December 2021
Nice article in 5280 on this years Y/OUR Denver Photography Competition including a photo captured by Alan Ford of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science using an iPhone 12.
Alan Ford’s shot of the west side of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science won Best in Show in this year's Y/OUR Denver photography competition.
Alan Ford Architects wishing you Happy Holidays!
Check out this article by the Boulder newspaper, The Boulder Daily Camera on our newly completed Lyons Middle/Senior School Auditorium!
Vocal music and drama teacher Allison Zema, left, leads the choir during a rehearsal for the December concert at the new Lyons Middle/Senior Auditorium on Monday. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)
Source: Boulder Daily Camera
Published: 12-6-2021
Author: Amy Bounds
Lyons Middle/Senior High students got their first chance Monday to practice in the school’s new auditorium as they prepare for holiday concerts. Kasey Knapp, a senior who first performed on the school’s original stage in the cafeteria in fifth grade, said her initial reaction to the new space was “wow.” She’s in the school’s band, choir and drama programs and will play the lead in the spring musical. “I just got in there and jumped up and down,” she said. “I’ve been hearing about it since sixth grade. It’s way better than I ever imagined it would be. Performing on that stage, especially my senior year performances, is going to be so much fun.”
Principal Andrea Smith said school leaders wanted an auditorium that met not just the student’s needs, but also those of the community. The new building will be the town’s only large auditorium space. “We have so many fine arts in our community,” she said. “There are lots of smaller programs that want to use our auditorium.”
The exterior and main entrance of the new Lyons Middle/Senior Auditorium is seen on Monday. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)
Through bond premiums, interest on bond money and unused contingency funds on other projects, the district was able to increase the auditorium’s original $4.2 million budget to about $9.2 million. The school surveyed the community before starting the design process in September 2019 with Alan Ford Architects. Construction, led by Golden Triangle Construction, started in October 2020. The stage spans about 2,700 square feet and is “sprung” for dance, while the whole auditorium addition is about 16,000 square feet. The new space will seat 418 people and includes a front row of removable seats to accommodate a pit for musicians. “It’s Lyons, so we didn’t want it to have a cavernous feel,” Smith said. “We wanted something with a warm, intimate feel. It’s just beautiful.”
The auditorium has its own entrance and a ticket booth, as well as a professional level control booth, catwalk and theatrical system. All the lights, including the spotlights, are LEDs, allowing for easy color changes. The project included money for power tools to give students more options for set building. “Educationally, we wanted it to be a state-of-the-art, innovative space,” she said. Windows give a view of Lyons, while power shades create a partial or full blackout. The aggregate for the ground concrete floors is from Cemex, while the sandstone used on the walls is from Blue Mountain Stone, both local to Lyons. The primary wood used, from the stage to the seats, is a warm maple. The addition also includes a sandstone plaza that can be used as an outdoor lunch space and outdoor classroom.
Sophomore Jack Johann, who plays in the band and jazz band, said he was impressed with all the additional space, including room in the wings for instruments to allow for easy changes from the smaller jazz band to the larger full band during performances.
“It���s amazing,” he said. “I’m really excited to play there.”
Read the full story on Boulder Daily Camera
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Featured in Denver Architecture Foundation, our very own Alan Ford was awarded BEST IN SHOW for his photograph of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science! Here is the featured image:
Click here to check out "Y/OUR DENVER" Photography Exhibit 2021
November 2021
The Denver Post did a feature story today 11/30/21 on the repurposing of the Johnson & Wales Campus. The project includes relocating the DPS Denver School of the Arts High School to four of the existing campus buildings. Alan Ford Architects is proud to be collaborating with Semple Brown Design on this exciting community centric project.
Denver Johnson & Wales campus already transforming under new owners
25-acre former college in South Park Hill hosting culinary programs, K-8 school, affordable housing up next
Photo by Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Source: The Denver Post
Published: 11-30-2021
Author: Joe Rubino
Five months after Denver Public Schools, the Denver Housing Authority and nonprofit Urban Land Conservancy teamed to buy the 25-acre Johnson & Wales University property in northeast Denver, change is starting.
