Between January and September 2024, Dubai welcomed over 13 million visitors, cementing it as one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations. The city has no shortage of lavish hotels, but, for those living in the city full-time, a new highrise condominium may offer a similarly luxurious experience.

Designed by HKS Architects in collaboration with Ginco Properties, One Residence is a 30-story tower with 453 units, ranging from cozy studios to high-end penthouses. Each apartment boasts expansive views of the city, effectively dissolving the boundaries between inside and outside. In addition to showcasing Dubai’s remarkable skyline and nature, these units also integrate spacious floor plans and climate-sensitive features to enhance comfort.

The building also prioritizes well-being through its large outdoor areas alongside a host of amenities, including an infinity pool, fitness center, co-working spaces, cinema, and children’s play area.

What distinguishes One Residence from other luxury condominiums, however, is its striking copper-clad facade. Circular balconies cascade across the building, generating a curvilinear effect that resembles rippling water or sand. Led by Brad Wilkins, formerly of HKS, the design concept mimics Dubai’s sweeping sand dunes and the nearby Persian Gulf, creating yet another connection to the UAE’s singular landscape.

Al Sadu weaving also serves as an inspiration for One Residence’s facade given its local significance. A symbol of Arabian heritage, the craft blends geometric patterns with bold colors, and has traditionally served as decorative accessories for camels and horses.

Nestled in downtown Dubai and only steps away from iconic landmarks, One Residence emphasizes the UAE’s unique characteristics as architectural focal points.

One Residence is slated to be completed by 2027. To stay updated on the project, visit the HKS website.

Designed by HKS Architects, the One Residence condominium tower in Dubai is slated to open in 2027.

The building boasts an innovative copper-clad facade with circular balconies, mimicking Dubai's sweeping sand dunes.

One Residence will feature a host of luxury amenities, including large outdoor spaces, a fitness center, a children's play area, and an infinity pool.

Apartment units will also have expansive views of Dubai, its skyline, and its singular nature, diminishing the boundaries between inside and outside.

HKS Architects: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Ginco Properties: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos from HKS.

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READ: Copper-Clad Condominium Facade Cleverly Mimics Dubai’s Sweeping Sand Dunes

Photo: Pieter Rabijns.

In the 20th century, the border between Dilsen-Stokkem and Maasmechelen in Belgium radically transformed. The area withstood years of coal and gravel mining in its subsoil, which created two terrills—large piles of mining waste materials— and, later, a large pond between them. Now, the Belgian architecture firm BuroLandschap presents a clever solution to bridging the gap between these mountains.

Inspired by the Fibonacci sequence or “golden ratio,” the “Cycling Between Terrils” bridge assumes an elegant, organic shape, connecting the banks not with a straight line but with one that snakes across the water. This winding structure encourages cyclists and pedestrians to traverse the bridge slowly, all while taking in an exquisite range of natural views.

The bridge measures an astounding 400 meters (about 1,312 feet), cementing it as Belgium’s longest floating bicycle bridge. It also boasts 30 hinged elements, allowing it to effectively adjust to the pond’s changing water level.

In these ways, “Cycling Between Terrils” certainly serves a practical role, but its responsiveness to its surrounding landscape is what distinguishes it from being purely functional. With its graceful curvature and flexibility, the bridge invites visitors to indulge in the area’s rich industrial history and its contemporary popularity among cyclists and hikers.

“[The bridge] spreads through the impressive landscape, where it interweaves with its surroundings,” BuroLandschap writes in a statement. “When you walk or bike across the bridge as a visitor, you are drawn into the experience and surprised by the connection between man and nature that comes to life there.”

To explore more of their architectural projects, visit BuroLandschap’s website and follow the firm on Instagram.

The “Cycling Between Terrils” floating bridge in Belgium celebrates the rich industrial history of its surroundings.

Photo: Visit Limburg.

Photo: BuroLandschap.

Designed by BuroLandschap, the bridge weaves through a pond that separates two mining terrils from the 20th century.

Photo: BuroLandschap.

Photo: Pieter Rabijns.

Photo: Pieter Rabijns.

With its winding and organic design, the bridge encourages cyclists and pedestrians to slow their pace and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Photo: Pieter Rabijns.

Photo: Pieter Rabijns.

