The Project
Located in Denver’s historic LoDo (Lower Downtown) neighborhood, the Alliance
for Sustainable Colorado is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming
sustainability from vision to reality. The Alliance Center, a hub for innovation and
learning, is an integral factor in realizing that goal. By providing shared workspaces to tenants working on sustainability issues, the Alliance Center aims to connect nonprofits, businesses and community leaders, encouraging the cross-pollination of ideas and collective action.
Housed in a 1908 structure first renovated in 2004, the Alliance saw a need to update its facilities in 2014 in order to make more efficient and effective use of space. Gensler was commissioned as architect to design an open, flexible and light-filled multi-tenant Center that would link tenant groups and promote interaction. Teknion and its dealer Citron Workspaces worked closely with the Alliance to develop planning concepts and furniture solutions to support tenant productivity, collaboration and well-being.
Sharing a strong commitment to sustainability, the relationship between Teknion and the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado has been maintained for nearly a decade. The Alliance was an early specifier of Teknion’s FSC-certified wood furniture and corn-based textiles—and valued the company’s expertise in creating healthier workplaces. Teknion recognized the Alliance as a strong collaborator and a leader in preserving the natural environment. Mutual values created a strong working partnership, with sustainability and optimized human and organizational performance as primary drivers.
The first historic building worldwide to earn two LEED certifications (Gold for Existing Buildings and Silver for Commercial Interiors), the Alliance Center has registered the project with the U.S. Green Building Council with the certification goal of LEED Platinum for Existing Buildings Operation and Maintenance. Anna Zawisza, Executive Director of the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado notes, “The Alliance Center is now a global sustainable building model where people from around the world can visit to learn and understand best practices in building sustainability and human productivity.”
A five-story, 41,356-square-foot (3840 m²) building, the Center is comprised of open, light-filled workspaces, private offices and collaborative lounge areas, as well as 16 glass-walled conference rooms equipped with occupancy sensors and integrated lighting, audiovisual and HVAC controls. An event space on the main floor accommodates up to 200 people for cocktails, banquets and other special events. Tenants share office resources and amenities such as a coffee kiosk, wine bar, indoor bike storage and showers.