Article Summary:
- Populus hotel aims to be the nation’s first “carbon positive” hotel, meaning on net it will remove more carbon dioxide from the air than it emits.
- The hotel indicates it accomplishes this in part by planting 70,000 new trees in Gunnison County, Colorado.
- Drawing inspiration from Colorado`s native aspen forests, Populus aims to immerse visitors in a woodland atmosphere through multi-faceted artistic and design elements.
- The hotel is scheduled to open this summer in downtown Denver, situated at Colfax and 14th Street opposite the Denver City and County Building.
Environmentally-conscious visitors to Denver now have a new option to lessen the carbon impact of their trip – while still enjoying luxurious travel.
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The building`s architectural and interior design aims to reduce environmental impact. Strategic partnerships will offset carbon emissions from construction and operations.
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Additional initiatives with forest and farming groups will sequester more carbon than what Populus will discharge during its lifecycle.
“We are very proud of our commitment to make Populus the first carbon positive hotel in the country,” said Jon Buerge, president of the real estate development firm Urban Villages.
To minimize its environmental impact, the developer Urban Villages and manager Aparium Hotel Group have partnered with like-minded companies, such as the architectural and interior design firm Wildman Chalmers Design.
The award-winning studio emphasizes sustainability, as well as curated guests’ experiences. In particular, its recent project in Denver draws inspiration from the nearby Rocky Mountain landscape — specifically aspens, which proliferate in Colorado’s forests.
Scientifically referred to as populus tremuloides, these trees change to vibrant shades of yellow and orange in autumn. They’re also known for their thin leaves, which flutter easily in the wind and cast shifting shadows, in addition to the dark eye-like marks on their white trunks.
“We approached Populus’ design vision from an experience standpoint first — thoughtfully curating colors, textures, and shapes that not only look beautiful, but appeal to all of the senses and emotions, just as a walk through the forest would,” mentioned Heather Wildman, principal and design director of Wildman Chalmers Design.
To enhance its sensory experience, Populus will feature art curated by Colorado-based artist and environmentalist Katherine Homes. Selected pieces will demonstrate sounds and even smells associated with the outdoors.
Wildman`s written account continued, “By drawing inspiration from nature and collaborating with local artisans, we aim to create a strong connection between Populus` design and the surrounding earth and landscape. The end result will be a hospitality experience that is warm, inviting, and uniquely representative of Colorado.”
Here’s What to Expect Inside Populus
Ground Level: The Forest Floor
Populus hopes to transport guests to an aspen grove immediately upon entry. Its double-height lobby will feature windows of varying heights, each shaped like the eyes seen on aspen trunks.
Directly above the main doors would hang an artwork called The Reishi Tapestry.This expansive sculpture is crafted from approximately 500 sheets of Reishi, an eco-friendly leather substitute produced from mushroom root structures. The art installation would serve a dual purpose as a light source, providing a warm glow and even a woodland-like scent to the lobby.
A coffee shop area with seating at the counter and walk-up window will be on the right side. On the left, visitors will find an all-day dining establishment, which will add to thecity’s impressive variety of food options.
A wood-shingled divider made from reused beetle kill trees will background the reception territory. Reclaimed wood likewise shows up on the rooftop, supplementing the uncovered total seen in the lobby’s dim stained solid floor.
Populus was constructed with ECOPact concrete, which offers emissions that are at minimum 30% lower than standard concrete.
“At Urban Villages, our measure of success is not just the projects we build; it’s gauged by how well we’re stewarding the real estate industry towards a greener future,” stated Urban Villages co-founder and CEO Grant McCargo in a recent press release.
He further commented, “By demonstrating how projects can utilize creative solutions like low-carbon concrete to decrease carbon emissions, we’re laying the foundation for other developers to replicate and help leave our planet in a better state.”
Second Floor: The Understory
The second level of Populus draws inspiration from the undergrowth of a forest. In nature, this is where seedlings, shrubs, and young tree saplings emerge just above the forest floor.
Here, visitors can enjoy a variety of public meeting spaces, which can also be booked for private events. The neutral color scheme will be complemented with splashes of copper, mossy greens, and oceanic blues.
Earth-inspired colors will feature in artwork and furnishings, many custom-made by interior design firm Fowler. Materials were consciously sourced.
Guest Room Levels: The Trunk and Branches
The core of the building symbolizes the trunk of a tree. Its dark, quiet ambiance will contrast the connected 265 guest rooms, each of which will be flooded with natural light.
Aspen eye-shaped windows will offer spectacular views of the city and the Rocky Mountain foothills. In several rooms, the windows extend into a curved, cushioned recess. Seated here, the experience is akin to lounging in a hammock outdoors.
Guests will also listen to sounds of nature while moving between floors. Inside the elevator, local bird vocalizations will vary by time and season, mimicking the genuine momentary chirps one would notice in a close forest. The novel installation was developed by Colorado-based conservationist Jacob Job, who documented the bird songs in Rocky Mountain National Park.
“In forming Populus’ art collection, we were committed to ensuring that every piece chosen has a meaningful story that connects guests both with the local culture and with the natural surroundings,” said Homes.
In a statement to Travel Lemming, she added, “The more one connects with nature, the more one understands it and wants to preserve it. Our hope is that Populus helps give a voice to the wild and inspires people to spend time outdoors with a renewed appreciation for the earth.”
Rooftop: The Canopy
Immersion in nature continues on the 13th floor `canopy` area. Here, visitors can dine at the rooftop Populus restaurant, outdoor bar, and private dining room, taking in panoramic views.
This level also features a series of hospitality suites with mountain perspectives, as well as a garden terrace. It’s complete with lush landscaping and an upper-level deck, offering unblocked views of city highlights including the gold-domed Colorado State Capitol and Civic Center Park.
“The hotel’s nature-focused design and art program bring the great outdoors directly into the thriving urban center of Denver, providing guests and locals the best of the Mountain West in a memorable, inspiring way,” said Aparium Hotel Group founder and CEO Mario Tricoci.
In conclusion, he states that “Populus’ exceptional interiors combined with thoughtful programming will ensure it remains a must-visit destination for 2024 and the years that follow.”
More information can be found on the Populus website. You can also plan your trip to Denver using Travel Lemming’s guide to lodging options in the city.
(Featured Image Credit: Studio Gang)
