Olive Moya for Novel RiNo

When Crescent Communities identified a transformer wall at their Novel RiNo development as a visual liability for residents looking down from units above, they needed a solution that was aesthetically sophisticated, physically feasible in a constrained access corridor, and aligned with the design standards of one of Denver's most art-forward neighborhoods. WXLLSPACE sourced abstract geometric artist Olive Moya, managed a structured concept revision process, handled wall preparation, and coordinated the full installation at 1350 40th St in RiNo. The result is a 448 SQFT commissioned artwork that transforms a functional utility surface into a resident-facing visual feature within the River North Art District.

A transformer wall in a tight utility corridor between the building and active electrical equipment is not a natural candidate for public art. At Novel RiNo, it became one. The challenge was converting a visually problematic surface into a placemaking asset that met Crescent Communities' design standards, worked within the physical constraints of the space, and delivered value to residents whose units faced directly down onto the wall.Key challenges included:A physically restricted installation environment: the corridor between the building and the transformers limited access, equipment options, and photography captureA stakeholder team with a clear aesthetic standard and a specific concern: early design concepts were flagged for being too reminiscent of what the client described as an "80s" color sensibility, requiring a more refined and contemporary directionNo direct line-of-sight site review possible in advance; WXLLSPACE worked from stakeholder-provided photography to assess wall conditions and plan the production sequenceWall preparation had not been scoped to a single responsible party at project outset, creating a potential coordination gap before installation could begin

Schedule:Installation was coordinated around building readiness dates and Olive Moya's confirmed availability. The project agreement included a five-day grace period buffer for inclement weather.Aesthetic and brand requirements:Crescent Communities specified that the design must avoid large, flat runs of color in favor of a more layered, contemporary geometric approach. Aldo Muccia, VP and Chief Creative Officer at Crescent Communities, provided direct design feedback through the concept revision cycle. The approved direction incorporated darker blues, a refined color palette, and complex curvilinear layering.Physical access:The transformer wall is located in a tight corridor between the building structure and active electrical equipment. Access for installation, equipment staging, and post-completion photography was constrained throughout the project.Safety:The proximity of the wall to active transformer equipment required careful sequencing of wall preparation and production activity.Surface:The wall surface was confirmed as concrete. Surface type was assessed for material consumption prior to primer and paint procurement.Weather and seasonality:Installation occurred in April to May 2023. A five-day weather buffer was built into the project agreement.Budget:The project was managed within a defined budget covering the mural, wall preparation, and materials. No pricing figures are included in this case study.

April 2023: Site intake and scope definitionJason Lotz at Crescent Communities provided site photography of the transformer wall to support the remote site review. WXLLSPACE used the provided images to assess surface conditions, confirm wall dimensions (448 SQFT on a concrete exterior surface), and identify access constraints for the installation sequence.Artist sourcingOlive Moya was identified and greenlit as the preferred artist for this project based on her geometric and abstract style, which aligned with the aesthetic standard Crescent Communities required for a development in the RiNo River North Art District.Concept development and revisionOlive Moya developed initial mockup concepts for Crescent Communities' review. Feedback from Aldo Muccia and Jason Lotz directed the design away from large color blocks and toward a more complex layered approach with darker blues and refined curvilinear geometry. WXLLSPACE facilitated direct feedback loops via text and email between the stakeholder team and Jordan Giha throughout the revision cycle. Revised concepts received stakeholder approval before production proceeded.Design visualization for investor alignmentTo support stakeholder and investor buy-in ahead of installation, WXLLSPACE coordinated design renderings using Midjourney alongside Olive Moya's custom mockups. These materials gave the Crescent Communities team a clear visual reference for the approved design at scale.Wall preparationWXLLSPACE managed wall preparation and primer procurement as part of the project scope. Surface prep was staged in advance of Olive Moya's arrival to ensure the production phase could proceed in a controlled, sequenced manner. Primer and paint were provided to the site by WXLLSPACE.Compliance and vendor coordinationProject documentation was managed through CC RiNo, LLC, including demand check processing and W9 coordination for the artist.

Location: 1350 40th St, RiNo, Denver, CO (Novel RiNo development)Install window: April to May 2023; prep and priming estimated at one week prior to paint applicationCrew: Olive Moya (artist); WXLLSPACE production managementTotal mural size: 448 SQFTSurface: Concrete exteriorAccess: Tight corridor between building structure and active transformer equipmentWall height: UnknownEquipment used: Unknown (constrained access corridor limited staging options)Materials: Primer and paint procured and delivered to site by WXLLSPACEDaily working hours: Standard site hours (specific hours Unknown)Style: Colorful geometric and abstract composition with complex layering, refined palette, and curvilinear line work

Schedule:Installation was coordinated around building readiness dates and Olive Moya's confirmed availability. The project agreement included a five-day grace period buffer for inclement weather.Aesthetic and brand requirements:Crescent Communities specified that the design must avoid large, flat runs of color in favor of a more layered, contemporary geometric approach. Aldo Muccia, VP and Chief Creative Officer at Crescent Communities, provided direct design feedback through the concept revision cycle. The approved direction incorporated darker blues, a refined color palette, and complex curvilinear layering.Physical access:The transformer wall is located in a tight corridor between the building structure and active electrical equipment. Access for installation, equipment staging, and post-completion photography was constrained throughout the project.Safety:The proximity of the wall to active transformer equipment required careful sequencing of wall preparation and production activity.Surface:The wall surface was confirmed as concrete. Surface type was assessed for material consumption prior to primer and paint procurement.Weather and seasonality:Installation occurred in April to May 2023. A five-day weather buffer was built into the project agreement.Budget:The project was managed within a defined budget covering the mural, wall preparation, and materials. No pricing figures are included in this case study.