H2OME by LIFECORE Flooring at Populus Hotel: Setting New Standards for Sustainability in the Nation’s First Carbon-Positive Hotel

The newly opened Populus Hotel in Denver has set an ambitious precedent. Crafted by Studio Gang, this 13-story hotel holds the title of the United States’ first carbon-positive hotel. Across 265 guest rooms, Populus redefines eco-friendly hospitality and boasts a vision for sustainability with its groundbreaking design and innovative practices.

Central to achieving this ambitious goal is Populus’s commitment to sustainable materials — including the use of LIFECORE’s H2OME waterproof hardwood flooring, selected for its environmental integrity and contribution to the hotel’s sustainability goals. Read on to discover the unique ways Populus has transformed hotel design, alongside the utility of LIFECORE H2OME Floors to support this design.

• Populus Hotel: Architectural Design Rooted in Nature
  • Beyond Operational Sustainability: Populus’s Carbon-Positive Commitment
• H2OME: Sustainable Flooring for the Future of Hospitality
• LIFECORE Supports a New Standard for Eco-Friendly Flooring

Populus Hotel: Architectural Design Rooted in Nature

Populus draws from nature to blend beauty with functionality, inspired by Colorado’s iconic aspen trees. The hotel’s design integrates biophilic elements, intending to enhance the connection between guests and the natural environment. Take the facade’s eye-shaped windows — reminiscent of aspen bark, these windows provide shade while efficiently channeling rainwater, reducing the building’s energy needs for temperature control. Achieving this design philosophy was a collaborative effort between Urban Villages, Fowler Architecture, Wildman Chalmers Design, and The Beck Group.

“With Populus, we really wanted to capture the feeling of how we experience nature every day,” says Michelle Fowler of Fowler Architecture, one of the architects instrumental in designing the property. “For example, when you’re walking through the forest, there’s a constant subtle interplay of light and shadow, of texture and form. Those are the qualities that we wanted to capture and convey inside to space to make it feel very calm and very tranquil.”

In keeping with its sustainability goals, Populus aims to achieve LEED Gold certification. The building also integrates sustainable materials throughout — such as concrete mixed with fly ash to reduce carbon emissions during construction, reclaimed Wyoming snow fences in interiors, and a green roof that serves as a habitat for local wildlife.

Beyond Operational Sustainability: Populus’s Carbon-Positive Commitment

Thanks to the hotel’s mission to offset the carbon emissions generated through construction, materials, and day-to-day operations, Populus distinguishes itself within the eco-conscious hospitality landscape. The hotel has pledged to plant over 70,000 Engelmann spruce trees across Colorado, offsetting embodied carbon and enhancing local ecosystems. Populus also plants a tree for every night a guest stays — creating a tangible and lasting impact on the environment.

Populus’s commitment to sustainability is also echoed within other specific design choices. Take the hotel’s decision to forego on-site parking — encouraging guests to utilize greener transportation options. This focus on sustainability is mirrored by LIFECORE’s dedication to eco-conscious manufacturing processes through the H2OME flooring line.

H2OME: Sustainable Flooring for the Future of Hospitality

Keeping with their commitment to sustainable materials, The Populus Hotel chose LIFECORE’s H2OME waterproof hardwood flooring due to its superior performance and sustainable construction. H2OME is crafted from real hardwood, durable enough to withstand high-traffic hospitality settings. Enhanced by closed cell construction and advanced edge coating, H2OMEs’ waterproof technology provides resilience in the face of spills and heavy use—an essential feature for hotels aiming for lasting performance.

H2OME also features ultra-low VOC emissions — making it a natural fit for Populus’s wellness-oriented design. LIFECORE floors promote indoor air quality, aligning with the hotel’s dedication to guest comfort and environmental health.

LIFECORE Supports a New Standard for Eco-Friendly Flooring

Populus demonstrates how thoughtful design, sustainable materials, and innovative practices can come together to create a genuinely eco-conscious hospitality experience. The hotel’s commitment to sustainability extends from community commitments to eco-friendly flooring — including LIFECORE H2OME waterproof hardwoods.

H2OME flooring serves as a testament to how manufacturers like LIFECORE are leading the way in merging performance with environmental responsibility. This partnership not only enhances Populus’s guest experience, but also supports a more sustainable future for the industry as a whole. Contact us today and learn how you can make a difference with hardwood flooring on your property — whether it’s a massive hotel or a cozy, intimate home.