MAD's Latest Project Features a "Cracked-Open" Facade
Inspired by the surrounding Colorado landscapes.
MAD Architects has completed a project in Denver, which features a design detail in the form of a cracked facade.
The mixed-use building, named “One River North”, rises over 16 stories, and is set in the center of the River North Art District (RiNo).
The surrounding landscapes of Colorado, in particular its foothills and canyons, provided much of the inspiration for the design, which MAD principal Ma Yansong describes as blurring the boundaries between the urban and natural environments.
To create the so-called “Canyon” detail, the architects aimed to evoke a shape that looked to have eroded naturally over time. As well as helping the building become a visual landmark, the Canyon creates a series of landscaped terraces.
In between these terraces, water features have been installed to further connect residents to the feeling of being in nature. Planting has been chosen to reflect the biomes of Colorado and will adapt and change along with the seasons.
Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco, Vic Ryan And Tal+bai Yu
Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco, Vic Ryan And Tal+bai Yu
Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco, Vic Ryan And Tal+bai Yu
Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco, Vic Ryan And Tal+bai Yu
Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco, Vic Ryan And Tal+bai Yu
Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco, Vic Ryan And Tal+bai Yu
Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco, Vic Ryan And Tal+bai Yu
Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco, Vic Ryan And Tal+bai Yu
Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco, Vic Ryan And Tal+bai Yu
Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco, Vic Ryan And Tal+bai Yu
Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco, Vic Ryan And Tal+bai Yu
In total, One River North provides 187 rental units, which are spread across 15 floors. There is also a large retail space on the ground floor, to provide residents with walkable amenities.
Right up at the top is an Alpine-inspired roof terrace, which features a pool, spa, and garden with full views of the Rocky Mountains and the Denver skyline.
“Imagine living in a building yet feeling as though you’re immersed in a natural landscape—like living within a canyon itself,” says Ma Yansong. “Imagine our three-dimensional urban spaces, where high-rise office buildings and high-rise hotels introduce sky gardens, canyons, and waterfalls. In this vision, the future city is not just made of concrete boxes anymore; it becomes a place that integrates and connects people with nature.”
