The structure incorporated glulam timber columns and reclaimed steel beams from the decommissioned Boulder Community Hospital, thereby lowering the facility’s embodied carbon. More than 25 tons of structural steel was salvaged, but each steel member had to be tested, cleaned, cataloged and custom-fabricated. The team worked closely with the structural engineer to ensure all materials were safely repurposed, developing custom rigging plans and handling protocols to protect workers during installation.

Design changes were made to the electrical gear to accommodate electric engines after the equipment had already been ordered, which delayed the arrival of power until construction’s completion. Difficulty sourcing a generator sufficient to supply full power with a sound enclosure rating of 60 dB at 30 ft caused further delays. To accommodate these unexpected schedule impacts, the city took possession of the building in phases to allow for time to complete all EM circuitry.

This is also the first project in Colorado to utilize Dupont’s Armor Wall sheathing—this high-performance wall solution incorporates structural sheathing for direct cladding attachment, fire-resistance, continuous air barrier, and water resistive barrier. This helped expedite enclosing the exterior envelope and provided an ideal substrate to attach the metal panel finished cladding system.

Following the station’s on-time and under budget delivery in September 2024, improved service delivery is now available to a significant part of the city that was not previously inside a four-minute response time.