A pair of affordable housing projects are in the planning stages for the former dorm buildings on the property, located at 7150 Montview Blvd. A major expansion of the Denver School of the Arts on the campus’ west side also is on deck. That project is expected to allow the school to grow by between 500 and 700 students and prioritize students of color and low income families, officials said when the sale closed in June.
The work follows pledges from Johnson & Wales representatives last year that the university would prioritize buyers dedicated to supporting the surrounding neighborhood. Even before construction crews get started on those projects, new public benefits are starting on the historic property. Jorge de la Torre, formerly the dean of the culinary program at Johnson & Wales, joined nonprofit shared kitchen and food business incubator Kitchen Network when that organization opened a location on the campus this summer.
Kitchen Network in turn brought in organizations including Work Options, a nonprofit job training program focused on helping people with criminal records and those who are homeless develop kitchen skills, and starting an apprenticeship program with the Rocky Mountain Chefs of Colorado. Partnerships with more than a half-dozen other nonprofits and local restaurant companies are also in place and a 24-hour commissary kitchen is expected to open on the campus early next year, de la Torre said.
“The silver lining is (the campus) just gets a second life to be available to people who may not have been able to afford a Johnson & Wales education,” he said. “We can just reach a larger population.” Erick Garcia, Kitchen Network’s chief operating officer, said the nonprofit has 150 monthly active users and helped launch more than 60 new businesses this year, as of November. With its Park Hill location, Garcia hopes to triple those numbers over the next five years, reaching a new well of clients on the east side of the city, many of them Spanish-speaking.
Across from the culinary arts building, the campus’ historic
Centennial Hall is providing St. Elizabeth’s School with room to grow.
The K-8 private Episcopal school, with 140 students, now has the space to double in size, director of finance and operations Kim Johnson said. Part of the school’s mission is to be “intentionally inclusive.” Its student body is 49% students of color and 83% of students get discounted tuition. School leadership saw the Park Hill campus as an opportunity to work alongside organizations with similar values and goals, Johnson said.
To read the full article please click here
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The COVID-19 delayed Grand Opening of Porsche Littleton was held November 12th at a star studded (people and cars alike) event. Beautifully done. Alan Ford Architects is proud to have been part of this projects.
Please clink on the image to watch the video from Porsche Littleton!
Source: Porsche Littleton Facebook
October 2021
Breaking ground on the new DPS greenhouse, we are excited to be part of this project! Also, see the 9News article below.
New DPS greenhouse will grow food for students
The new five-acre greenhouse will be the first of its kind in the nation.
Credit: Denver Public Schools
Source:9 News
Published: 8-6-2021
Author: Mallory Davis
DENVER— Denver Public School (DPS) students will soon be able to enjoy fruits and vegetables grown in the district's own commercial greenhouse. DPS officials broke ground on the five-acre, $4 million project Tuesday.
The new greenhouse, which should be plant-ready in late spring 2022, is the first of its kind in the nation to grow "salad bowl" items for students. DPS Food and Nutrition Services team members will start with cherry tomatoes and tomatoes on the vine. Then they will move on to other vegetables and fruits like leafy greens, peppers, cucumbers and strawberries. Any excess produce will be sold to other regional school districts and retail/wholesale buyers, said DPS.
Credit: Denver Public Schools
DPS Food and Nutrition Services began the greenhouse effort more than six years ago. It is being financed by grants from Healthy Food for Denver Kids and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with bond funding from Denver voters and other district funds.
Read the full story on 9News
We are a approaching the completion of the Brady Exploration School Addition/Lobby!
August 2021
Beautiful drone shots from our contractor, The Lyons Middle/Senior Auditorium is only a couple of months away from completion!
Check out the progress made on the Brady Exploration School Addition / Lobby!
June 2021
We are excited to welcome Angelina Gonzalez and Filimon Alvarez to our Alan Ford Architects team!
