Art + Science in Balance
Santulan Architecture
Santulan is a boutique architecture firm specializing in multifamily and mixed-use projects. Our innovative practice balances the art and science of design to optimize the built environment.
WHERE WE WORK
We are located in the Arts District on Santa Fe in the Historic Baker Neighborhood of Denver. We developed our own Mixed Use project wherein the Santulan Headquarters occupy the ground floor, and Tula Apartments, a 25 unit apartment community resides on the upper floors. Our highly sustainable design prioritizes raw, natural materials, such as wood, steel, concrete, and masonry, balancing functionality with honest aesthetic expression. With high ceilings, ample natural light, biophilic design elements, biking infrastructure, exercise facilities, and an amply shaded & landscaped rooftop deck with breathtaking views, the building aims to inspire a sense of community and well-being amongst visitors, residents and employees alike.
who we are
We are a collaborative group of experienced architects and designers driven by the belief that truly great design is the result of art and science in balance. Cultivating expertise in design, building systems, code regulations, sustainability, and technology in equal measure, we deliver designs as elegant as they are functional and robust. While our team is based in Denver, our work spans a variety of multifamily and mixed-use projects across the region.
what we do
Santulan provides comprehensive architectural services for multifamily, mixed-use and related markets. Through decades of experience, we have perfected a methodology that results in complex designs that are simple to build. Our specialization provides us with a deep understanding of the challenges that come with designing, entitling, constructing, leasing, and operating a building, and we have used this experience to successfully deliver thousands of market-rate, affordable and senior housing units. Our buildings are Efficient, Durable, Innovative, Inclusive, Contextual, Sustainable, and Safe.
our buildings are
Efficient
We deliver cost and space efficient designs without ever compromising the beauty and functionality of the building. We use our design ingenuity to extract greater functionality out of limited spaces, adding great value to the project.
Durable
Our buildings are both physically and stylistically durable, ensuring their longevity and marketability. Our firmwide emphasis on technical knowhow and building sciences results in durable buildings that reduce liability.
Innovative
We keep up with trends in technology to ensure that from research, design, documentation, construction, marketing, all the way to leasing; our buildings are on the forefront of technological sophistication.
Inclusive
Our designs promote equity by employing best practices like Universal Design and Healthy Living Principles. Our buildings are designed to foster social interaction and to cultivate a community where all are welcome.
Contextual
Our designs are context responsive and they integrate seamlessly into their neighborhoods. We take great pride in being responsible stewards of the architectural heritage bequeathed to us.
Sustainable
We bring expertise in the latest sustainable design certification programs like LEED, NGBS, & Enterprise Green Communities. But even on projects not seeking certifications, we design for human wellness and protecting the planet’s resources.
Safe
Our designs address both the perception and realities of building safety to facilitate the best possible user experience. A sense of safety is a pre-requisite to creating a sense of community.
our committments
At Santulan we believe in a set of core values. In the pursuit of these values, we pledge the following commitments to our clients, our city, our building users, our profession, and to ourselves.
To Our Clients:
- We will listen to you. Your goals will be treated as our design parameters.
- We will be approachable. You will have ready access to our whole project team from principals, to project managers, to designers, to consultants.
- We will be nimble. We understand that project timelines are long, and budgets and schedules need constant adjustment. Our flexible structure will allow us to respond to project turbulence quickly and effectively.
- We will go to bat for you. From the entitlement process through construction, we will be your tireless advocates.
- We will be efficient. We will assiduously pursue cost and space efficiency without sacrificing the beauty and functionality of the building.
To Our City:
- We will play an active role in the smart and responsible growth of our City. We will strive to create a more sustainable and equitable built environment.
- Our designs will be contextual. We will be responsible stewards of our architectural heritage.
- We will stridently advocate for widespread access to affordable housing.
To our Building Users:
- Resident convenience will be foremost in our minds. We believe that the ultimate role of a building is to improve the lives of its users.
- We will use design to promote resident wellness. Our buildings will promote healthy habits and provide ample connection to the outdoors.
- We will use design to promote equity. Our buildings will be designed to foster social interaction and to cultivate a community where all are welcome.
To our Profession:
- A building, its systems, its environment, and its users are part of an interconnected whole. Our design process will evaluate that interconnected whole in a holistic way, never unduly prioritizing one aspect over another.
- We will be steeped in building sciences and understand the construction process. With careful attention to constructability and technical detailing, we will ensure durable buildings that reduce liability.
- We will be steeped in building codes and other regulations. A deep understanding of codes will be baked into our design process.
- We will not be style-bound. We will employ a broad stylistic palette to create contextual buildings with bespoke designs. We will create designs that are of their time, yet timeless.
To Ourselves:
- We will value diversity. We believe that a team with a broad variety of perspectives and backgrounds makes better decisions. We will listen to each other with empathy and without preconception.
- We will favor collaboration over conflict. A respectful open dialogue based on mutual trust and compassion creates a more inclusive work environment and prioritizes problem solving.
- We believe that learning and growth is a never-ending process. We will strive to keep up with cutting edge trends in our profession. We will share our knowledge widely within the firm to solidify the knowledge base of the entire team.
- We will refrain from overt stratification and hierarchy within our firm. All our team members will be cultivated to be whole architects with broad knowledge bases and diverse skill sets.