Measuring an astounding 400 meters, the bridge also adapts to rising water levels thanks to 30 hinged elements.

Photo: Pieter Rabijns.

Photo: Pieter Rabijns.

“Cycling Between Terrils” is fantastically responsive to its unique landscape, and serves as a magnificent piece of local Belgian architecture.

Photo: Pieter Rabijns.

Photo: Terhills.

BuroLandschap: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by BuroLandschap.

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Architect Antony Gibbon has given a stylish twist to the cozy treehouse, conceiving a dreamy winter getaway. His project, Burl Treehouse, follows Gibbon's mission to marry innovation with sustainability in designs that cede the reflectors to their natural surroundings. Drawing from organic shapes, the Burl Treehouse concept reminds us that minimalist design doesn't have to be sober, but can instead serve as a vehicle for whimsy.

Set in a wintry forest, the spherical treehouses appear to float several feet above the forest floor. To create the illusion, the pod-like structures are supported by vertical stilts and suspension cables anchored to the neighboring trees. This brings harmony between a need for a safe, reliable structure and keeping the environmental impact at a minimum. The treehouses can be entered via a timber suspension bridge that connects to an entrance door.

The name and shape of the Burl Treehouse is owed to tree burls, rounded outgrowths and bumps that grow on tree trunks. The exterior of the Burl Treehouse is decorated with cladding made of burnt wood shingles using the Japanese technique of shou sugi ban, which gives them their dark color. This not only improves their durability and weather resistance, but adds to the visual element by contrasting with a white landscape.

Inside, a circular window at the center connects the treehouse with the outdoors, offering unbeatable views of the forest. The interiors feature light-toned cedar and ash wood to create a warm and cozy atmosphere that serves as a refuge and a respite from the freezing temperatures. Each cabin has a bedroom with built-in storage, a small bathroom with a shower, and other fixtures that are meant to help the dweller make the most out of the limited space.

Ultimately, the modular design of the Burl Treehouse can accommodate a variety of layouts. With this, its uses open up, from glamping to tiny housing in more rural settings. Overall, any experience will be enhanced by the charm of feeling like floating over a dream-like scene. To stay up to date with the architect's projects, visit Antony Gibbon's website.

The Burl Treehouse, created by Antony Gibbon, gives a stylish twist to the cozy treehouse, conceiving a dreamy winter getaway.

Drawing from organic shapes, the Burl Treehouse reminds us that minimalist design doesn't have to be sober—but can instead serve as a vehicle for whimsy.

Set in a wintry forest, the spherical treehouses seem to float several feet above the forest floor.

The modular design of the Burl Treehouse can accommodate a variety of layouts, so it could be used for glamping to tiny housing in more rural settings.

Antony Gibbon: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Antony Gibbon.

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READ: Shingled Spherical Treehouses Perched in the Forest Offer a Dreamy Winter Getaway

Nature-inspired architecture has been around for centuries, but a new restaurant concept incorporates the theme to its very core. Designed by Thilina Liyanage, who often creates architectural visualizations and mock-ups, the Nelumbo Restaurant concept unfolds like a blooming lotus flower.

The floating restaurant gracefully merges architecture and nature through its floral conceit. Composed of three distinct levels, the restaurant is crowned with a canvas roof that fans out delicate petals, serving as an elegant, lightweight, and weather-resistant covering.

The restaurant itself is composed of bamboo, a renewable material renowned for its natural strength and flexibility. Paired with its organic forms, Nelumbo’s bamboo structure offers further proof of its sustainable and naturalistic design.

Beyond being architecturally innovative, Nelumbo is intended to be a multifaceted dining experience. Nelumbo’s first level serves as the main restaurant, while the second features a bar, perfect for cocktails and socializing. The restaurant’s top floor houses a relaxing coffee shop, topped with a glass dome skylight.

The restaurant’s visual allure, however, becomes most apparent in the evening. With its interior fully illuminated, the restaurant casts a subtle glow across the water. The resulting reflection effectively blurs the boundaries between the built and natural environment, strengthening the lotus imagery that originally inspired Liyanage’s concept.

“Nelumbo aims to create a harmonious blend of innovative architecture, sustainable materials, and diverse dining options, all while offering patrons a unique experience that connects them with the natural beauty of its waterfront setting,” Liyanage explains.

