process without compromising design complexity.
Park17 is an elegant 8-story development in Denver’s City Park West, blending modern living with the city's vibrant urban fabric. This mixed-use building, designed by Valerio Dewalt Train and developed by Kairoi Residential, utilizes modular, prefabricated metal stud walls––part of a light gauge construction system–– speeding up the building process without compromising design complexity.
Photo Credit: Tom Harris, Valerio Dewalt Train
Noah approaches his projects head first and is always looking for the logic that makes all the pieces fit together. He believes there is a practical, designed solution to every problem and an efficient technical workflow to get there.
During his experience at VDT, Noah has worked closely with clients, consultants, and design teams to help deliver creative solutions for a wide range of projects including multiple tech company offices in California and Colorado, Edison at RiNo Apartments, and Park 17 Apartments.
His passion for creative thinking spans more than buildings -- it filters into finding the most fun line on his snowboard or that perfect, precise spot to land a fly on the water.
Anthony’s work balances passion with efficiency to meet his clients’ needs, while making space for creativity to thrive.
As a Senior Associate and San Francisco site lead, he has served as the project architect for multiple tech campuses and the Project Manager on the Park & 17th residential project.
He was the project architect for the Rita Atkinson Residences, which earned a national honor award from SCUP and a Design Honor Award from AIA’s California Council and AIA Chicago.
A fourth-generation graduate of the University of Michigan, he enjoys playing and watching a variety of sports, and sharing stories with friends over glasses of fine whiskey.
Park17, located in Denver’s City Park West neighborhood, is just blocks away from the medical campus on the periphery of downtown Denver. This mixed-use development meets the ground floor with commercial space that serves the 17th Avenue’s acclaimed ‘restaurant row.’ With 190 units and a wide range of amenities. The residence offers modern living in the thriving and rapidly developing city of Denver in Colorado.
Although the site was originally home to a low-rise office building, it was a figurative blank slate. The developers, Kairoi Residential, had high aspirations for the building.
Their early yield studies planned for parking and multifamily housing of approximately 150 units. Designers at Valerio Dewalt Train (VDT) creatively navigated various zoning ordinances and setbacks, which ultimately drove the development of Park17’s multifaceted form.
Its 8-story height skirts below the City Park View Plane, a local ordinance in place to protect the mountain views as seen from City Park. Meeting the lot line on two primary streets, Park Ave and 17th St, the volume recedes in the mid and upper portions, carving exterior balconies for its residents. The outcome of the shape is ultimately both aesthetic and efficient, pushing the final unit count to 190.
The inhabitants of this neighborhood are a specific type: A downtown office worker slash wine connoisseur. A medical professional by day, and a foodie by night. Kairoi Residential and Valerio Dewalt Train took these factors into consideration when designing what would become Park17.
These potential residents needed to view the building as a high-end residential choice, flush with the typical amenities—a pool and outdoor amenity deck, a fitness room, and a club room—to name a few. With large interior glazing, high-end finishes and breathtaking views of the city, Park17 embodies the idea of luxury urban living.
Natural light was a key consideration. The slotted wall motif found in the balconies was repeated in the parking garage, allowing perforated light to fill its five levels. And inside, there was special thought to wayfinding and circulation—natural light fills the corridor running alongside Lafayette Street, helping to orient residents and visitors making their way through the building.
One aspect of the design no longer visible to residents and onlookers is structural.
Park17 is the second building in Denver designed by VDT to use a modular, load-bearing metal stud wall system. These cutting-edge prefabrication techniques significantly sped up the process of construction, and have once again exemplified its benefits.
Yet from the exterior, the building’s complexities in geometry and program appear simple and taut. At 97-feet, it stands sleek, with high-contrast bronze and white metal finishes, creating an aesthetic meant to appeal to passersby and elevate the local environment.
The higher level of articulation and refinement, pairs well with the ideal, sophisticated tenant and adds character to a rapidly developing neighborhood.
