ICHI

A modern interpretation of Japanese design principles, Ichi, is a single-stair egress (point access block) multifamily which marries the serenity of Kanso and Shizen with Denver's urban vibrancy, creating a space where simplicity, nature, and community thrive.

This project is centered around a single-exit stairwell, strategically located at the heart of the site. The stairwell serves as a key organizational element, dividing the building mass into two distinct volumes. This design choice maximizes natural daylight, ventilation, and visual connections to nature for each dwelling unit, enhancing overall livability. Fully enclosed with fire-protected glass block walls, the stairwell doubles as an efficient corridor, seamlessly connecting the elevator to the rear units. It exits in two directions on a lushly landscaped second-story podium—one toward the fronting street and the other to the rear laneway—inviting residents to engage with the stair through its verdant design and dynamic interplay of light.

The podium level provides a multifunctional solution, freeing up the ground floor for essential building services and amenities. By reducing parking to just three car-share spaces, the design minimizes spatial demands while encouraging walkability and transit use, aligning with sustainable urban living goals. Ground-floor amenities include ample bike parking with a dedicated maintenance bay, a pet washing station, and creative studios for pottery, woodworking, crafting, and exercise, fostering healthy and community-oriented lifestyles.

Street-level activation is achieved through two accessible, on-grade units designed to support aging in place. These units, clad in timeless brick masonry, integrate harmoniously with the surrounding neighborhood while creating a pedestrian-friendly scale. This materiality grounds the architecture and provides a strong connection to the context.

The upper floors are uniformly stacked to optimize efficiency and flexibility. A three-bedroom unit fronting Emmerson Street includes an adaptable lock-off suite, offering versatile options for multigenerational living or supplemental rental income. The rear portion of the building accommodates five two-bedroom units and five one-bedroom units, each thoughtfully designed to balance spatial efficiency with market demands.

The roof level is conceived as a dynamic and healthy retreat for both residents and the building itself. Landscaped gardens and trees provide shading, stormwater management, and a serene space for relaxation. A sauna, oriented to frame striking views of the Denver skyline through an oculus, serves as a modern interpretation of an ancient social tradition, promoting community connection and wellness.

This design demonstrates how thoughtful planning and innovative solutions can transform a single property into a vibrant, sustainable, and highly livable urban development.