One River North, a canyon that fractures the façade

A large rocky canyon fractures the façade of One River North (ORN), a mixed-use building located in the River North Art (RiNo) district of Denver, Colorado. Designed by MAD Architects, led by Ma Yansong, One River North blends nature and architecture, with its façade carved by a vertical landscape that echoes the surrounding scenery and Rocky Mountains. 

ORN is a 16-story building that houses 187 units, along with 836 m² of commercial spaces on the ground floor. The defining feature of the project is the large gash in the façade, inspired by natural erosion, which includes over 1,000 m² of walkable terraces connected by a path, reminiscent of a mountain hike. Among these is a rooftop terrace with a pool, spa, and garden. 

The canyon area includes outdoor spaces, common rooms, and fitness facilities designed to foster a connection between residents. The landscape design draws inspiration from Colorado’s diverse biomes and is enriched with native flora and fauna, offering a full immersion in nature.  

With One River North, MAD sets a new standard for mixed-use residential development, promoting physical and mental well-being. The structure has been awarded Fitwel certification, a recognition given to buildings designed to improve the health of their occupants.  

Interview with Ma Yansong, founder of MAD Architects

What is the symbolic and functional role of the path that runs through the building, inspired by a canyon?

In modern cities, most architecture is viewed as machines for living, where people often feel disconnected from nature. Inspired by Denver’s landscapes, I wanted to change that with One River North by integrating nature into the urban living experience. The vertical canyon, which cracks through the building, introduces outdoor gardens and water features, blending indoor and outdoor spaces. This design allows residents to feel connected to the surrounding landscape, not just the city, showing how we can merge the natural environment into developed areas, making both more connected and human.

From a technical and structural point of view, how was this space at the boundary between interior and exterior designed?

We designed the canyon balconies with a step in the slab to create a 'bathtub' effect. This allows water from planters and decks to drain smoothly and control where the water flows, while also providing room for insulation to help reduce heat transfer through the slab. These more technical elements were important for creating the feeling of connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Can you describe the concept of materials and colors that were conceived and developed for the project?

For the canyon, we used a specialized plaster system which allowed us to shape the 3D surfaces precisely using a grid of CNC-bent bars. This method kept the design true to our vision. We chose lighter tones for the canyon’s deeper areas to reflect natural light and create a more natural, inviting space. For the curtain wall, we chose a low-iron glass and a reflective coating, giving the façade a seamless, monolithic look that helps highlights the canyon feature, and because of the nearby rail line, we chose thicker glass to reduce noise, so residents can enjoy a peaceful, quiet space.

What criteria guided the study of natural and artificial light?

We conducted detailed sun and shadow studies to understand how spaces would feel throughout the day and across different seasons. These studies helped us decide on the vegetation that would thrive in the various light conditions while also informing us how the natural light interacts with the architecture, creating a more immersive, comfortable experience for both residents and visitors.

What were the main challenges you faced during the design and construction process?

Some of the bigger challenges we faced was in constructing the curtain wall, as the design required a variety of unit shapes, also waterproofing the canyon area was particularly complex due to the number and variety of conditions.

>>> Also discover the collaboration between Fendi and MAD Architects, with the Fendi Men's Peekaboo ISeeU and the new Fendi MAD sneakers

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One River North - MAD Architects

©Iwan Baan, courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Parrish Ruiz De Velasco , courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Iwan Baan, courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Iwan Baan, courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Parrish Ruiz De Velasco , courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Iwan Baan, courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Vic Ryan, courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Vic Ryan, courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Parrish Ruiz De Velasco , courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Parrish Ruiz De Velasco , courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Parrish Ruiz De Velasco , courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Iwan Baan, courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Iwan Baan, courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Iwan Baan, courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Parrish Ruiz De Velasco , courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Iwan Baan, courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Iwan Baan, courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

©Iwan Baan, courtesy of MAD Architects

One River North - MAD Architects

Courtesy of MAD Architects

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