Interior Environments

Interior Environments

Originally, this building was Denver Fire Department’s Engine House Number 5, as can still be seen in the engraved stonework above what is now the main entry for Interior Environments. Interior Environments purchased and began renovating the building in 2018. Before this, the old fire house was occupied by architecture firm SlaterPaull. They also renovated the building after they purchased it in 2010. Prior to these two owners, this site was a functioning fire house for decades, closing in 1981 nearly 60 years after its construction.

It is a 13,000-square-foot, two-story red brick structure with glazed terra cotta insert detailing and an imposing bracketed cornice over its taller section. The lower section of the building is a single story and holds large street level windows that provide plenty of natural light to reconfigured interior spaces.

SlaterPaull’s renovation was as much restoration. The Colorado Office of Energy provided grant money for work that included rehabilitation or replacement of masonry, windows, door and window openings, and funds for roof repair. The firm based their restoration work on historic photos to maintain accuracy and respect for the historic significance of this important part of Denver’s civic history.

Additionally, many sustainability improvements were made during the renovation. Chilled beam technology that uses radiator-like equipment to actually cool surfaces within the building, photovoltaic solar panels and recycled building materials were some of the strategies that allowed this building to be certified as the first LEED Platinum historic building in the state.

References
SlaterPaull Architects to convert old fire station into HQ. (May 20, 2010). Denver Business Journal. Retrieved from https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/05/17/daily47.html.
Emrich, R. (1983). Architectural and Historical survey of Downtown Denver Lower Downtown Volume 1 Denver inventory Form (ID No. 5DV 47.086). Denver, Colorado.
Voelz Chandler, M. (2013). Guide to Denver Architecture. Denver, Colorado: Fulcrum Group.
Denver architectural firm SlaterPaull a pioneer in green design. (2012, September 3). The DenverPost. Retrieved from https://www.denverpost.com/2012/09/03/denver-architecturalfirm-slaterpaull-a-pioneer-in-green.

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