How do you transform a stark production facility into a swanky advertising agency?

Once upon a time, an ad agency moved into a cinder block, box building. The building was a cold industrial space, void of personality. Enter Xan. We had worked closely with Christina and Scott Schroeder on their original office space, so we understood Rabble + Rouser’s environmental brand well. Our design solution was to infuse the space with warmth utilizing a bright, fun and whimsical color palette. We applied a residential style lighting design package for an intimate vibe. Social and family life is a part of the company culture so we created multiple private and semi-private meeting spaces to allow for creative brainstorming and happy hour gatherings. The loungy areas are intimate and productive equipped with cozy seating, chalkboards and glass dry erase boards. A large garage door/window connected to the kitchen brings the outdoors in.

“Creating a space that truly works for your organization requires more than a gifted designer, it requires a partner. Someone who you can trust to keep your opinions, budget, and best interests top of mind. Someone who is as invested in the project as you are, and who you can trust to be your voice when your voice needs to be somewhere else to keep the business running. This is the partner we had in Xan. As a result,  Xan is the partner we will have in every space design project rabble+rouser has in the future.”

— Christina Schroeder

Ambiance When greeted at the door, diners will immediately see how different the look and feel of Snooze is, compared to both traditional and non-traditional breakfast nooks.

The mastermind of Melissa at Xan Creative in Denver, Snooze’s whimsical foray into that “retro-futuristic” style is quite unique and has become a large part of their brand, conveying a comfortable but upbeat vibe.

“I keep looking up,” Butterfield said of the San Diego space he now runs, with its open steel, wood and brick architecture. Ironically, this industrial style matches their other Snooze spaces in Colorado, and it was pretty much by accident. Read entire article here, by Morgan M. Hurley

Introducing a green into the booth palette.

 

Sweet side view.

Bar counter culture.

View from the back of the restaurant.

Beautiful sky lights compliments of Public Architecture & Planning

Melissa Friday of Xan with the owner of The Great Divide Brewing Co., Brian Dunn

Xan wins another Denver Mayor’s Design Award, this time for The Great Divide Brewing Company. The Mayor’s Design Award honors creative spaces that take pride in their appearance, and contribute to making Denver a great place to live, work and play. The Great Divide space was honored in the “Oh Pioneers!” category — grassroots greatness, gritty, eclectic, and cool, a project that goes before, preparing the way for others. Our past Mayor’s Design Awards include: Snooze in 2007, and Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizzeria in 2009.

Check it out, we set up a time-lapse camera during the construction of our latest Snooze Restaurant in Boulder Colorado. Here you see our sweet Melissa Friday with Amanda Young, Snooze Boulder’s General Manager.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHp64wkiQ98

Getting Xan to design a dentist office was NOT like pulling teeth.

When the opportunity came to us, we jumped at the chance to design for health services because we knew our approach would be unique. The stand alone building is Mid-Century architecture so Dr. Rinaldi wanted a modern, retro aesthetic. Xan created a dentist office that is the exact opposite of the typical dry office we are all used to. The entire space features custom Space Branding — wall graphics, tile blends, cabinetry, color palette and commissioned art by Marisha Cowles. With a family clientele, the space is appropriate, playful and fun, yet has a clean professional polish. The fresh design actually makes you want to go to the dentist … well, almost!

“From furniture to housewares to fashion, Denver and the whole of Colorado, boasts unique and creative enterprises that foster innovation, support our quality of life, and provide jobs for talented and highly skilled workers. Now through February 2012, the nearly 52 million visitors that pass through Denver International Airport (DIA) annually can see this work on display at the Design by Colorado exhibit.

DIA’s Art and Culture Program, Arts & Venues Denver’s Create Denver initiative, and Colorado Creative Industries, are putting 28 of Colorado’s talented local designers on display in the Charles Ansbacher Hall, located between Jeppesen Terminal and A Gates security screening, just in time for the fall and holiday travel seasons. Design by Colorado kicks off the 2012 Year of Design at DIA, in which the airport’s temporary exhibitions will feature design, connecting viewers to this diverse and vibrant field.”