October 17, 2019
BPX Energy, BP America Production Co. Denver Headquarters
BEST PROJECT
Owner: BPX Energy
Lead Design Firm: Stantec
Architect (Core-and-Shell): Tryba Architects
General Contractor: Saunders Construction
Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti Inc.
MEP Engineer: MTech Mechanical Technologies Group Inc.
Electrical Engineer: Columbine Engineering Inc.
Situated on the top three levels of the Riverview at 1700 Platte, the 138,000-sq-ft BPX Energy headquarters is home to 230 offices constructed out of glass demountable partitions with floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning views of the Denver skyline. The office space encourages comfort, collaboration and wellness, creating a modern work environment focused on work-life balance. As one Saunders project team was constructing the initial core and shell of 1700 Platte, BPX selected Levels 3-5 of the building for its future BPX Energy headquarters.
Situated on Denver’s South Platte River, near the hip Highlands neighborhood, the building presented a challenge from the start. BPX required significant structural modifications to an almost-complete core and shell. This meant that the two Saunders project teams had to balance their clients’ respective project goals while working concurrently to manage operational efficiency and internal expectations.
Another large structural modification resulted from the inclusion of the three-story “X” staircase. Fabricated in pieces and hoisted in through a 5-ft by 7-ft window on the fourth floor, the porcelain staircase took just two days to assemble once it was inside the building. This design element is meant to represent the drilling rigs in the oil and gas industry as well as pay homage to the owner’s formal name—BPX Energy.
Tryba Architects served as the architect-of-record for the core and shell portion of the project, and BPX’s office interiors were designed by Stantec. The juxtaposition of the riverfront and its surrounding historic, brick architecture allowed for a creative design that showcases the best of both worlds. A courtyard on the east side serves a dual purpose—it’s an amenity for employees and also a passive stormwater quality filtration system, one of the first in Denver.