The “cracked-open” building by MAD Architects in Colorado

A building that will certainly not go unnoticed has just been built north of the city of Denver, Colorado. The fully glazed main facade is slashed open like a deep wound. It is One River North (Orn), designed by Ma Yansong/Mad Architects. Designed as a canyon, the new 16-storey multi-functional complex evokes the mountainous terrain of the Mile High City with its rocky gorges and diverse vegetation.

The crack, first hinted at on the ground floor, extends from the sixth to the ninth floor along what the designers call the building's "canyon trail", a path that enhances the service function with approximately 1,200 square metres of landscaped terraces and observation points. From the ninth floor to the top, the crack narrows and becomes vertical, reaching the top of the building where a panoramic terrace overlooks the city and the Platte River that runs through Denver. 

Ma Yansong/Mad Architects

“Imagine living in a building yet feeling as though you're immersed in a natural landscape—like living within a canyon itself,” says Ma Yansong, principal architect at Mad Architects. The building houses 187 rental units spread over 15 floors, while the 800 square metre basement is occupied by a commercial space that engages with its surroundings, facilitating the flow of people and strengthening the connection between One River North and the neighbourhood. The complex is located in the River North Art District (RiNo), which has undergone a major transformation in recent years, from an industrial centre to a cultural area for artists and creative people.

The concept behind this project stems from the specific spatial conditions of the city of Denver, but is also related to a broader idea of rethinking living spaces. Ma Yansong invites us to imagine cities where “high-rise office buildings and high-rise hotels introduce sky gardens, canyons, and waterfalls. In this vision, the future city is not just made of concrete boxes anymore; it becomes a place that integrates and connects people with nature.” 

Opening image: Ma Yansong/Mad Architects, One River North, Denver, Colorado, USA, 2024. Photo © Iwan Baan