This glass tower in Denver has a distinguishing characteristic that feels hard to describe, and must be seen to understand.

Called One River North, the apartment block has a large ‘crack’ in its facade, exposing a plaster, almost cave-like interior inside.

It’s a highly distinctive and unusual feature, one that gives a nod to Colorado’s beautiful topography, and also brings a unique opportunity for terraces on the building.

Designed by international firm MAD Architects, the building’s ‘canyon’ meanders down the 15 story height, creating openings that are fascinating to look at, and give an organic feel to what could otherwise be a traditional glass tower.

Cafe spaces, private terraces, and a stairway make this facade truly unique.

 

One River North tower in Denver, its glass facade split by a jagged canyon-like crack lined with greenery

Fascinating new building in denver features a facade that cracks open

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Via Dezeen:

 

“The canyon looks like a natural space cracking open a modern box,” MAD Architects principal Ma Yansong told Dezeen.

“In this vertical canyon, we’ve introduced gardens, outdoor spaces, and water features that connect all the indoor amenities, allowing residents and visitors to step outside and enjoy the spaces and views from multiple levels.”

 

Looking up at One River North's fissured facade, where planted terraces fill the canyon cut MAD Architects' One River North in Denver, a glass apartment block cracked open by a meandering canyon The cave-like canyon carved through One River North, with terraces winding down the facade One River North's organic canyon opening, a plaster-lined rift cutting across the sleek glass grid Terraces, gardens and water features tucked inside One River North's vertical canyon in Denver The 15-story One River North tower in Denver, its facade fractured by MAD Architects' canyon design Denver's One River North apartment building, where a crack in the glass facade evokes Colorado canyon country

By Moss & Fog Staff

Author

Ben VanderVeen is the founder and editor of Moss & Fog, one of the web’s longest-running visual culture destinations. Since 2009, he’s been finding and framing the most beautiful, surprising, and thought-provoking work in art, architecture, design, and nature — reaching over 325,000 readers each month. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

4 Comments

  1. butterfly9591

    Love the design of this building beautiful open concept love

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