April 2021
Construction is progressing on the Lyons Middle/Senior Auditorium addition. Here is a drone shot from our contractor, Golden Triangle Construction showing the auditorium in the foreground.
Phase I construction of the Brady Exploration School is underway and below is the site of the future addition/lobby. Check back for updates as the construction ramps up!
February 2021
Construction is wrapping up on our renovation project at DPS South High School. Here are images of the revamped counseling center and front office.
Construction continues on the Lyons Middle/Senior Auditorium addition!
September 2020
Our firm keeps growing—welcome to the AFA family Natalie, Vera, Jude and Luke!
August 2020
Construction at Stevinson Porsche is complete! The Littleton dealership is now open for business.
June 2020
AFA's team of educational facilities experts has gathered research to help guide school administrators on adapting to social distancing recommendations in the wake of a pandemic. Our first article focuses on site access in an educational context. Stay tuned for future issues addressing circulation, classroom distancing and miscellaneous spaces.
Educational Facilities Design: Covid-19 Prevention and Management in K-12 Schools
Construction at Stevinson Porsche is nearing completion!
April 2020
COVID – 19 Update
Alan Ford Architects is taking specific measures to protect the health and safety of our employees, their families, our clients and communities while maintaining the level of service you have come to expect from us. AFA has fully transitioned to working remotely.
- AFA has the technology to effectively continue working remotely and we anticipate the ability to continue our normal workflow without interruption.
- We are dedicated to consistent collaboration and our project managers will stay in communication with clients and consultants as normal.
- Client and consultant meetings are being conducted remotely via Zoom, conference call or other digital means.
We empathize with the challenges and hardships everyone is now facing and wish everyone the best of health. As we navigate these uncertain times, we are committed to continue to address the needs of our clients and consultants.
March 2020
Work is starting on Phase I of the Brady Exploration School project! AFA developed a master plan for improvements based on the 2018 Jefferson County School District Bond and we are moving forward into Schematic Design.
January 2020
AFA is excited to be partnering with CSHQA on several renovation projects recently awarded by the Emmett School District in western Idaho! Located in the scenic Valley of Plenty, the Emmett School District is one of three original charter school districts and was established before Idaho became a state. It is comprised of Gem County and a small portion of Boise County and serves approximately 2,600 students.
November 2019
Design of the Early Childhood Center at Golden's School of Mines is taking shape, check out fly-throughs of potential options:
School of Mines ECE Center (one-story video)
School of Mines ECE Center (two-story video)
October 2019
Twelve years after its initial publication, Alan Ford's Designing the Sustainable School has been recognized as one of the 10 Best Books on School Design of 2019.
https://www.thoughtco.com/books-on-school-design-178284
September 2019
We are happy to welcome Anshu Darbari to AFA! Anshu is enrolled in the Master of Urban Design program at the University of Colorado-Denver and holds an undergraduate degree in architecture. She has four years of professional experience as a registered architect in India and has been involved in various projects from conceptual development to designing and detailing.
Denver Public Schools has awarded two bundles of renovation work to Alan Ford Architects. Scope of the work will take place at numerous schools within the district.
AFA has started work on a master plan and building/site improvements for Brady Exploration School in Lakewood, CO.
AFA has partnered with RDG Architects to design a new ECE Center for Colorado School of Mines in Golden. Work is underway!
July 2019
Construction is coming along at Stevinson Porsche!
June 2019
Alan Ford Architects is pleased to announce a $5 million theater project at Lyons Middle/Senior High School to start this fall.
Construction is in full swing at Stevinson Porsche!
We are excited to announce that Gabe Robinson has joined the Alan Ford Architects team! Gabe joins us after receiving his Masters from UCD. Welcome to the team Gabe!
February 2019
The Montbello High School Cafeteria and Student Commons Remodel is coming along!
CSHQA and Alan Ford Architects are excited to start a master plan and feasibility study for Rocky Mountain SER to convert Spann and Somerlid Elementary Schools to accommodate ECE in Pueblo, Colorado.
January 2019
Breaking ground on Stevinson Porsche!