Liyanage used the 3D model and visuals programs Sketchup and Vray 6 to create his Nelumbo renders. To discover more of his exciting projects, visit Liyanage’s Behance profile.

Nelumbo Restaurant, an architectural visualization by Thilina Liyanage, unfolds like a blooming lotus flower.

The restaurant is a multi-level culinary experience with three floors, each dedicated to a different mood and atmosphere.

Nelumbo Restaurant becomes even more stunning at night, with its interior lights casting a soft glow across the surrounding water.

Liyanage has created many different concepts inspired by nature, including an elephant-shaped safari villa, a jellyfish restaurant, and a swan meditation pod.

 

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Thilina Liyanage: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Thilina Liyange.

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For the first time in its 154-year history, New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art is getting a new wing designed by a female architect. Mexican architect Frida Escobedo will design the new Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing, which will house the museum's world-class 20th- and 21st-century art collection.

The MET has just released Escobedo's plans for the five-story wing, which will have over 70,000 square feet of display space. The open, airy gallery spaces have varying ceiling heights in order to provide the proper environment for a wide variety of artworks. Not only will the $550 million, privately funded wing add nearly 50% more gallery space, but it will also address a number of infrastructure and accessibility issues. This includes a marked improvement in how visitors circulate through the galleries, as well as additional elevators and ramps to improve accessibility.

Nestled into the existing museum’s 123,000-square-foot footprint, the wing will be no higher than the original height of the 1880 wing at the center of the Museum complex. Its limestone latticework façade gives the wing a distinct identity, while still allowing it to blend into the rest of the museum.

“Frida Escobedo’s extraordinarily inspired, deeply thoughtful, and dynamic design for the Tang Wing cements her standing as one of today’s most relevant architects,” says Max Hollein, The MET’s Marina Kellen French director and chief executive officer. “Escobedo’s elegant, contemporary design reflects not only an understanding of architectural history, materiality, and artistic expression but also a deep appreciation for The MET’s mission, collection, and visitors.”

Set to open in 2030, the Tang Wing will also feature a cafe and expanded outdoor terraces with views of Central Park. Another improvement is the relocation and expansion of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden, which will allow for more space for events and outdoor exhibitions.

“Our goal has been to create a building that fully meets the needs and aspirations of The MET, weaving together vital connections between the Modern and Contemporary Art galleries and other areas of the Museum and at the same time expressing the special significance of the Tang Wing’s place in the city,” shares Escobedo. “The wing is in New York, yet of the world; it reflects the global nature of this great collection and also draws inspiration from The MET’s unique surroundings. Such an ambition can be realized only through close and consistent collaboration. We are deeply grateful to our extraordinary partners at The MET and to all the members of the expert design team.”

The MET isn't Escobedo's only museum project. She has also been tapped to assist in renovating Paris' Pompidou Center. For that project, which will see the museum close for five years, she'll be working alongside French architecture studio Moreau Kusunoki.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has revealed the designs for the new Tang Wing, which will house its 20th- and 21st-century art collections.

Mexican architect Frida Escobedo has been commissioned for the project, making her the first woman to design a part of the museum.

Set to open in 2030, the $550 million project will see a nearly 50% increase in exhibition space.

“Frida Escobedo’s extraordinarily inspired, deeply thoughtful, and dynamic design for the Tang Wing cements her standing as one of today’s most relevant architects.”

Frida Escobedo: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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READ: Frida Escobedo Is the First Woman to Design a Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Japan is known for both its state-of-the-art skyscrapers and infrastructure and stunning natural wonders like Mount Fuji. Villa A, designed by teamSTAR, attempts to marry both worlds, bringing together modern looks with a very special brand of calm. In the process, they're spotlighting Japan as not only a destination for culture and technology but also one to take in wonderful seascapes.

Villa A is named after Akiya Beach in Yokosuka-city, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It is also located near the town of Hayama, the birthplace of yachting culture in Japan. Although spacious and luxurious, the villa doesn't stand up to the ocean; rather, it pays tribute to it through its design choices, including oceanic motifs and providing the dwellers with floor-to-ceiling windows to gaze at it.

At this villa, the first encounter with the sea doesn't happen by staring out of a balcony. Instead, it's a rather symbolic one. A spiral staircase that wouldn't look out of place in the narrow, pristine white towns of Mediterranean Greece, transports the inhabitants from the ground floor to the main area.

