In the heart of Denver stands Populus Hotel, a new urban hotel that combines nature-inspired design with environmentally conscious hospitality. The project draws inspiration from the ecological and urban fabric around it, while also contributing to the environment, with a promise to plant a tree for every night booked at the hotel.

Ofri Paz | Stanley Home

Studio Gang, led by architect Jeanne Gang, created the building’s unique identity through a dramatic façade: a rhythm of unconventional windows, inspired by the eye-like pattern found on the bark of the quaking aspen tree. The shape of the windows changes according to the function of the space – reaching up to 9 meters high on the ground floor, framing the entrance and restaurant, and continuing to the upper floors, from which panoramic views of the Colorado State Capitol and the Rocky Mountains are offered. The façade is not just an aesthetic element. The “lids” that protrude from it provide shading and improve the building’s energy performance.

The interior design echoes the idea of a poplar grove through layers of natural materials and rich textural forms. From the ground-floor lobby and restaurant, designed in warm wood tones, through the guest rooms designed as the “trunk” of the tree, to the rooftop restaurant, each level tells a different story from within the forest.

Materials were carefully selected with a commitment to sustainability: reclaimed wood from old Wyoming snow fences, biodegradable rugs, and reclaimed pine repurposed into custom furniture. The studio, led by Heather Wildman, is known for its creative approach and commitment to sustainability in the design of hospitality spaces.

Architecture by Studio Gang | Interiors by Wildman Chalmers | photography by Yoshihiro Makino