Galena Plaza

Galena Plaza, above the City of Aspen’s Rio Grande Parking Garage, is an intimate park setting at the edge of Aspen’s downtown core. Built in 1989, the plaza waterproofing had failed allowing water infiltration to threaten the structural integrity of the parking garage below. The removal and replacement of all landscaping and hardscape was an opportunity rethink the character of the plaza and to enhance its accessibility from the downtown core and the expansion of the adjacent Pitkin County Library.

Studio B contributed to architectural modifications within the garage itself to accommodate improvements to mechanical and electrical systems and to new aesthetics for the elevator/stair pavilion used by garage patrons. City staff from different departments were integral to the design development of all plaza components - landscape, hardscape and architecture.

The new elevator/stair pavilion is intended to enhance visibility, transparency and a sense of security. A glass and steel roof admits abundant daylight while protecting the elevator and stair doorways from inclement weather. Metal bar grating clads the elevator and stair shafts with a durable finish.