Mile High Ministries Clara Brown Commons Supportive Housing

Denver, CO

Mile High Ministries

Clara Brown Commons

Denver, Colorado

Client: Mile High Ministries

Budget: $14,000,000

SQFT: 76,000SF

Units: 62; 2 and 3 bedroom

Expected completion in 2023.

Project Information

Mile High Ministries has provided supportive services for the Denver metro area for many years. For over 30 years, MHM has been working on a more permanent solution to help with supportive services and addressing homelessness. This is the first building of the master plan to provide a housing community located in the Cole neighborhood in Denver, CO.

The project namesake, Clara Brown, fondly referred as Aunt Clara, as a pioneer in the 1800’s and helped shaped Denver. Married at 18, she had 3 children, one unfortunately died young. At 35, her family was sold off and she spent the rest of her life trying to find them. At 55, she was freed. As a freed slave, she migrated to Colorado during the gold rush, and established a laundry business and a church, in Central City, CO. She owned mines and land in Denver and Boulder. She used her influence and wealth to help former slaves to establish themselves. She never stopped looking for her family, and only reunited with one daughter and granddaughter toward the end of her life.

The Clara Brown Commons pays homage to a true pioneer and altruistic woman who spent her whole life helping others.

The Challenge

Clara Brown Commons goal is to create a warm welcoming space that inspires its residents. The client wanted the space to reflect the neighborhood and its rich history. Working with a very small budget and during a time of challenges in the building industry were our greatest obstacles. The client also wanted to create a space that was healing, has a feeling of being safe, and encouraging indepence.

The Solution

The solution was to create special spaces that felt inviting and safe throughout the building. We selected cheerful bright deep colors, natural wood elements, and selected whimsical lighting that when pulled together bring a sense of playfulness, comfort, and warmth.

Our approach:

Our schematic design began with understanding the community as well as our client’s objectives. We went through the space and came with ideas that would help increase effectiveness of the overall challenge. One recommendation was to create all restrooms in the public spaces as gender inclusive. Second we recommended that a space be provided for a visiting healthcare provider. Healthcare is something that is not readily accessible to those that lack shelter. Children by far are at increased risk when they do not receive immunizations.

We met with the client to further discuss the goals for the project and how they would like the space to feel. The project located in Cole neighborhood in Denver, is an established working class community, with a mixed demographic and a large percentage of homeowners, few rentals, two large parks and an elementary school. We focused on the cultural fabric of the community for our color palette. A large percentage of Latinos and African Americans lead us to bring in bright hues and lively patterns. We focused on the needs of the incoming tenants needs with respect to feeling safe by selecting FF&E that had a more lived in, comfortable aspect. Lighting was also important to the overall design concept. The chapel is bathed in light to create an inspirational environment.

While this project is in progress, we expect to deliver a bright, lively, and engaging space for all those that are the most vulnerable in our community.