designboom showcases the innovative mobile installations created for Denver’s inaugural Common Ground Community Design Festival, designed to bring community identity and connection into public spaces. Lavender Hill is featured as a community partner, with Executive Director Zach Kotel serving on the organizing team behind the collaborative design initiative.

CU Denver explores how students brought their design skills out of the classroom and into the community through the inaugural Common Ground Community Design Festival. The project brought students together with community partners, including Lavender Hill, to create installations that reflect local identity, foster connection, and demonstrate the power of community-centered design.

Hoodline highlights Common Ground’s student-built installations as a centerpiece of Doors Open Denver and downtown’s evolving public spaces. Lavender Hill is featured as a project partner, with its installation creating a queer-affirming space celebrating Denver’s LGBTQ+ history, culture, and creativity.

The Denver Gazette highlights Common Ground as part of Doors Open Denver, featuring community-designed installations that transform downtown public spaces. Lavender Hill’s queer-affirming installation celebrates Denver’s LGBTQ+ history and creativity, with Executive Director Zach Kotel serving on the Common Ground organizing team.

Developing Denver previews the inaugural Common Ground Community Design Festival, bringing together local organizations, designers, and students to reimagine public space through community-driven design. Lavender Hill is featured as an organizing partner, with Executive Director Zach Kotel serving on the festival’s organizing team.

e-flux highlights Common Ground, Denver’s inaugural Community Design Festival, bringing together designers, students, and community organizations to explore how design can strengthen public life. Lavender Hill helped launch the initiative, with Executive Director Zach Kotel serving on the organizing team and the district participating as a community partner.

ASLA Colorado/Wyoming speaks with Lavender Hill Executive Director Zach Kotel about the vision behind Denver’s queer cultural district and the role thoughtful design can play in creating welcoming, inclusive public spaces.

This feature explores Lavender Hill’s role in economic development along Colfax, including its support of queer-owned businesses, efforts to address commercial vacancy, and the challenges surrounding BRT construction and business vitality.

A look into Zach Kotel’s leadership and the design/placemaking strategy behind Lavender Hill Cultural District in Denver, Colorado.

A grassroots initiative is working to establish a cultural and historical district in the city to draw tourism, customers to LGBTQ+ businesses.