The landscape design consultant Hargreaves Associates was selected by the Denver Union Station project team to lead the design of the public spaces at Downtown Denver’s massive Union Station transit project. Here’s the official press release regarding the selection of Hargreaves.
Over the course of the summer, Hargreaves and project architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, will lay out the design for the public spaces within the Union Station Transit District area. Key to that process will be involving the public in that design effort, and making sure that Denver citizens have a say in what those public spaces will look like and how they will function.
I will keep you posted throughout the summer of public meetings and other important activites relating to the design of the public realm at Union Station, and you can also keep up with the latest news about the Union Station project by visiting the official project website (www.denverunionstation.org) and the website at Union Station Advocates (www.unionstationadvocates.org).
Is this just landscaping? Or will they also build structures, statues, bridges, crossways, etc..?
My understanding is they will be responsible for all exterior landscape and hardscape.
They were definitely not my first choice…I was hoping to see Martha Schwartz. An infill poll would be interesting.
From looking around the company's website I'd describe their style as ultra-postmodern. It looks like they like to stand out, which can turn into a memoriable and recognizable product or a strikingly dissonant eyesore. It will be up to the city to approve a design that is edgy without going over the top. If Denver citizens "have a say" then I think it's something we can be optimistic about.
I'd like to see a few of the group's past developments posted here for comparison.
This doesn't just have to do with who's the best at landscaping and external curb design, but also who looks better on the bid/offer spread.