Brandon Silar

Designer

Brandon Silar joined Calthorpe Associates in 2006.   Brandon is committed and passionate about urbanism, regionalism, social science, economics, artistic expression, and democratic, multidisciplinary approaches to issues in these areas.  At Calthorpe Associates, Brandon has worked on the following projects:

  • Stapleton Redevelopment Plan, Denver, Colorado – The nation's largest redevelopment project, the former Stapleton International Airport covers 4,700 acres within the City of Denver.  Commercial, employment, civic and residential uses will all be linked by walkable streets and a continuous, site-wide armature of open space, including a restored prairie park. See built images of this on-going project.
  • Pillar Of Fire, Westminster, Colorado – Pillar Of Fire is a 240 acre project in northern Westminster.  The land will incorporate commercial/retail and small business amenities with a walkable, mixed use neighborhood and open space system.  Key features include new civic institutions such as a library and theater, a new magnet high school, and sport’s facilities for the Adams County School District; all with elevated views to Long’s Peak, the Boulder Flatirons, and Downtown Denver.
  • Peak One, Frisco, Colorado – Set in the heart of Rocky Mountain ski country, Frisco, Colorado has the heart of a small town but the rising property values and cost of living expenses of a winter resort destination.  The Town of Frisco has identified their Peak One Parcel as a potential location for affordable housing units to house their more permanent residents and workers.  Calthorpe Associates was hired to help in the facilitation of a public process to understand and address the wishes and concerns of the surrounding community, and to make recommendations to the city based on their findings.
  • Daybreak, South Jordan, Utah – Daybreak (South Jordan, UT) comprises 4,126 acres; this development is located at the base of the Oquirrh Mountains in the Salt Lake Valley. It is the largest undeveloped parcel in single ownership in the Valley. The project will include a mixed-use town center surrounded by walkable neighborhoods, each with its’ own neighborhood or village center. The development is designed around an extensive open space system comprising twenty five percent of the site. Sustainable and ecological systems will be integrated into all aspects of the community’s development, from street and building design to open space location.
  • Hazelwood, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – This 168 acre site set along the banks of the Monongahela River was formerly home to the Hazelwood LTV Coke plant.  A redevelopment plan was produced to serve as a catalyst to reinvigorate an existing suburb that has remained economically crippled since the plant ceased to operate in 1998.  The plan seeks to support the deteriorating main street with the insertion of over a thousand units of market-rate and affordable housing, numerous parks including a waterfront esplanade, and state-of-the-art research facilities; all connected to downtown Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Pittsburgh by light rail transit service.

Before joining Calthorpe Associates, Brandon worked as a Designer and 3D Graphics Specialist for The Neenan Company in Northern Colorado, and in various trade apprenticeships.
Brandon was involved in a design effort to address the concerns and future of downtown Paso Robles, California after the December 2003 earthquake badly damaged its core structures.  As part of a larger team, his collaborative studio identified and participated in development opportunities in the downtown core with the ability to encourage business, strengthen community character and provide for a more sustainably operated town center.  His studio was later awarded an Honorable Mention by the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Education Honor Award as a notable model for Architectural Education. Brandon also worked on the Solar CalPoly team to design, build and operate a sustainably conscious, energy efficient home for entry in NREL’s 2005 Solar Decathlon competition in Washington D.C.  Cal Poly was awarded 3rd place overall.
Brandon has a degree in Architecture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is currently working toward licensure.