What elements, physical or non physical, or values come to mind that contribute to creating health and well being for you and your family?

This question set the basis for our focus group sessions in exploring and creating an overarching vision plan for the development of a piece of property owned by the Colorado Health Foundation, located in the Uptown neighborhood of Denver. CHF purchased this property with the purpose of creating an affordable, family-oriented community, enriched with services that focus on the economic opportunity, health and well being, equity, and inclusion of its future residents.

The challenges faced by lower-income individuals and families in Denver, particularly those from marginalized communities, due to rising housing costs, limited sustainable employment opportunities, and inadequate access to fundamental human services, exacerbate these struggles. CHF saw this as an opportunity to address these pressing issues by creating a more inclusive, supportive, and comforting environment.

In order to deliver a truly inclusive and equitable community vision through the redevelopment of this property, CHF understood that these values would need to be embedded in the design, but more importantly, in the process of design. THE5WH’s involvement in this project consisted of designing and facilitating over seven community engagement focus groups throughout the development of the visioning plan. Additionally, THE5WH focused on providing feedback throughout the development of the design to ensure that it represented both the project values and the feedback received from the engagement process.

Our approach to these focus groups was to provide opportunities for collaborators to have an active voice in shaping their environments through visualizing a community that operates out of a new context. This new context was not focused on problems or fear, but one rooted in possibility and opportunity. These focus groups created opportunities for people to share stories of their lived experiences, and while doing so, build relationships and develop trust with their fellow community members. Our discussions did not center problems or deficiencies, but collectively explored how to create a community that centers the wellbeing of its members, creates opportunities of belonging, and discuss what a just future could feel like.

The Penn/Logan community will include affordable family, affordable senior, and for sale affordable housing with onsite services including childcare, health care and other social services, as well as outdoor areas for play and access to green spaces. When complete, the community will consist of approximately 300 housing units and 27,000 square feet of central open space.

Location: Denver, CO
Sector: Public / Community Spaces
Status: Completed, 2023
Size: N/A
Services: Equitable Design Consulting, Equitable Engagement
Project Type: Commercial / Community Engagement