2026 Young Firm of the Year • UNUM Collaborative

The Award

This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of a firm that has produced notable architecture for at least a decade. Award-winning firms have set an example both in design and leadership in the state. Criteria include an outstanding portfolio as a product of the firm’s collaborative environment. Through its work it has made a significant impact on its community and/or the architecture profession. Demonstrates a commitment to training future architects. Additionally, they exhibit a culture that embraces diversity and is widely known for the quality of its work, ability to work with clients and collaboration as a team by architects, designers, educators, and the public. They are known for the application of innovative technologies and/or progressive methodologies and developed works to achieve resilient and sustainable design goals. 

Presented by Will Otte, AIA
Principal at Rowland+Broughton Architecture / Urban Design / Interior Design
2026 AIA Colorado West Director

UNUM Collaborative

In fewer than ten years, UNUM Collaborative has created a compelling body of work while building a studio culture rooted in curiosity, craft, and shared authorship.

The firm’s project types range across restaurants, homes, hospitality, and adaptive-reuse developments and throughout that range, UNUM brings an uncompromising commitment to material exploration, technical resolution, and the human experience of space. Projects such as Lady Jane, York Street Yards, and ChoLon Lakehouse demonstration a holistic design approach that connects architecture, interiors, acoustics, environmental thinking, and human behavior into beautiful design solutions that are cherished by their communities.

The jury was also impressed by the collaborative practice behind the portfolio. UNUM operates
as an open studio where team members participate in project conversations, charrettes, and
design decisions across all scales. The firm invests in its people through workplace flexibility,
strong benefits, educational experiences, and a culture that treats experimentation as essential
to meaningful work.

For showing what a small, young practice can accomplish through rigor, collaboration, and a clear
design point of view, the jury is pleased to name UNUM Collaborative as the 2026 AIA Colorado
Young Firm of the Year.

Congratulations!

Why the jury selected UNUM Collaborative

• Produced a remarkably strong and varied portfolio within the firm’s first decade.
• Distinguished its work through material craft, inventive detailing, and memorable spatial experiences.
• Demonstrated design strength across hospitality, residential, adaptive reuse, retail, entertainment, and community gathering spaces.
• Created well-loved Colorado projects including ChoLon LoDo, Lady Jane, and York Street Yards.
• Uses a holistic design approach that connects architecture, interiors, engineering, acoustics, environmental thinking, and human behavior.
• Builds collaboration into daily practice through an open studio, whole-team charrettes, and transparent project conversations.
• Gives staff exposure to projects as a whole rather than limiting team members to narrowly defined roles.
• Invests in employees through competitive benefits, flexibility, retreats, and design-focused learning experiences.
• Prioritizes adaptive reuse, longevity, high performance, and spaces that foster social interaction and belonging.
• Presented the most complete combination of design ambition, technical execution, studio culture, and emerging influence among the nominees.

The annual AIA Colorado Awards honor the outstanding work of members and their firms, reinforce the value of great architecture, and highlight member contributions to positive change.