Mortenson Headquarters

Mortenson’s new headquarters in Denver’s River North (RiNo) Art District presented an opportunity to design a wayfinding and signage system that is both functional and expressive — rooted in place, grounded in legacy, and oriented toward the future.

The design draws from RiNo’s industrial past while reflecting Mortenson’s evolution as a future-forward company. Blackened metals, layered fabrication, and refined detailing reference the permanence and craftsmanship of historic warehouse architecture, while contemporary forms and strategic color accents introduce a modern sensibility. Rather than feeling applied, the signage system was designed to feel like an integrated layer of the architecture itself.

A custom brush accent pattern — inspired by the movement of water and the River North identity — was developed to add depth and visual energy across wayfinding supergraphics, directional elements, and ADA signage. These expressive touches enhance clarity and circulation while anchoring the system in the local context. On the exterior, sculptural, layered address numerals extend this design language into the public realm, delivering a bold entry marker that reflects Mortenson’s scale and craft.

The result is a cohesive environmental graphics and wayfinding system that supports intuitive navigation, reinforces identity, and elevates the overall experience — from exterior arrival to interior circulation — offering a thoughtful blend of character, clarity, and place.