One River North

Tapped to furnish a Denver high-rise that boldly pays homage to its surroundings, Rhiannon Roberson sought elevated pieces that complemented a modern yet earthy aesthetic.

Denver’s RiNo district is located north of the Platte River, adjacent to downtown and with views of the mountains. It’s a cool-kid neighborhood where old warehouses give way to wine bars, art galleries, and striking high-rises such as One River North, a spectacular residential tower that showcases a landscaped rift inspired by the canyons formed by the Colorado River.

When Beijing-born architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects designed it, he integrated nature and architecture within its indoor and outdoor spaces. The smooth-edged cracks and curves cutting through it teem with drought-tolerant plants adaptable to Colorado. Residents adventure up and across the canyon, passing from foothill to trail to alpine plateau.

Enter Rhiannon Roberson of Davis Partnership Architects, expanding on Yansong’s natural aesthetic. “I grew up hiking these mountains, whose variety of textures and tones, woods and waters influenced and inspired me as I contemplated the project,” she said. A past visit to the Sossego Design showroom also shaped her plan. “I was smitten by Aristeu Pires’ beautifully crafted Brazilian-modern furniture and knew one day his Duda chairs and stools would be perfect for a project. This was it,” she said.

Rhiannon’s selections reflect a mix of woods and color tones encountered in a forest or on a trail, pairing beautifully with the building’s landscaped canyon and curvy, plaster-finished design features. For seating at the sleek, quartz-topped counter where residents gather, she chose the Duda counter stool in sustainably harvested Jequitibá wood with Belgian Meadow upholstery. At round tables throughout the space and in the nearby conference room, the Duda chair in Jequitibá with upholstery in chocolate Maiori paired well. “The Duda has an attractive price point, and that curve in the chair’s back flows like water,” said Rhiannon.

To create an impactful lobby, there were practical and aesthetic considerations: residents coming and going and the desire for a clear and harmonious view of the outdoors. With its body-hugging contour hand formed of baked-in-the-sun cardboard, the Leiras chair by Domingos Totora was a stunning choice. “It’s comfortable, insanely proportionate for anyone I’ve seen in it, and as with all Sossego pieces, the story behind the chair is fascinating,” the furniture specialist told us.

Pires’ Ylla bench in sleek Jequitibá beckons just across the lobby. Though rarely empty, up to four individuals can enjoy its satiny ripples and curves that evoke a mountain stream at once. Like the other Sossego pieces and the Fitwel-certified building they’re part of, the light and airy Ylla brings the outdoors in. “My client, who has excellent taste, is quite pleased with the project. I am, too. Bringing good design to the place I’ve lived since I was two years old is incredibly honoring.”