A Confluence of Art - The Exterior

EXTERIOR MURALS, GRAPHIC DESIGN, AND SCULPTURES

In the last of our three posts on local artwork within and surrounding the project, we are examining the murals and sculptures on the exterior of the project. See parts one and two for more information on Willow Street Plaza and the building interior.

For residential and commercial unit availability, please see. All of the works below are freely accessible during the day, so please be sure to come visit in person!

Untitled, Tony Zellaha, Color Pusher: Making Art + murals + paintings + illustrations + chalkart in Denver, Colorado

Paint on concrete

This one-hundred-foot-long mural stretches along the Poudre Street garage wall, brightening an otherwise blank area with imagined plants, fish and animals that inhabit the confluence of two rivers.

Contracted through Nine Dot Arts

“Zellaha’s signature fine lines of gradually shifting colors give an otherworldly depth to each element, while the texture of the concrete is allowed to shine through.”

Completed Mural - Detail

Detail view.

Completed Mural - Overall

Overall view.

Completed Mural - Detail

Detail view of bird and river.

Completed Mural - Detail

Detail view of butterfly interacting with building drain with remainder of mural behind.

Overall Elevation

Partial elevation of Building 3 with mural below at garage level.

Elevation Panorama

With mural at ground level and units above.

Study Sketches

Pencil line work for final proposal. Courtesy of Nine Dot Arts.

Color Studies

Color detail studies for final proposal. Courtesy of Nine Dot Arts.

Untitled, Allie Ogg, Illustrator, Designer & Maker

Paint on concrete

A confluence of colorful leaves and moths provide a long-axis focal point and a splash of color to the courtyard, while preserving the raw texture of the bare concrete.

[au]workshop worked directly with Allie to choose from several concepts relating to the nearby river, and to explore how the work would engage with the concrete surface of the second level courtyard wall.

See additional process images and a time - lapse video of the painting in the gallery below.

“ The overlapping colors produce multiple layers of depth ala Rowe and Slutzky’s ‘phenomenal’ transparency, with literally transparent portions allowing the texture of the raw concrete to shine through. ”

Completed Mural

At rear exit of courtyard.

Three Concepts

During initial planning phase.

Mockup of Selected Scheme

Final proposal before addition of moths.

Mockup Study in Situ

Photoshopped onto the wall during construction.

Wall and Paint Texture

Detail view of the overlapping colors producing ‘phenomenal transparency’ ala Rowe and Slutzky, with literally transparent portions allowing the texture of the raw concrete to shine through.

Overall Completed Mural

Between Buildings 1 and 2.

Allie Ogg Timelapse

Over three days of painting with some pauses for weather and a few camera malfunctions.

Completed Mural from Courtyard With unit porches in foreground.

View from Courtyard

Ogg’s friendly shapes and vivid colors provide a vibrant focal point at the end of the courtyard axis.

Confluence Ghost Sign and project directional signage, [au]workshop architects + urbanists, painted by Daniel Crosier. Paint wash on cedar siding, paint on steel.

The “weathered” project name sign in the Confluence Entry Court echoes the historic “ghost signs” of downtown that have faded with time, with the hope that age will bring additional patina and character to the piece. After a series of experiments to determine the appropriate technique and final location, Daniel Crosier executed the final piece.

The entry is also highlighted by brightly colored address and directional signs designed by [au]workshop.

“Signs are social. They identify, direct, and decorate. In a world full of uniform and unimaginative advertising, ‘ghost signs’ contain the originality and history that others lack. ”

— City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation

’Ghost Sign’ from the ’Prow’

Looking out from the courtyard, with the weathered mural appearance visible.

Entry Court

With orange building signage and ghost sign visible.

Ghost Sign from the Courtyard With Ranchway Feeds visible beyond.

Entry Court

With orange building signage and ghost sign visible.

Untitled, [au]workshop architects + urbanists (to be installed Fall, 2020)

Waterjet-cut weathering steel sculpture with integrated downlighting. [au]workshop went through many iterations of the design to arrive at the final piece.

The text describes the impressions one of the Poudre River Valley’s early anglo - european visitors. Ansel Watrous’ (a local historian) 1911 book, “History of Larimer County, Colorado” includes excerpts of a letter sent in 1852 by one J.R. Todd, who was moving west from Iowa. Ansel Watrous’ own writing tends to be somewhat dry and pragmatic, but Todd is expansive on the beauty of the Cache la Poudre river basin:

Speaking directly to the beauty of the river banks, as well as to its relationship with ongoing human development, this passage invites visitors to ponder their place in our shared history.

Fabrication by Hueber Industries

Additional funding by the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority; the sculpture is sited within a public easement in the Confluence Entry Court.

“ “Its waters were full of trout of the speckled or mountain variety. The undulating bluffs sloped gently to the valley which was carpeted with the most luxuriant grasses. It was in June, the mildest and most beautiful part of the summer in the western country, when the days were pleasant, the nights cool and mornings crisp and bracing. The sky was scarcely ever obscured by clouds, and its vaulted blue, golden tinted in the morning and evening, was like a dream of beauty. Not an ax had marred the symmetry of the groves of trees that lined the banks. Not a plow, or spade, or hoe had ever broken its virgin soil. Wild flowers of the richest hue beautified the landscape, while above all towered the majestic Rocky Mountains to the westward of the valley, like the grim sentinels they are, ever watching, watching and noting this advancing vanguard of civilization.” ”

— -J.R. Todd, From Ansel Watrous’ ’History of Larimer County, Colorado’

Sculpture - Evening

Internal illumination test with Maxwell Render. Orientation of final sculpture revised.

Sculpture - Day

Lighting study in Maxwell Render testing text legibility without internal illumination.

In Process... Waterjet cut and welded core-ten sculpture ready for installation, expected November 2020.

Final Shop Drawings

Courtesy of Hueber Industries.

Early Axonometric Study

Of vision for two-sided sculpture, with translucent laminated glass for internal illumination.

Early Vision Rendering

Internally illuminated two-sided sculpture with laminated glass.

Study Models

Of the revised sculpture form.

Sculpture - Evening

Internal illumination test with Maxwell Render. Orientation of final sculpture revised.