Since the challenge was sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and Impact Finance Center (IFC), teams were charged to incorporate the use of Mass Timber in their proposals, showcasing this sustainable product and the need for sustainable forestry. Team Crimson integrated mass timber structure for 20% of the buildings on site, which worked well with the lower to medium sized buildings along the river and along the “main street” corridor—providing us with a design basis for the size and form of these buildings, which then were clad in various materials to emulate a similar feeling of the heavy timber buildings that are prevalent throughout the Lower Downtown neighborhood of Denver.

Throughout the challenge process, FitzGerald worked closely with the MBA student team to review and revise building area calculations—creating a plausible program that would provide them with data they needed to devise phasing and financial models for the development. We are proud to support Team Crimson in realizing their vision and enjoyed being a part of their process. Although Team Crimson did not advance to the final stages of the competition, we look forward to being available to help one of next year’s teams!