MAD has revealed a mixed-use tower that features a cracked-open canyon in the heart of Denver, Colorado, United States. 

Named One River North (ORN), the residential tower, which spans 31,835 square meters, is a new development that aims to redefine urban living in Denver.

A natural terrain crack fractures the 16-story glass facade of One River North (ORN), a brand-new mixed-use development near Denver, Colorado's River North Art District (RiNo).

Image © Iwan Baan

ORN is a vertical landscape

As MAD explains, ORN is more than just an apartment complex; it's a vertical landscape that residents can explore as though they were hiking in the mountains.

"Imagine living in a building yet feeling as though you're immersed in a natural landscape—like living within a canyon itself," said MAD Principal Architect, Ma Yansong.

Image © Parrish Ruiz de Velasco

Following the sounds of cascading water that can be heard from the street below, residents walking the building's canyon trail from the sixth to the ninth floor are submerged in carefully designed environments inspired by Colorado's foothill and canyon ecosystems. 

By fusing natural elements with contemporary architecture to create immersive living environments that promote community and deepen residents' ties to the natural world, MAD hopes to reinvent urban living with One River North.

Image © Iwan Baan

This innovative approach was developed in response to Denver's unique environment, which is characterized by rugged mountains and profound canyons enveloping the city. 

One notable transformation has taken place recently in the city is the River North Art District (RiNo). It was once an industrial center, but today it's a thriving hub for artists, creators, and outdoor enthusiasts who work together to revitalize Colorado's vibrant and creative culture.

Image © Vic Ryan Photograph

"One River North addresses Denver's need for high-density urban housing while offering an expanded lifestyle centered on wellness and accessibility in a safe, walkable neighborhood," said MAD. 

"The design reflects the city's active culture by encouraging exploration, well-being, and a connection to nature that strengthens its residents' ties to their surroundings and to one another," the studio explained.

Image © Vic Ryan Photograph

The building has a ground floor retail area that is 9,000 square feet (836 square meters) in size and blends in perfectly with the surrounding streetscape and landscape. The building has 187 rental units distributed over 15 stories. The connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces is strengthened by the flow of exterior materials and landscaping into the interior.

MAD has created a spacious canyon made of soft surfaces. This four-story amenity space is carved out to resemble a slot canyon, contrasting with the crisp geometric lines of the building's massing. The Canyon was inspired by natural erosion, as MAD explains.

Image © Parrish Ruiz de Velasco

This feature features water features that encourage a strong connection between residents and the natural environment, as well as over 13,000 square feet  (1,207 square meters) of landscaped terraces that seem to hang in open space, offering some of the most breathtaking views in the city.

The façade's canyon-like structure blurs the lines between architecture and nature, combining indoor and outdoor areas to create an immersive, natural experience.

Image © Parrish Ruiz de Velasco

With its canyon-inspired design, the amenity area features fitness centers, shared rooms, and outdoor seating—all of which are intended to encourage meaningful connections and engagement. 

Its landscape design, which takes cues from Colorado's varied biomes, captures the state's unique plant life and natural surroundings, which shift with the four seasons. 

Image © Parrish Ruiz de Velasco

Resilient plant species have been carefully chosen to create a landscape that will flourish over time and turn the canyon-like feature into a lush, thriving area that benefits the local community and the residents' quality of life.

The Canyon climbs through the facades of the building, reaching a landscaped rooftop terrace 16 stories above street level as its peak. This alpine-inspired area offers unobstructed views of the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains from its pool, spa, and garden.

Image © Iwan Baan

Fitwel Certification is a distinguished honor that One River North has achieved, underscoring its dedication to advancing the mental and physical health of its tenants. 

Less than 1,000 buildings worldwide have received this certification, which is a testament to the project's creative use of mixed-use development. 

Image © Iwan Baan

One River North establishes a new benchmark for urban living that prioritizes human health and wellness by providing a carefully chosen, immersive living experience that places an emphasis on placemaking and cultivates a feeling of community.

Image © Iwan Baan

"One River North is more than just a place to live"

"Imagine our three-dimensional urban spaces," Ma Yansong explained, "where high-rise office buildings and high-rise hotels introduce sky gardens, canyons, and waterfalls."

"In this vision, the future city is not just made of concrete boxes anymore; it becomes a place that integrates and connects people with nature."

"One River North is more than just a place to live—it is a place to thrive, in which the boundaries between the urban environment and the natural world disappear," Yansong added.

Image © Parrish Ruiz de Velasco

One River North, which is already a must-see landmark for the River North Art District and all of Denver, offers a novel viewpoint on the mixed-use building type by skillfully fusing convenience, nature, lifestyle, and community into a modern residential experience. This will undoubtedly inspire many more in the future.

Image © Iwan Baan

Image © Iwan Baan

Image © Iwan Baan

Image © Parrish Ruiz de Velasco

Image © Iwan Baan

Site plan

7th floor plan

14th floor plan

Roof plan

West elevation

Partial section

Diagram

Physical Model. Image by TAL + Bai Yu

MAD released the preliminary design of One River North in 2021. In addition, the firm revealed design and construction update for Tencent's new Shenzhen Headquarters in Shenzhen, China. Moreover, the firm completed an innovation center with a "biomorphic, clover-like green roof" in Beijing, China. 

Project facts

Project name: One River North

Architects: MAD

Location: Denver, Colorado

Date: 2019-2024

Site Area: Approx. 28,198 sf

Building Area: Approx. 342,674 sf

Principal Partners: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke Hayano

Design Team: Jon Kontuly, Flora Lee, Peng Xie, Edwin Cho, Horace Hou, Yunfei Qiu, Evan Shaner, Shawna Chengxiang Meng

Client: The MAX Collaborative

Owner: The Max Collaborative, Uplands Real Estate Partners, Zakhem Real Estate Group

Executive Architect: Davis Partnership Architects

Contractor: Saunders Construction

Interior designer: The Interior Studio at Davis Partnership Architects

Structural Engineer: Jirsa Hedrick

MEP Engineer: ME Engineers

Landscape: Davis Partnership Architects

Civil Consultant: Kimley-Horn

Top image in the article © Iwan Baan.

All images © Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco and Vic Ryan Photograph.

All drawings © MAD.

> via MAD 

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