OUTSIDE OUR COMFORT ZONE
Where the grass is always greener.
While JNS has always worked in sectors outside the hotel industry—from multifamily developments to the reimagining of landmark buildings—our background in hospitality has shaped the way we view every project. In particular, the mixed private and public spaces at hotels are a unique feature of their functionality, making them destinations for far larger audiences than the guests who happen to sleep there.
Over the past few years, some of the more outside-the-box projects to which we’ve applied this experience are public golf clubhouses, including the Foothills Golf Clubhouse in Jefferson County. In this particular case, the client had identified that the previous clubhouse (built in 1974) needed to be replaced by a structure that served a larger audience than the golfers, themselves. From the families of athletes to guests who simply enjoy dining and entertaining with a view, there was a clear opportunity to utilize the space in several different ways. And therein lay the challenge: with events as varied as large weddings, weekend brunch and corporate meetings, it was important that the new clubhouse served varied needs.
Yet when your audience is “everyone,” you always risk creating something so flexible as to be generic. To avoid this pitfall, we found identity and meaning for the clubhouse in building an enduring, sustainable structure whose design would complement and maximize the beauty of the surrounding landscape. This philosophy was embodied in an eye-catching mass timber approach and expanded west-facing deck, as well as an emphasis on indoor-outdoor activations that elegantly adapt to a range of different occasions.
We are thrilled to finally have photos of this 2024 project, which you can now view on our website. Thank you not only to our incredible team, but also to the staff of the Foothills Park & Recreation District for making this collaboration such an incredible success.
A DENVER LANDMARK
As we reflect on our work at Foothills, it brings us back to yet another public recreational project: the City Park Golf Clubhouse. This LEED Gold-certified structure has influenced our approach to many other public spaces, with an emphasis on long-term structural integrity and flexible design that can adapt to a range of events. What we could not have anticipated in 2019 was the dramatic increase in golf’s popularity during the pandemic—which led to an increasing number of non-golfers being exposed to this stunning space. Today, we are most proud that this Clubhouse has weathered these social shifts beautifully, becoming an iconic destination within the city’s ever-changing landscape.
IN THE STUDIO
In September, we were thrilled to take part in Doors Open Denver, the Denver Architecture Foundation’s signature annual event. This year, in addition to tours of local architectural gems, programming included a brand new “On the Boards” initiative in which 18 local firms opened their doors to the public to showcase recent and forthcoming projects. Our team graciously dedicated extra hours and effort to preparing, and we were thrilled that so many of the visitors were young people interested in pursuing a profession in architecture and design. It was a wonderful moment to reflect on what we love about our profession and to help guide the next generation of up-and-coming talent.