REQUEST INVITE
As one of Denver's newest architectural landmarks, Populus isn’t just turning heads with its striking design—it’s setting a bold new standard for sustainable hospitality. At HotelSpaces, Andrew Connorton, VP of Programming + Design at Aparium Hotel Group, shared the story of Populus’ ambitious journey—from architectural concept to operational reality.
Nature-Inspired from Shell to Stay
Designed by Studio Gang, the hotel's iconic ‘Aspen eye’ windows echo the natural markings of Colorado’s beloved trees, deepening the connection between architecture and the natural world. The goal wasn’t just to nod to nature—it was to fully immerse guests in it.
Each level of the 13-story property draws inspiration from a different part of the forest ecosystem:
- Ground Floor – Forest Floor: Warmer tones, reclaimed materials, and even the aggregate placement in the concrete flooring mimic well-trodden nature trails.
- Level 2 – Understory: Meeting spaces maximize daylight through massive 30-foot arches, with acoustics and lighting tuned to shift from day to evening use.
- Levels 3–13 – Trunk + Branches: 265 thoughtfully designed guest rooms—including 190 efficiently scaled at 170 square feet—feature sculpted window benches that offer a quiet, personal connection to the outdoors.
This storytelling approach informed not just materials and finishes but also sound, scent, and seasonality—guests hear nature sounds based on the real-time hour, and menus shift with the seasons.
Solving for Small Spaces
The hotel’s triangular footprint presented a major design challenge. The project team cycled through over 300 different layout iterations before landing on a solution that squeezed a café, restaurant, kitchen, bar, arrival area, and reception into just 3,000 square feet of front-of-house space.
Guest rooms—many under 200 square feet—use open vanities, built-in storage, and efficient zoning to feel bigger than their footprint. Connorton called it a masterclass in “maximizing every single square inch.”
Where Design Meets Data: Smart, Sustainable Systems
Populus doesn't just look green—it performs.
Key features include:
- Zero food waste via on-site biodigesters
- 100% clean energy through a partnership with the Colorado Clean Energy Partnership
- Smart energy controls using Incom E7, which integrates with the BMS to optimize heating/cooling based on occupancy
- LEED Gold certification achieved through a blend of materials, systems, and waste strategies
Importantly, Urban Villages and Aparium didn’t treat sustainability as a checklist. Instead, the team worked with vendors to uncover new materials and systems.
“We didn’t hand them a spec sheet and say ‘meet these standards,’” Connorton shared. “We had conversations. One vendor told us they were building the first carbon-neutral sheeting factory in India. That’s how their pillows and robes ended up in the hotel.”
Why “Carbon Positive” Resonates
While the technically accurate term is carbon negative (sequestering more carbon than emitted), the team intentionally used “carbon positive” in their messaging.
Why?
Because it makes more intuitive sense for guests—positivity aligns with progress. And clearly, it’s working. When the hotel broke ground, it generated 142 million media impressions in one week.
Key Takeaways for Hotel Design and Construction Leaders
- Guest Experience Can Drive Sustainability
Populus proves eco-conscious design doesn't have to be hidden—it can become the immersive, memorable centerpiece of your property.
- Don't Wait for Perfection
Rather than stalling for the ideal model, Aparium built, tested, and refined in real time—letting the market respond to their innovation.
- Partnership Over Prescription
Instead of handing vendors rigid sustainability specs, Aparium's collaborative approach uncovered solutions they wouldn't have found otherwise—like linens from India's first carbon-neutral sheeting factory.
- Turn Constraints Into Creativity
The unique triangular footprint that might have deterred others became Populus's design signature, yielding one of hospitality's most distinctive layouts after 300+ iterations.
- Sustainability as Brand Currency
"Carbon Positive" messaging generated 142 million media impressions in just one week—proving sustainability isn't just responsible, it's marketable.
Looking Ahead: Early Results and Future Metrics
While only operational for ten days at the time of Connorton's HealthSpaces presentation, initial reception was promising despite the expected "kinks" of any opening.
The industry has been watching closely, and Populus landed on Time Magazine's "World's Greatest Places 2025" list. Time highlighted the hotel's distinctive biophilic design and substantial sustainability efforts—from the biodigester that composts all food waste to wooden room key cards in seed-infused sleeves that guests can plant.
For hoteliers considering similar initiatives, Populus is proof that thoughtful design, smart systems, and strong partnerships converge to create something that's not just beautiful but genuinely forward-thinking—and evidently award-winning.
Comments