The most striking element of Villa A is its vaulted wooden roof. Shaped like a triangle, it is divided into four arches, evoking ocean waves. These later descend to meet the floor, providing shade to those venturing to sunbathe on the deck. At the same time, they address the different elevations of the sloped terrain. The only thing that beats the view of the sea from the living room is the one from the infinity pool, located strategically to make the most of its vantage point.

The design also responds to some unique challenges, such as its position on the slope of a southwest-facing hillside—something the architects had to think about when making ocean views the main element.

“In an effort to minimize effects on the environment, the level of the floor was made to follow the site’s natural slope, reducing the amount of soil needing to be removed and carried out,” writes teamSTAR. “This design gives rise to a myriad of interior vantage points, with the entrance, living room, dining room, loft area, and well-equipped kitchen each offering a unique ocean view from its elevation. Meanwhile, the emerald green floor evokes the colorful waters of reefs and shallows, and the color scheme on the main level gives the impression one is sailing on a yacht.”

Ultimately, Villa A is a seamless bridge between inside and outside. With additional touches such as a wood-burning sauna, an outdoor kitchen, and jacuzzi, it achieves teamSTAR's goal—to offer an oceanfront villa with the amenities of a resort.

Villa A, designed by teamSTAR, marries sweeping modern looks with a very special brand of calm.

Named after Akiya Beach in Yokosuka-city, Villa A overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

Although spacious and luxurious, the villa doesn't stand up to the ocean but rather pays tribute to it through its design choices.

The most striking element of Villa A is its vaulted wooden roof.

A spiral staircase that wouldn't look out of place in the narrow, pristine white towns of Mediterranean Greece greets the guests.

The design also responds to some unique challenges, such as its position on the slope of a southwest-facing hillside.

The ocean is ever present, whether through oceanic motifs or floor-to-ceiling windows to gaze at it.

The only thing that beats the living room's view of the sea is the one from the infinity pool, located strategically to make the most of its vantage point.

“This design gives rise to a myriad of interior vantage points, with the entrance, living room, dining room, loft area, and well-equipped kitchen each offering a unique ocean view from its elevation.”

With additional touches such as a wood-burning sauna, an outdoor kitchen, and a jacuzzi, it achieves teamSTAR's goal—to offer an oceanfront villa with the amenities of a resort.

teamSTAR: Website

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by teamSTAR.

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Subway systems around the world have long asserted that their day-to-day, straightforward service can be enhanced by beauty and design. This is evident not only in the clean lines in the New York Subway nomenclature, but also in the ornate stations of the St. Petersburg subway and the mesmerizing Brutalist design of DC's Metro Center. The latest to join this list of alluring transit systems is the brand new Riyadh Metro in Saudi Arabia—crowned by the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station, a key interchange designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA).

The sine wave motifs that long characterized the work of the late Zaha Hadid and continue to influence the architects in her studio run through the KAFD station. As usual, these are used at the service of the building, which contains six rail platforms over four levels, connecting with bus and park-and-ride services. Not only does it aim to become a vital multi-modal transit hub for the Saudi Arabian capital, but it also offers a seamless transition with the indoor and outdoor public plazas planned for the financial district.

Putting connectivity at the center of the design, ZHA modeled, mapped, and structured the station's predicted rail, car, and pedestrian traffic. To optimize internal circulation and avoid congestion, the architects went with a three-dimensional lattice configuration comprising a sequence of opposing sine waves—a recurring resource in the studio's work for both its visual versatility and added benefits in real-life uses.

The sine waves also make up the striking station’s exterior—which many wouldn't be blamed for mistaking for a museum or a concert venue. Clad in ultra-high-performance concrete panels, the details in the eye-catching façade serve several purposes. First, the geometric perforations reduce solar gain, drawing from traditional environmental sheltering techniques found throughout Saudi Arabian architecture. On the other hand, it's also a nod to the local landscapes, as it is reminiscent of the patterns generated in sand by desert winds.

With the challenges brought in by the local weather, the team looked for a way to provide “optimal comfort at minimum energy demand.” That's why, on top of the passive design features built into the structure, they also added a high-efficiency cooling system powered by renewable energy. Aware that the demand is not the same around the clock, the system automatically adjusts to different passenger levels. To keep everything fresh, they also placed door panels on each platform to retain cool air within the station.

