Dynia Architects: Kabin MERIT AWARD Kabin is a response to the urban workforce housing crisis in Denver. Located on the Taxi campus in the River North (RiNo) Arts District, this four-story multifamily residential building includes 178 studio units and 16 two-bedroom units. The 420-sq. ft. studio units provide housing for those looking for urban living at an affordable rate. Each unit includes operable glass garage doors that open the living space to gardens, fresh air, and mountain and city views while taking advantage of Colorado’s 300 days of sunshine per year. Nordic-inspired interiors are flooded with daylight. Polished concrete floors and natural cedar cladding give the loft-like apartments the comfort of a cabin amidst an industrial context. Kabin is the newest residential addition to the Taxi campus; a 28-acre former Yellow Cab depot transformed into a mixed-used community over the past 20 years. Kabin’s site is a long, narrow strip sandwiched between an active rail yard and a regional transportation facility. Despite this seemingly compromised location, the rail yard guarantees permanent, uninterrupted mountain views and the narrow site allows for maximum light infiltration into the building. The resulting building contains 194 efficient units that address the urban workforce housing crisis, which was amplified by the pandemic. Kabin contributes to the cultural fabric of Taxi by connecting residents to its 28-acre, mixed-use community. Known for its business incubation with creative companies, the Taxi campus provides its several hundred residents with hotel amenities, including two incubator culinary concepts, community gardens, a pool, an early childhood education center and plenty of green space. Kabin engages in practices of environmental reclamation and stewardship. The site was a brownfield that required an environmental clean-up coordinated with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Safety’s Voluntary Clean-up Program. Green stormwater features treat and control stormwater runoff, while sustainable landscape features minimize the heat-island effect. Finally, efficient apartment layouts utilize natural light and ventilation to minimize energy usage while providing the resident with a connection to the outdoors. Location: Denver, CO Size: 66,500 sq. ft. (site), 110,000 sq. ft. (building) Category: Residential
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