MOA ARCHITECTURE

Plant Day at MOA ARCHITECTURE! 🌿

Our office got a little greener this week thanks to Plant Day, a favorite tradition that brings teammates together to share plants, swap tips, and add a little more life to our workspaces.

A huge thank you to our Social Committee for organizing another great event, and special recognition to our resident green thumbs, Yandy and Jacki, for sharing their expertise, answering questions, and helping everyone find the perfect plants for their space. Their knowledge, enthusiasm, and organization made the day a success!

Fletcher Miller School in Jeffco Public Schools has a specialized program supporting students with diverse learning and sensory needs. We shaped a multi-sensory environment through thoughtful, detail-driven design to support students with a wide range of abilities, especially those with visual, cognitive, and sensory processing challenges.

Key features include:
✅ Tactile wall panels for orientation and sensory engagement
✅ Flexible room signage that integrates tactile symbols and object-based cues
✅ Graphic maps to support wayfinding for all learners
✅ Custom open cubbies with dry erase board cabinet fronts that provide clear visual cues

These purposeful design details help students better understand their environment, build independence, and move through their day with confidence.

-12Design

Swipe to see architects in their natural habitat.

One of our Advocate Houses recently spent the day exploring the Denver Botanic Gardens, appreciating the plants, the architecture, and, of course, geeking out over some incredible structural design.

At MOA, every team member is part of an Advocate House, a cross-disciplinary group led by firm leadership that serves as a space for mentorship, support, professional growth, and team building. Think Hogwarts houses, but with architects, designers, and a lot more construction talk.

Fun fact: Those striking splayed columns? They became a source of inspiration for our team’s design of the new Stanley Film Center, currently under construction in Estes Park and anticipated to open in 2028.

Proof that architects never really stop looking at buildings.

What starts as a cost-saving idea doesn’t always end that way.

When evaluating an existing building for a behavioral healthcare facility, adaptive reuse seemed like the clear path forward—until hidden challenges surfaced:

🔍 Complex regulatory requirements
⚙️ Infrastructure limitations
🧠 Behavioral health safety design needs
🔄 Workflow inefficiencies
💸 Cost + risk that rivaled new construction

Not every building is meant to be reused—and the right decision starts with early, thorough evaluation.

📖 Read more in Colorado Construction & Design Magazine (link in bio)

Before it became Casper CitiWerks, this building was already a cornerstone of downtown Casper life. Built in 1896, it was one of the largest masonry buildings in town, featuring retail shops on the ground floor and a public hall above used for dances, political meetings, and community gatherings. The first event — a Christmas night dance — lasted until 5:00 a.m., setting the tone for a space designed to bring people together.

Over the decades, the building evolved alongside Casper, serving as Odd Fellows Hall, later housing retail spaces including a long-standing Woolworth’s, and most recently RW Tauberts outdoor clothing store. Today, CitiWerks restores that original civic spirit, reactivating the building as a destination for work, hospitality, culture, and community connection in the heart of downtown.

The new Casper–Natrona County Health Department is a place where services, learning, and community support come together.

With expanded space and intentional design, the facility now brings vital programming and support areas under one roof. This includes a dedicated home for the Natrona County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, allowing expanded nutrition support and family‑focused services that weren’t possible before.

The new office space also gives the department room to host trainings on essential skills like CPR and first aid, helping community members be better prepared for emergencies.

Technological upgrades open the door for broadcasts and video conferences, making it easier to deliver education, remote trainings, and collaborative meetings.

And with improved facilities for environmental services, the team has more robust tools to support public safety efforts, helping keep Natrona County healthy and thriving.

As part of our design process for the new Fletcher Miller replacement school for Jeffco Public Schools - Colorado, we took an in-depth approach to understanding the unique needs of students with significant disabilities. One important lesson came when we asked the stakeholder group about the largest wheelchair in use at the old school.

The response was eye-opening: one student uses a fully reclined wheelchair measuring 27” x 72” — much longer than the minimum clear space (30” x 52”) and turning space (67” diameter circle) required by code. This realization reinforced the need for more space in the design, not just to meet code, but to fully accommodate the larger, more complex wheelchairs that students at Fletcher Miller use.

We’ve designed a school that goes beyond the minimum, creating a truly inclusive environment where students have the space they need to thrive.

Please join us in welcoming Marco Cordova to MOA ARCHITECTURE’s Denver office this summer!

Marco is a fourth-year Environmental Design student at the University of Colorado Boulder who brings a passion for thoughtful, community-centered design and a curiosity for how great ideas become reality. Drawn to architecture’s blend of creativity, technical problem-solving, and collaboration, he’s eager to expand his skills and gain hands-on experience across a variety of project types.

Originally from Aurora, Colorado, Marco loves spending time outdoors, whether he’s hiking Boulder’s peaks, cooling off in a mountain creek, or exploring Colorado’s trails.

This summer, Marco is looking forward to strengthening his professional skillset, and gaining exposure to healthcare, education, and other project sectors as he prepares for his final year at CU Boulder.

Welcome to the team, Marco! We’re excited to be part of your architectural journey.

This month, our Social Committee hosted a Paint & Sip led by our very own talented artist, Donte Turner! From seasoned painters to first-time brush holders, the afternoon gave our team a chance to unwind, get creative, and connect outside of project work.

We believe strong teams are built not only through collaboration in the office, but also through moments like these that bring people together. Huge thanks to Donte and our Social Committee for organizing such a fun event! 🖌️🍷

The new Casper–Natrona County Health Department was conceptualized with biophilic design at its core. Every element, from interior finishes to exterior forms, is designed to bring people closer to nature.

Natural materials, daylight, and views to the outdoors create a calming environment for both staff and visitors. Curved forms and organic patterns reflect the surrounding landscape, grounding the building in its Wyoming context.

Biophilic design isn’t just about aesthetics. Research shows it reduces stress, supports wellbeing, and strengthens connection to place. In a facility devoted to public health, this design approach enhances the experience of everyone who steps inside.