tres birds – 3330 Larimer St. Denver CO
24.07.09
reuse reclaim recycle
this is tres birds workshop hierarchical approach to Architecture / Building
3330 Larimer was an unoccupied concrete industrial storage building when we started our manipulation of it this month. Primarily, we are opening up the structure to the Sun. We started by demolishing a 50ft x 12ft opening on the Larimer St. façade to gather solar heat in the winter and provide day lighting all year. Luckily for the future occupant there are views of the Rocky Mountains through this new opening. Next, we punctured the roof with ten 2ft diameter holes to allow day lighting on both floor levels. Why all the concrete cutting, roof puncturing, and effort for day light? We are doing it for the health of the humans that will work there. 93% of Americans daily life is indoors. Sunlight is different from artificial light. It possesses the full spectrum of colors within its rays which provides us with health.
Over the next month we will be insulating the building, installing high efficiency electric powered cooling and lighting, and making the interior bright white. This once dark / energy gluten will become light and nimble. Building operations in America account for 75% of our countries electricity use. That bothers me as a participant in making buildings. We will be making our own electricity on site to run the cooling, plug loads (computers/ tools/ task lighting) , and artificial lighting for the night owls. A rooftop 20Kwh solar photovoltaic system will run this 12000 sq ft building on Larimer St.
I think this project is a good example of how we Americans should be developing this country into the future. We need to take existing buildings that are empty and not working and insert day light, heating / cooling efficiency, and energy production on site.
Revitalize what we have.
I would like to end our sprawl into agricultural lands now and minimize our use of natural resources.
reuse
Category: Design, Energy, Politics
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MMM and tres birds workshop are very important. I love you, and your work, and your ideas and look forward to riding fixed gear bikes on dirt trails with you in 24 minutes.
July 24, 2:06 pm C13 – 1/3 – Todd B.Awesome Mike. Looks like some serious progress at the site. We can’t wait to paint our 100′ x 24′ mural on the side!
July 24, 2:28 pm C13 – 1/3 – Lucian FNice! I’m right by there, I’ll have to check out the site on one of my rides. Sounds awesome!
July 24, 2:35 pm Justin ClineBeen watching this go down… Mike, wonderful form & function work as usual.
July 24, 6:09 pm Scot Lefavor