Inside the Optiv Building: A Rare Look at the Inner Workings of 1144 15th

BIG-Colorado visits Denver’s Most Striking Skyscraper

A group of Denver locals passionate about Intelligent Buildings

As one of the tallest buildings in Denver, 1144 15th is designed to impress from every angle. The lobby alone feels like a museum of modern architecture—glass, steel, and stone perfectly balanced. But the real magic is in the infrastructure.

Smart Systems and Unseen Forces

One of the most fascinating stops on the tour was the digitization of the building automation system (BAS). 1144 15th uses a variable air volume (VAV) system with dozens of zones per floor. That means tenants can fine-tune their own microclimates. Ideal comfort is not magic. It’s intelligent design.

Sky-High Engineering

At the top of the tower, we stepped onto one of the highest terraces in the city. From here, you can see everything—from Coors Field to the foothills. But what stood out was the sheer scale of the building’s HVAC and cooling towers, tucked carefully behind architectural fins to maintain the skyline’s clean lines.

The engineers explained how high-altitude weather poses unique challenges: snow loads, high wind pressures, and dry air are all factored into system design. They even use air economizers to take advantage of Denver’s cool evenings for natural ventilation and lower energy consumption. Building Facts:

• Height: 603 ft

• Floors: 40

• Completion: 2018

• Designed by: Pickard Chilton

• LEED Certification: Gold