Landscape Architect Articles

Tivoli Quadrangle, Auraria Higher Education Center, Denver07-06-18 | Feature

Tivoli Quadrangle, Auraria Higher Education Center, Denver
Wenk Associates, Inc. "?u Landscape Architects/Planners (Project Lead)

The Tivoli Quadrangle at the Auraria Higher Education Center in Denver transformed a space previously unavailable for public use into a vibrant park that enhances the connection between campus and the city, creating an integrated area serving students, residents and visitors. The inset photo shows a large gathering of family and friends for a University of Colorado Denver graduation.

Auraria is not your typical college campus. The campus, located adjacent to downtown Denver, is shared by three separate and distinct institutions of higher learning: Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver and the University of Colorado Denver. The Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) manages the shared services, facilities and property.

The 2012 AHEC campus master plan acknowledged the need for "place-making" within the campus community. One key location identified was the Tivoli Quadrangle, a central area directly adjacent to the historic Tivoli Student Union.

The new Larimer Street pedestrian promenade (5"x10" Eco-Priora permeable pavers) connects the Auraria Campus to downtown Denver. A row of low profile, cylindrical LED luminaires keep the campus brightly lit at night.

The vision of the 4-acre Tivoli Quad is a shared campus community space designed to support special events, recreation and education. AHEC worked closely with the design team, led by Wenk Associates of Denver, to transform the fenced-in, athletic fields adjacent to the Tivoli building that were previously unavailable for public use, into a vibrant park that would serve the Auraria campus and the greater Denver community. The multicomponent project consists of a tiered patio; a multipurpose natural grass quad; peaceful areas with seating and trees; a large amphitheater; roadway/streetscape improvements that create greater connectivity; a two-way, separated bike lane that connects the north and south sides of campus; utility and stormwater infrastructure; site and activity lighting; and site furnishings/amenities.

Tivoli Quad is a place where the campus institutions can showcase student talents, partner with outside groups to sponsor events and concerts and host graduation and campus festivals, This expansive space has spectacular views of downtown Denver, and is a great place for students to hang out and recreate.

Ipe decks "floating" within a rainwater garden is a shady, peaceful gathering place, and offers a great view of Denver's downtown skyline.

Challenges and Special Factors
Funding
As with many initiatives on a campus, the greatest challenge was funding. At a time when the ability to fund academic facilities was barely practical, finding a way to fund an open, community space was understandably a low priority. Yet, it was recognized that this place making was so important to creating a strong sense of community. The Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board (SACAB) lead a tri-institutional student driven initiative that went to a referendum vote in April 2015. The result was a $5 fee per student per semester to support the project. On behalf of the Auraria campus constituency, AHEC also secured grant funds from the Auraria Foundation Board of Directors to contribute an additional $3.3 million toward development of the Tivoli Quadrangle. When a community is determined to improve – nothing can stand in the way of a collaborative commitment!

Multimodal
The Tivoli Quad project also supports Denver as a 'Bicycle City' through the creation of a new dedicated bicycle/pedestrian way. The connection improves on campus pedestrian/bicycle circulation, as well as bus and vehicular circulation, and connects to adjacent arterial streets. Pedestrian and bicycle crossings at Auraria Parkway are improved through the addition of a new signalized intersection at 11th Street. In addition, the improved public realm provides new bike connections to several district-wide bike paths including the Cherry Creek Bike Trail and the Platte Valley Trail system.

The Tivoli Student Union pedestrian promenade terminates at 11th Street, a new curbless multimodal street/bikeway (gray permeable pavers). The concrete walkway to the Tivoli Brewery (right) has different luminaires ('Olivio Grande' and 'Beta Pendant' LEDs) than the campus promenade. Inset: The space before.

Sustainable Use of Resources

A large stormwater garden defines one edge of the quadrangle lawn. The garden cleans pollutants from stormwater runoff from adjacent streets, demonstrating the campus' commitment to sustainable design practices, while also providing a destination for an informal, outdoor classroom or gathering space. Water quality is also handled by an expansive sand-based turf system and permeable paver street contributing to infiltration and eventually collection into the stormwater garden.

Once established, the garden will become a cottonwood grove that recalls the original natural landscapes of the nearby Platte River and Cherry Creek corridors.

Historical Significance
The Tivoli Quad is at the location of one of Denver's first neighborhoods. Wenk Associates designed to blend and provide interpretive significance to the site. Custom hand railings and beer garden fencing details, along with a custom blue paver color integrates with the historical Tivoli Student Union. Rectangular concrete bands and deck patterns denote the outlines of historical structures and pay tribute to the scale of the city in the late 1800s. One of the rectangular outlines commemorates Colorado's first public school and is denoted with three large stone benches that signify the seating of historical times with students sitting on long wood pews.

Role of the Landscape Architect
Wenk Associates, planners and landscape architects, led the multidisciplinary design-build team for site improvements from master planning through construction. The team consisted of civil, transportation, structural and electrical engineering, along with architecture and irrigation. Wenk led the detailed development and prepared construction documents for site circulation, stormwater management, site lighting, landscape and hardscape spaces, as well as building entrance modifications into the historical Tivoli Student Union. Wenk also worked closely with the client and led discussions and presentations with the Auraria Higher Education Design Review Board to ensure project success.

Tivoli Quad
Landscape Architects/Planners – Project Lead
Wenk Associates, Inc., Denver
Bill Wenk, Principal
Greg Dorolek, Principal
J. C. Culwell, Project Manager
Kelli Schwab, Landscape Designer
Bryan Peterson, Landscape Designer

Civil/Structural Engineer
Martin/Martin, Inc., Lakewood

Architecture
Anderson Mason Dale, Denver

Electrical Engineer
BCER Engineering Group, Arvada

Electrical Engineer
The RMH Group, Inc. , Lakewood

Irrigation Design
HydroSystems-KDI, Inc. , Lakewood

Transportation Planner
Fehr & Peers, Denver

Environmental Assessment
LT Environmental, Inc. , Arvada

Geotechnical Engineering
Kumar & Associates, Denver

Survey: Harris Kocher Smith, Denver

Contractors
Pinkard Construction, Lakewood: general contractor
Haselden Construction, Centennial: general contractor
Colorado Hardscapes, Denver: flatwork, site walls, terraces
Continental Hardscapes, Westminster: pavers
Landtech, Aurora: landscape
Graff's Turf Farm, Fort Morgan: turf
G&S Solutions, La Salle: field subgrade
Lighting: Merit Electric

Product-Manufacturer-Supplier
Aco Polymer Products: stainless steel brickslot drains
G&S Solutions: Sand Subgrade
Graffs Turf Farms: Shortcut sand-based GTF sod
Harmony Nursery
Lithonia: D-Series, size 2 LEDs

Pavestone
-5"x10" Eco-Priora permeable pavers, 3-tone light brown, brown and Charcoal, Limestone
-Concrete unit pavers: Verona (9"x18"), Slate, Limestone City Stone (6"x12"), Limestone, Custom-Blue

Phillips: Gardco Form 10 Round LEDs

Selux Olivio Grande: light poles
Olivio Grande LEDs
Beta Pendant LEDs

Stabilizer Solutions: gray crusher fines, 3/8" screened

TrafficGuard Direct: bollards, 4. 5" round (RAL 7042 Traffic Grey)

Urban Accessories: 6"x18" Angle trench drains with rust conditioner