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Long before it became politically correct, Colorado-based
firm OZ Architecture utilized green, sustainable spaces in
its projects across the United States.
JIM BERSHOF, OZ ARCHITECTURE, DENVER
Sustainability, green living and eco-friendly are no strangers to Colorado-based OZ
Architecture. The firm integrated these concepts into its projects long before the terms
existed. OZ is the first architectural firm to design a resort village — Lake Tahoe’s Village
at Northstar™ — to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
"Around 1990, the National Park Service hired OZ to do national sustainability design guidelines," explains Jim Bershof, AIA, President of OZ, Denver Studio. "
That infused our company with an understanding of how important that kind of approach is to architectural design."
At Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Prairie Learning Center in Iowa, opened in 1997, OZ
incorporated passive solar, recycled materials and products manufactured nearby. "Many of
these practices are used now as part of sustainability endeavors."
VISIONARY CONCEPT OF ELITCH GARDENS
"Our clients have brought us along," Bershof adds, reflecting on projects that took initiative with
sustainable elements. The conversion of Elitch Gardens to Highlands Garden Village, led by
visionary developer Jonathan Rose and Chuck Perry of Perry Rose, LLC, for example, recycled
acres of concrete into road base for the new community’s streets. OZ continues to be involved
with Perry Rose in local sustainable affordable housing projects.
The growth of green consciousness has been significant. "I don’t think we realized how
pervasive it would be," Bershof says. "Today, almost every client wants some kind of LEED
certification."
At The Village at Northstar, sustainability elements are evident throughout, from
buildings situated to capture natural light to bus transit systems. Many other components
are evident only to sustainable experts like David Schafer, AIA, principal of OZ.
A key concern was minimizing the impact of the resort development on Lake Tahoe’s
water quality. Natural alternatives for controlling and filtering water runoff, such as pine needle bio-swales, and other measures
were implemented. The effect of light pollution
on viewing the night sky was another concern
alleviated by a subtle element — fixtures that aim
artificial lighting down.
"Our biggest success," Schafer states, "was balancing priorities from various
entities and making the case that we could develop a resort in a sustainable way."
A VARIETY OF PROJECTS
In addition to resort work, OZ provides architectural, planning and interior design
services for a range of project types including schools, libraries, affordable housing,
mixed use, office buildings and more. Two recent projects are ZiLOFTS in downtown
Denver and the Global Healthcare Exchange
(GHX) in Louisville.
ZiLOFTS exemplifies mixed-use urban
design. OZ designed the seven-story modern
structure to fit into the historic context of the
Ballpark neighborhood. For example, the waveshaped
design of the building cap relates to the
metal arches crowning Coors Field.
The building includes street-level commercial
space, loft/condominiums and two-story
penthouse residences. Nicknamed "townhomes
in the sky," these top units are built upside
down, with the dining room, kitchen and living
area on the top floor. To meet height requirements,
the firm stepped back the roof line by
designing expansive rooftop terraces. With the
living area on the same floor as the private
terrace, townhome residents can fully appreciate
the great views.
The Global Health Exchange project, 2008
winner of ASID Award, Commercial Space Over
35,000 square feet, entailed comprehensive
interior design services. "The firm does not
have a design style," states Kathy Janack, the
project’s lead interior designer. "We put our
clients’ point of view first and foremost.We take
their image and functional space requirements
and create the design that meets their needs."
OZ redesigned a 23-year-old building into
headquarters for the dynamic company. Located
on a hill with panoramic views, the structure
formerly housed office space and light manufacturing.
GHX wanted the main entry moved to the
back side of the building. This required site
work, a circular drive and new entry vestibule.
WARM, PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
To create a warm, functional, professional
environment with flexibility for growth, the OZ
design team stripped the building to its shell.
Key challenges included designing effective
lighting and coordinating the varied ceiling
heights to pull the interior spaces together. In
addition, every effort was made to put conference
rooms and closed offices in the center of
the floors and work stations on the perimeter
with views. The interior design brings excitement
into the space with form. For example, a
leaf-shaped stone fireplace that soars to the
high ceiling of the large café area, and leafshaped
light elements float overhead.
Bershof sums up: "We are able to do a wide
range of project types because of the wide range
of talented people who work at OZ. We bring a
real level of excellence to our design work."
Published in Colorado Expression Architecture & Design of the West, Fall 2008
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