“The KAFD Metro Station is composed as a set of elements that are highly correlated through repetition, symmetry, and scale,” writes the team in a statement. “The design was continually optimized by ZHA throughout its development to increase structural efficiencies and environmental performance while also simplifying the construction process without compromising spatial quality; seamlessly integrating the self-supporting structure of its external envelope with the station’s internal structure which supports the train platforms and viaducts”.

The KAFD Metro Station is not only the flagship stop of the Riyadh Metro—which is now the world’s longest driverless transit system, spanning over 100 miles across six lines and 85 stations—but also symbolizes the future of public transit, one where technology and design continue to improve the way people move around, making it all more pleasant, comfortable, and dignified.

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) designed the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station, a key interchange of Saudi Arabia's brand new Riyadh Metro.

The wave motifs that long characterized the work of the late Zaha Hadid and continue to influence the architects in her studio run through the KAFD station.

As usual, these are used at the service of the building, which contains six rail platforms over four levels, connecting with bus and park-and-ride services.

To optimize internal circulation and avoid congestion, the architects used a three-dimensional lattice configuration comprising a sequence of opposing sine waves.

The details in the eye-catching façade serve several purposes—from reducing the solar gain to offering a seamless transition with indoor and outdoor plazas.

On the other hand, it's also a nod to the local landscapes, as it is reminiscent of the patterns generated in sand by desert winds.

Zaha Hadid Architects: Website | Instagram

Images via Hufton + Crow. My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Zaha Hadid Architects.

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READ: Zaha Hadid Architects Designs a Sweeping Station for the Brand New Riyadh Metro Network

Nestled on the north coast of China’s island province Hainan, Haikou is known for its tropical climate and towering coconut trees. The port city overlooks the South China Sea, and boasts idyllic beaches perfect for swimming, kayaking, and sunbathing. Haikou’s close relationship with water inspired Hong Kong-based architecture firm One Plus Partnership throughout its new commercial project.

The Gaoxingli Insun Cinema-Coffee Bar brilliantly embodies the island’s surrounding ocean. Bricks cascade across the building’s ceilings and floors, and serve as lighting fixtures, seating areas, and bar counters. Each arch recalls the graceful curvature of rolling waves, creating a seamless atmosphere in constant movement.

As a single-material design, the Cinema-Coffee Bar cleverly transforms brick from a traditionally rigid to a fluid form. This structural decision emphasizes the material’s warm, earthy color, one that beautifully captures soft light. By specifically focusing on brick, One Plus Partnership not only reimagines a timeless material but adds yet another layer to the bar’s ocean motif.

“We decided to use bricks for the theme of our design because [they are] made of sand which [lies] on the beach,” the architecture firm explains.

Bricks assume two contrasting yet harmonious roles in Gaoxingli Insun Cinema-Coffee Bar. In their fluidity, they remind guests of the ebb and flow of the nearby ocean. In their composition and color, they epitomize Haikou’s golden beaches.

“We precisely placed bricks to look like waves,” the firm continues. “You can see the resemblance of the South China Sea that wraps around the island like a warm blanket.”

One Plus Partnership specializes in distinct thematic spaces that play with and remix pre-existing expectations. The Gaoxingli Insun Cinema-Coffee Bar is no exception, and encourages a new relationship between brick and water.

To explore more exciting projects by One Plus Partnership, visit their website.

The Gaoxingli Insun Cinema-Coffee Bar by Hong Kong-based architecture firm One Plus Partnership derives inspiration from the ocean.

Located in Haikou, the capital of China’s island province Hainan, the Cinema-Coffee Bar celebrates the port city’s close relationship to water.

The Cinema-Coffee Bar is a single-material design that uses bricks to recall rolling waves.

In this design, bricks transform into a fluid material in constant movement, cascading across the Cinema-Coffee Bar’s ceilings and floors.

The Gaoxingli Insun Cinema-Coffee Bar by One Plus Partnership encourages a new relationship between bricks and the ocean.

One Plus Partnership: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Images by Jonathan Leijonhufvud. My Modern Met granted permission to feature images by One Plus Partnership.