December 2018
AFA is happy to welcome Mercedes Chaparro to our staff! She started in November, moving from Washington DC to Colorado.
September 2018
AFA is happy to welcome Bryan Sapp to our staff! He started this June helping out with a busy summer. We are also excited to announce a new project with Denver Public Schools, working on Montbello High School. Also in the works, multiple automotive projects...stay tuned!
August 2018
If you head up to Long's Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park be sure to check out the student projects by one of our own's design-build class (Colorado Building Workshop)! Intan and her classmates designed and fabricated backcountry privies for the park.
May 2018
Congratulations to Hayden School District, which was awarded a BEST Grant which follows the passing of their local bond measure in the fall of 2017! The district is now poised to move forward with the $61,000,000 project! Alan Ford Architects headed up the Hayden School District master plan which began May 2016 and concluded with the BEST grant application in March of 2018.
Alan Ford Architects has begun work on a preliminary master plan for Trinity Catholic PK-8 school in Tallahassee, Florida to help in shaping a vision for the campus. April 2018 AFA helped to host the Early Childhood Education Design Conference, April 26 - 27th, in Denver, Colorado. Check out the website for more information.
Early Childhood Design Conference
March 2018
AFA is excited to welcome Heather Morrow to the team! Alan Ford Architects is currently helping to plan the Early Childhood Education Design Conference, taking place April 27th. Check out the website for more info: Early Childhood Design Conference
September 2017
Alan Ford Architects is excited to welcome Tyler Michieli to the team! Tyler is a Colorado licensed architect with experience in higher education, PK-12 and residential design.
August 2017
Alan Ford Architects is awarded an AIA 2017 Design Award for Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity Duplex! The project is Located in Kittredge, Colorado and is the winner of multiple design awards, being included as 1 of 6 projects to receive Best in State. Check out these links for information about our awards and the other winners:
AIA Colorado Design Awards 2017
Mile High Acre News
Alan Ford Architects, along with the architectural firm CSHQA, is awarded the master planning project for Sierra Grande School District.
June 2017
Alan Ford Architects celebrates its 10 year anniversary on June 1st! Informal gathering at Blue Moon Brewery.
May 2017
Student Intan Yokelson joins Alan Ford Architects from CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning!
February 2017
We are excited to welcome Whitney Grant and Jesse Sherr to Alan Ford Architects! Jesse comes to us from Berkeley College of Environmental Design and Whitney is a graduate of Mississippi State University College of Art and Design.
January 2017
Construction documents for the historic Staunton State Park cabins are completed.
November 2016
Studiotrope in association with Alan Ford Architects was selected for two projects with school district 27J: Overland Trail Middle School and Northeast Elementary School. OPENair Academy at the Stanley Marketplace is opened for students.
September 2016
Alan Ford Architects was awarded the campus master plan for the Denver Waldorf School.
June 2016
Construction has begun on the Stanley OPENair Academy ECE and is expected to be completed in November of this year.
May 2016
Alan Ford Architects, P.C. has been awarded the Hayden School District Facility Master Planning project. This project will assess the current educational facilities in Hayden, Colorado and help the school district accommodate their future needs.
April 2016
Alan Ford Architects along with ECE design partners, and A4LE hosted the fourth annual international Early Childhood Design Conference with over 250 attendees from across the USA and Canada.
February 2016
We are pleased to welcome Amanda Spice and Dennis Brunner to Alan Ford Architects! Amanda recently moved to Denver from Richmond, Virginia where she worked for Gresham, Smith & Partners. Dennis is a graduate student at CU Denver who will be completing his Master of Architecture degree in December.
January 2016
Colorado State Parks has selected Alan Ford Architects to create the historic structures rehabilitation plan for 7 structures in the Staunton State Park Historic Landscape District.
Alan Ford Architects is currently collaborating with our ECE Design Partners in planning the 2016 Early Childhood Education Design Conference at Auraria Campus. DECEMBER 2015 The recently completed Kim School held their grand opening celebration this month and will begin hosting classes in January.
