Bruce has proved his skills as a Project Architect with a focus on detail and technical aptitude. He is a natural teacher and mentor and goes above and beyond to share his knowledge with other team members. Bruce pushes our practices and creates a space for others to learn and push themselves. Learn more about Bruce and his recent work with BVH.
Jen Davis
As one of the first members of the BVH Denver office, Jen is a natural leader. With her compassionate personality and dynamic skillset, she builds strong relationships and trust with everyone she works with. Jen is great with clients and continues to go the extra mile with her work—stepping in and stepping up to the plate to help the team. She is tenacious and driven and continues to be a huge asset to the firm.
Matt Fitzpatrick
A true team player, Matt has a go-getter attitude and no problem jumping in to help others. His great sense of detail enables him to strive for perfection in his work and design. Matt’s knowledge base in Multifamily has been pushing our Denver practice, and he has been a key asset in growing our Colorado business.
Andrew Meyer
Andrew has a disposition that draws people in. He looks at challenges as opportunities, taking on complex projects with a positive attitude. A huge asset to our team, Andrew has proven his knowledge and skill sets through his work while activating people in everything he does.
Kevin Meyer
Kevin has a special ability to lead his project team members positively and has become a mentor in their professional development, with staff often seeking him out for guidance. As an active community member, Kevin has an ability to grow and develop positive and long-lasting client relationships on every project he works on—a real ability to connect with others. He pushes design and thought leadership forward within the firm and our team.
Phuong Nguyen
Phuong is one of the young, talented architectural designers BVH needs to be a successful, purposeful, and design-focused firm. Her design skills are forward-thinking and she is respected by the firm for her ability to push the projects she works on. Phuong is making a change in the design profession with her work on J+EDI efforts within the firm but also in the community. This is evident within her work in AIA Next to Lead, the ACE Mentorship Program, and her recent article in B2B Magazine.
Kat Pickering
Kat has been with BVH for 5 years and has played a key role in building our Interiors practice. A sought after team member, her reliable and knowledgeable nature means staff often look to her for leadership. Kat’s passion for furniture and strong design has continued to grow throughout her professional career, and she strives to get work done with a high level of quality that produces an improved experience for the client and end user.
Biophilia is humankind’s inherent connection with nature and explains why ocean views, mountain hikes, gardening, daylight, and parks restore our mind, body, and spirit. Building design inherently impacts human health and wellness and the inclusion of biophilic design concepts in our buildings supports positive health outcomes. Pulling aspects of the natural environment indoors and integrating biodiverse outdoor amenities (features) are ways to achieve a biophilic design.
Literature from many sources including the Living Futures Institute outline various approaches to biophilic design. Below are fifteen patterns outlined by Terrapin Bright Green in 2014 for biophilic design.
Several projects at BVH incorporate these patterns. Specifically, one project that achieved success and earned a LEEDv4 Innovation and Design credit for biophilia, was the Metro Community College (MCC) Automotive Technology Facility. MCC Auto Tech’s use of biophilia incorporates eight patterns of the fifteen listed above, in the design of this cutting edge technology education facility. Images below were used to highlight the biophilic patterns for the LEED innovation credit.
Exterior glazing provides a visual connection with nature through nooks projected into a native landscape. Nature in the space is further enhanced through the use of skylights and clerestories connecting humans to the dynamic patterns and diffusing daylight. Through the nooks and exterior glazing the surrounding landscape connects people to natural systems showcasing the seasonal variability of native plantings and weather patterns.
Wood materials and wall coverings introduce biomorphic forms and patterns similar to what exists in nature. Acoustical ceiling elements are used throughout the building referencing natural organic arrangements. Glass bridges throughout the space are decorated with glass film patterned to mimic clouds.
Natural analogues of complexity and order occur within the biomorphic forms and patterns across the ceilings, cloud patterns, and a nature inspired color palette. Additionally, the exposed structure and MEP systems showcase manmade layers of order and complexity within the spaces.
Views across the space take in the entire building from one end to the other creating a feeling of prospect. Further facilitated through the transparency and openness in the space.
Refuge is provided in small seating areas and private conference rooms alongside the nooks providing a sense of protection for occupants.
The biophilic element of risk/peril is experienced through the protected walkways overlooking the education spaces below, glass railings overlooking two story spaces and cantilevered nooks at the exterior of the facility. Providing a sense of excitement while still maintaining the feeling of security.
Biophilic design operates over scales from touchable close materials, to the whole building organization and layout. All occupants benefit from biophilic elements and experiences of nature throughout the building. Building on our experience, BVH will continue to prioritize health and wellness through design excellence.
