User:Tcrayner/sandbox

Tres Birds Workshop (stylized tres birds workshop) is an architecture, general contracting and design firm based in Denver, Colorado. The firm is known for its focus on environmental stewardship, human health, community enrichment and artistic appreciation. Founded in 2000 in Boulder, Colorado by architect Mike Moore, tres birds workshop cites their primary objectives as being “to unite humans with nature through the built environment and lower embodied energy and fossil fuel consumption in the practice of architecture.”

History
Founder Mike Moore received his undergraduate degree at University of California at Berkeley where he studied both Environmental Biology and Fine Art. He went on to complete a Masters in Architecture at the University of Colorado at Denver in 2000, founding tres birds workshop immediately after graduation. Prior to founding tres birds workshop, Mike Moore was an artist, teacher, designer, and project manager. From 1995 to 2000, he worked with J Logan architects in Boulder, Colorado focusing primarily on the design and construction of net zero homes (see link Zero-energy building).

In the summer of 2000, six years into employment with J Logan architects, adventure photographer Brooks Freehill approached Moore about a potential project. Brooks had purchased a plot of land in North Boulder on which he planned to build a photography studio, home, and large garage, asking Moore to design the space. In July of 2000, Moore resigned from J Logan Architects, founded tres birds workshop, and began his first project as lead architect. In 2002, Moore hired tres birds workshop's fist employee, Jantinee Chaiyavet.

In 2005, Moore was introduced to Burton Snowboards representative John Damiano, who had purchased an old warehouse in south Denver with the intention of converting it to Burton regional headquarters, office and showroom. John hired tres birds workshop for the remodel, which became the firm's first Denver project, and largest commercial project since opening in 2000. Tres birds workshop was awarded a contract for five locations. For the job, Moore hired fellow UC Denver College of Architecture and Planning graduate Shawn Mather, who would later become a principal and partner. Between 2005 and 2008, tres birds workshop worked alongside a large team of Burton representatives to complete eight retail locations across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

The years between 2009 and 2014 saw a substantial increase in projects for the firm, including assistance with the remodel of Denver’s historic McNichols Civic Center Building for the 2010 Biennial of the Americas. In 2011, tres birds workshop was hired to remodel an old diesel repair garage to an office for Denver-based biotech company 3i. The firm invented and installed a thermal exterior wall system, made from 21,000 recycled PET plastic water bottles.

In 2012, tres birds workshop’s offices moved from Boulder to Denver, landing in the historic brick and timber buildings at 40th and Franklin on the edge of Denver’s RiNo neighborhood. Soon thereafter, tres birds workshop was hired by Denver Housing Authority to revamp a dilapidated 30,000 sf building originally used for parking police horses in the 1800’s. The building re-opened as The Posner Center for International Development in August 2013.

Architectural philosophy
Tres birds workshop’s architectural philosophy emphasizes sustainability, community, and art. Coming from a background in Fine Art, founder Mike Moore and team have designed and built several public art installations. Their projects often include sculptural elements and custom furniture designs. As part of their focus on sustainability, the firm advocates for “a consciousness shift” centered around the idea of lowering embodied energy in the practice of architecture. Tres birds workshop places a strong emphasis on reusing materials, utilizing passive solar, and incorporating sustainable architecture solutions to create efficient buildings and healthy environments. Many of their projects are flanked in custom louvers, and employ solar panels, geothermal wells, strategic gardens, and aspect-tuned windows. Furthermore, tres birds workshop carries the concept of “reusing materials” beyond the superficial elements to encompass restoring and reusing on-site materials including ductwork, soil, wiring, and structural components as available.

Tres birds workshop has worked both domestically in the United States and internationally on projects such as historical renovations, commercial retrofits, new construction, office spaces, creative studios, retail, restaurant, mixed-use development, single-family homes, multi-unit residential buildings, civic, non-profit, temporary installations, and permanent fixtures.

Selected Projects

 * Freehill Studio (2001), Boulder, Colorado, USA
 * 2241 (2004), Boulder, Colorado, USA
 * Burton: Los Angeles Flagship Retail Store (2007), Los Angeles, California, USA
 * McNichols Building (2010), Denver, Colorado, USA
 * Taxi (2011), Denver, Colorado, USA
 * Natural Systems Domination (2011), Denver, Colorado, USA
 * Design Lab (2012), Denver, Colorado, USA
 * Flowing Black Pearls (2012), Denver, Colorado, USA
 * Horse Barn (2013), Denver, Colorado, USA
 * Swoon (2013), Boulder, Colorado, USA
 * Vail Nests (2013), Vail, Colorado, USA
 * Lumina (2015), Denver, Colorado, USA
 * Enterprise (2016), Denver, Colorado, USA
 * Inside Out Home (2016), Boulder, Colorado, USA
 * The Family Jones Distillery (2017), Denver, Colorado, USA