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Photo: kmiragaya/Depositphotos

The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris reopened its doors on Sunday, December 8, five years after a devastating fire destroyed its iconic roof. To mark the momentous occasion and to celebrate its restoration, chocolatiers at Valrhona sculpted an extraordinary chocolate replica of the famous cathedral.

The edible masterpiece, measuring 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) long, 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) wide, and 1.4 (4.6 feet) meters high, was created by Baptiste Moreau, a lecturer at the Valrhona School, alongside the Valrhona Paris School team under the guidance of Thierry Bridron. The extraordinary sculpture beautifully pays tribute to the cathedral's iconic Gothic architecture, complete with countless complex details.

The chocolate replica was a true labor of love, taking around 3,000 hours to bring from concept to completion. Moreau and his team of pastry chefs meticulously shaped details like the cathedral’s iconic gargoyles and rose window by hand. For more intricate components, the team collaborated with the specialized company Hydroprocess, using water jet cutting to achieve perfect precision. Even the cathedral’s famous spire, lost in the 2019 fire, has been meticulously reimagined in chocolate.

The chocolate replica made its debut at Terminal 1 of Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, where it will be on display until January 15, 2025. Afterward, it will embark on a global tour, allowing even more people to marvel at its incredible details.

Check out the chocolate Notre-Dame below and follow Valrhona on Instagram for more sweet creations.

To celebrate the reopening of the Notre-Dame in Paris, chocolatiers at Valrhona sculpted an extraordinary chocolate replica of the famous cathedral.

 

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Valrhona: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Source: Notre-Dame en chocolat, la prouesse signée Valrhona

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Photo: Jason O'Rear

Inspired by Colorado's native Aspen trees, a new hotel has taken root in downtown Denver. With its sculptural façade, Populus is a striking addition to the city skyline. Designed by international architecture firm Studio Gang, the 265-room hotel opened in October.

“Denver strikes a unique balance between being a vibrant city and a gateway to some of the country’s most awe-inspiring natural landscapes. Our goal was to draw from this distinct urban character and rich ecology to create a building that would help define the skyline of this thriving city,” says Jeanne Gang, founding partner of Studio Gang.

The most striking part of the design is clearly the façade, with windows that are intended to mimic the dark eye-shaped spots found on Aspen trees. Each window is unique in size and shape, which changes according to what's happening in the interior. At ground level, they rise 30 feet to frame the entrance. Stretching across the width of guest rooms, the windows provide spectacular views of the nearby State Capitol, Civic Center Park, and the Rocky Mountains. Select rooms even have windows with built-in seating to allow guests to feel closer to nature.

In terms of amenities, the spacious double-height lobby adjoins a restaurant and coffee shop, while a fitness center, flexible lounge, and event space are located on the floor above. Rooftop dining featuring a bar and terrace with incredible views of the mountains tops the building.

Staying true to its commitment to create a sustainable, carbon-positive hotel, Studio Gang eliminated on-site parking and used materials that would minimize the carbon emitted during the construction process. In fact, its concrete structure incorporates fly ash to minimize the need for cement, and when possible, Studio Gang forwent finishes in the interior. They have also followed through on their pledge to plant enough trees to offset the building's carbon footprint by planting over 70,000 Engelmann Spruce trees—and counting—in a nearby county.

Currently targeting LEED Gold certification, Populus is a luxury hotel that perfectly combines contemporary design and sustainable practices.

The 265-room hotel Populus opened in downtown Denver last month.

Photo: Jason O'Rear

Designed by Studio Gang, it features a sculptural facade with windows inspired by the “eyes” of Colorado's native Aspen trees.

Photo: Jason O'Rear

Photo: Steve Hall

Photo: Steve Hall

The interior features a double-height lobby and rooftop dining with a bar and terrace overlooking the city skyline and mountains.

Photo: Jason O'Rear

Photo: Steve Hall

Photo: Steve Hall

Photo: Steve Hall

Staying true to its commitment to create a sustainable, carbon-positive hotel, Studio Gang eliminated on-site parking and used materials that would minimize the carbon emitted during the construction process.

Photo: Jason O'Rear

Photo: Jason O'Rear

Currently targeting LEED Gold certification, Populus is a luxury hotel that perfectly combines contemporary design and sustainable practices.

Photo: Jason O'Rear

Populus: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Studio Gang: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Studio Gang.

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