Wells Fargo Center, Denver, CO / 2016

Decades after its 1983 completion, this landmark—affectionately known by locals as the “Cash Register Building”—required a thoughtful refresh to restore the prominence of its dramatic, eight-story glass lobby. Working in close collaboration with the city of Denver and Beacon Capital Partners, we set out to revitalize this light-filled atrium with a design that honors Johnson’s modernist legacy while firmly rooting the building in the digital age.

The centerpiece of the transformation is a series of five 85-foot-tall LED columns that soar through the lobby, together forming the largest piece of public art in Denver. This monumental installation is powered by unique algorithms that generate nature-inspired animations drawn from Colorado’s diverse landscapes. The digital content is ever-evolving and responsive, shifting in real-time based on current weather conditions to create a living, breathing connection between the interior environment and the world outside.

The installation further engages the community through its intricate digital storytelling. A flock of 3,600 digital birds traverses a luminous blue sky, programmed so that no two flight patterns are ever the same, while immersive landscape mosaics incorporate artistic imagery sourced from local Instagram users. By turning the lobby into a collaborative, tech-driven canvas, the design successfully reinvigorates the Wells Fargo Center, ensuring this historic architectural landmark remains a vibrant and essential fixture of the Denver skyline.

CN Core Responsibilities /

/ Physical Designer
/ 3d design, detailing and rendering
/ Technology integration and detailing
/ Custom lighting design
/ Interior Design