Recap: Denver After Dark: Urban Barriers & Connections Lecture

This presentation provided an inside look at the development of standards and guidelines for exterior lighting and urban redevelopment. There was a look at how these are applied to several projects across the Denver metro area including bridges and hardscape areas to create resources for all visitors. The presentation then took a deeper dive into one the largest urban redevelopment projects Denver has ever seen with The River Mile project. This 62 acre project will revitalize the South Platte River, bring the river back to its original condition and help to manage the floodplain for responsible development. The presentation highlighted the process and character development master plan for lighting to provide a forward look at pedestrian-vehicular uses for the next 30 years.

River Mile Background

The River Mile is one of the largest interior redevelopment projects the City of Denver has ever seen. This 15 million sq ft redevelopment will transform the site, including the revitalization of a one mile stretch of the South Platte River to provide a new urban mixed-use neighborhood in the downtown area of Denver. This presentation will provide a general overview of The River Mile project with a special focus on the lighting and its integration with the site, landscape and infrastructure. This will include a lens on the process to incorporate character, lighting, landscape and river access with forward thinking through a 25 year development process.

River Mile Panelists:

Brennan Schumacher, Lighting Design Practice Lead – Mazzetti

Brennan leads Mazzetti’s growing global Lighting Design Studio which delivers dynamic lighting solutions that are technologically-advanced, environmentally responsible and promote human health. He has presented for the Smithsonian Institute, the Department of Energy, at Green Schools conferences, Sustainable Living Fairs and several branches of USGBC. He continues to educate clients and colleagues through accredited presentations and classes on Sustainable Lighting Design and Human Health.

Tyler Kiggins, PLA, LEED BD+C – Landscape Architect

Tyler brings over seventeen years of professional experience as a landscape architect. He has assisted on a broad range of project types from concept and schematic design through construction for projects at all scales. Much of his work has been in the public sector including streetscape improvements, public parks and river corridors, and institutional and university campuses. In addition to his professional experience, Tyler has also taught design courses at the University of Colorado Denver and the Rhode Island School of Design. Tyler is currently the Wenk Project Manager for The River Mile River and Development work in Denver, Colorado.

Trails and Bridges Background

Explore the planning and development over the past 25 years of Denver’s Central Platte Valley and riverfront along the South Platte River that has transformed an industrial corridor into a destination for locals and visitors. Trails and bridges have established new community connections, improving pedestrian and bicycle accessibility to public transit and destinations like Denver Union Station and 16 th St Mall, as well as providing iconic structures that contribute to the character of Denver. Lighting design plays a critical role for Denver After Dark, creating vibrant and public spaces at night, while applying responsible outdoor lighting strategies that protect urban wildlife habitat while supporting safer environments for pedestrians and cyclists.

Establishing lighting strategies and city-wide standards that balance safety, character, equity and responsibility provides a framework for quality outdoor public spaces at night. See how these strategies and standards apply to projects such as Denver Union Station, 16 th St Mall, Arkins Promenade, South Platte River Trails, Broadway Station Bridges, and more.

Trails and Bridges Panelists:

Dane Sanders joined Clanton & Associates, Inc. in 2002. With strong design and technical skills in lighting, daylighting and controls, Dane approaches challenging projects with inspired and innovative designs. Several of his projects are LEED certified, including six LEED Platinum projects. His project experience includes museums, exhibits, art galleries, convention centers, commercial interiors, streetscapes, and urban design. He is a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Colorado Illumination Engineering Program for daylighting, lighting controls, and advanced lighting design and detailing. He also speaks at lighting and energy conferences such as LightFair and Greenbuild.

Adam Rude, Senior Associate at SAR+, is an experienced, design-oriented architect, having completed projects across the country and in Asia. His experience ranges from net-zero energy single family residences to large urban developments, with a balanced focus between the details and the big ideas. He is focused on creating projects which meaningfully benefit their communities, and recently led the design of the Mercer Apartments project, as well as two multi-modal bridges which will serve the greater Broadway Station Development in Denver (Kentucky Bridge & South Pedestrian Bridge). Adam oversees all aspects of design and documentation on his projects and is driven by a desire to create sustainable long-term solutions to our world’s rapidly growing cities, and a belief that design can make the future a better place to live than today.