Noah Bentley, Associate, Project Architect on Park17, Valerio Dewalt Train.
Noah approaches his projects head first and is always looking for the logic that makes all the pieces fit together. He believes there is a practical, designed solution to every problem and an efficient technical workflow to get there.
During his experience at VDT, Noah has worked closely with clients, consultants, and design teams to help deliver creative solutions for a wide range of projects including multiple tech company offices in California and Colorado, Edison at RiNo Apartments, and Park 17 Apartments.
His passion for creative thinking spans more than buildings -- it filters into finding the most fun line on his snowboard or that perfect, precise spot to land a fly on the water.
Anthony Valerio, Senior Associate, Project Manager on Park17, Valerio Dewalt Train.
Anthony’s work balances passion with efficiency to meet his clients’ needs, while making space for creativity to thrive.
As a Senior Associate and San Francisco site lead, he has served as the project architect for multiple tech campuses and the Project Manager on the Park & 17th residential project.
He was the project architect for the Rita Atkinson Residences, which earned a national honor award from SCUP and a Design Honor Award from AIA’s California Council and AIA Chicago.
A fourth-generation graduate of the University of Michigan, he enjoys playing and watching a variety of sports, and sharing stories with friends over glasses of fine whiskey.
Project Name and Location: Park17 – Denver, Colorado.
Park17, located in Denver’s City Park West neighborhood, is just blocks away from the medical campus on the periphery of downtown Denver. This mixed-use development meets the ground floor with commercial space that serves the 17th Avenue’s acclaimed ‘restaurant row.’ With 190 units and a wide range of amenities. The residence offers modern living in the thriving and rapidly developing city of Denver in Colorado.
Although the site was originally home to a low-rise office building, it was a figurative blank slate. The developers, Kairoi Residential, had high aspirations for the building.
Their early yield studies planned for parking and multifamily housing of approximately 150 units. Designers at Valerio Dewalt Train (VDT) creatively navigated various zoning ordinances and setbacks, which ultimately drove the development of Park17’s multifaceted form.
Its 8-story height skirts below the City Park View Plane, a local ordinance in place to protect the mountain views as seen from City Park. Meeting the lot line on two primary streets, Park Ave and 17th St, the volume recedes in the mid and upper portions, carving exterior balconies for its residents. The outcome of the shape is ultimately both aesthetic and efficient, pushing the final unit count to 190.
The inhabitants of this neighborhood are a specific type: A downtown office worker slash wine connoisseur. A medical professional by day, and a foodie by night. Kairoi Residential and Valerio Dewalt Train took these factors into consideration when designing what would become Park17.
These potential residents needed to view the building as a high-end residential choice, flush with the typical amenities—a pool and outdoor amenity deck, a fitness room, and a club room—to name a few. With large interior glazing, high-end finishes and breathtaking views of the city, Park17 embodies the idea of luxury urban living.
Natural light was a key consideration. The slotted wall motif found in the balconies was repeated in the parking garage, allowing perforated light to fill its five levels. And inside, there was special thought to wayfinding and circulation—natural light fills the corridor running alongside Lafayette Street, helping to orient residents and visitors making their way through the building.
One aspect of the design no longer visible to residents and onlookers is structural.
Park17 is the second building in Denver designed by VDT to use a modular, load-bearing metal stud wall system. These cutting-edge prefabrication techniques significantly sped up the process of construction, and have once again exemplified its benefits.
Yet from the exterior, the building’s complexities in geometry and program appear simple and taut. At 97-feet, it stands sleek, with high-contrast bronze and white metal finishes, creating an aesthetic meant to appeal to passersby and elevate the local environment.
The higher level of articulation and refinement, pairs well with the ideal, sophisticated tenant and adds character to a rapidly developing neighborhood.
Project Team List:
- Owner/Developer: Kairoi Residential
- Architecture Firm: Valerio Dewalt Train
- Podium/Foundation: Big Red Dog Engineering and Consulting
- Superstructure: Prescient
