REGULAR Architecture

Design shapes how we gather. And how we gather shapes everything. We’re honored to spotlight or sponsor @regulararchitecture —a studio rethinking the role of space in hospitality, and a proud supporter of the Up NXT community. Recently recognized as AIA Colorado’s 2025 Designer of the Year, @kevinnguyen_5280 of Regular approaches design with intention, clarity, and restraint—creating environments that holistically elevate experience. Their work lives in the details: how light settles across a table, how a room invites conversation, how a space holds energy without forcing it. Regular architecture understands hospitality at its core—not just how a place looks, but how it feels to be engage with it. At Up NXT, where chefs, ideas, and communities are constantly evolving, partners like Regular Architecture make it possible to create spaces that adapt, support, and inspire; Particularly when working within a Regular designed space. This is what it means to build a scene—together. 📸 1&2 : @jfierberg @bowerycreativedept 📸 3: @jakeholschuh

Dining by Design: Tour the Architecture of BearLeek Restaurant Saturday, March 14, 10 to 11:30 a.m. with Denver Architecture Foundation & @regulararchitecture Join architect Kevin Nguyen and chef Harrison Porter on a tour of Bear Leek, one of Denver’s hottest new restaurants. This walking tour explores how the restaurant’s culinary ethos shaped the spatial experience, ensuring that concept, atmosphere, and execution speak seamlessly to one another. Tickets available at denverarchitecture.org 💙 📸: @bear_leek #denverrestaurants #restaurantdesign #regulararchitecture

BEARLEEK “sexy basement vibes” This space had always intrigued us. Entering a dark basement through a concrete stairway brings with it an inherent feeling of excitement. We knew that we wanted to enhance that and create something unique to the space and Denver When Harrison and Rema showed us the goals for their new restaurant, and we saw the brand for Bearleek we knew exactly how to take this underground lounge to the next level. Leaning into Harrison’s ‘smoke break’ imagery, we gained inspiration from moody neon alleyways to emphasize the sharp lines and angular shapes that made this space special. Neon lights bring you into the space and custom made ‘cigarette’ light fixtures emphasize the length of the dining room giving each table their own special moment to enjoy the chefs’ delicious creations. Don’t miss the Bear desserts! 🎥: @rudecatprd @oliverrrrrrrrrr 🐈‍⬛

This past week has been one of the most special for me. Receiving the incredible honor of being named the 2025 @aiacolorado Architect of the Year in a room full of people I have so much respect for was amazing. But I think the most special part of this has been the amount of support I have received from friends, family, and clients, many of which I consider all three. The reminder of the amazing community we have built through Architecture, and what it’s means to build community through design and good food, is more than I could ever have imagined. Someone that inspires and believes in the best of me said, “There are very few moments in life where professional recognition so perfectly matches the heart behind the work… but this is one of them. Receiving this is of course a massive honor, and yet somehow still doesn’t capture ALL that you are and all that you give. Like the nomination said, you have this rare ability to make it all look effortless, not because it’s easy, but because it’s so deeply connected to who you are. You don’t just design buildings; you create places where people’s passions come to life. We all feel welcome, no matter who’s pulling up the chair.” Thank you! I am incredibly grateful to do what I do and hope to continue to influence the growth of this city that I love! 🎥: video @rudecatprd @oliverrrrrrrrrr somehow perfectly captured my memory of the evening! 📷: cover photo @amp_media_denver

Look good, feel good… this sentiment couldn’t be more literal than the feeling you get after a fresh new cut. @therosemontbarbers was always focused on the customer experience, from the way you are greeted when walking in, to the genuine care each barber has for their customers. Barbershops, historically a place for community building, comfort in individual attention, and making you feel confident outside and in, meant that we had to design a space that felt easygoing but also showcased the elegance that comes with the expertise that these barbers carry. We took cues from historic barber shops and really leaned into the beautiful history of barbering in this space. From the moment walk in there is no clutter, everything has a place and each guest is greeted like they’re returning home. Large mirrors denote each barbering station, which allow great angles of your new cut and the rest of the space. While all the necessary and functional items are hidden behind an upholstered wall with a hidden door. Rosemont invites you in and asks you to stay a while, the whole time making you feel new and encouraging you to leave looking like a million bucks. #barbershop #architecture #denver #regularchitecture

Good Food, Nice Time. 🍷 A different look at the neighborhood bar. When we first walked the space for Point Easy, we knew immediately that this humble little restaurant meant something to the neighborhood. For over 30 years it was a beloved Denver institution, M&D’s Barbecue and Fish Palace, a go to for people from all over the area. We wanted to build on that history and create a space that the neighborhood today could rally around. Comfortable, inviting, yet specific to the connection the new owners had with Denver. The leading conversation was built around the ethos of the restaurant being a simple GFNT (Good Food, Nice Time). Sometimes it’s that easy. We focused on the bar, which serves both food and drink. Taking center stage with a brightly colored / textured light installation overhead which acts as an invitation to come in off the street, and because the bar is the focus it feels like you can get a seat anytime. Point Easy feels like you can always walk in and have a great conversation with friends old and new. #regulararchitecture #denver #winebar #naturalwine

Love & Family Through Design Growing up Vietnamese, food was always a representation of love and family. Cooking and eating with friends and family around the kitchen island brings an immediate smile to my face. Working with @annagracenguyen and @ni_oiii , @sapsuarestaurant helped to bring back a lot of these amazing memories. The goal from our first meeting to opening was to create a space that expressed the feeling of home through an emphasis on hospitality and the focus on the kitchen. Every seat in the dining room can feel the life from the kitchen and see the passion that the chefs are bringing to each dish, the kind of love and attention to detail paid to a homemade meal. Using the design of space to create emotion and define experience is at the base of so much of the work we do, and @sapsuarestaurant we feel that with every visit. #architecture #restaurantdesign #denver #regulararchtecture #vietnamese

MEXICO CITY IN DENVER 🇲🇽 🌽 When I met @razcasi , I was immediately drawn to his passion for corn and the craft behind that perfect tortilla. Hearing him speak about his love for Mexico— the food and how to cook it— became the inspiration for @xiquitarestaurante Building on the beauty of nixtamalization, taking the heavy corn kernel and softening it to make it more digestible, is how we wanted to approach this project. Using raw materials like steel and concrete blocks and detailing them in a way that created an inviting and comfortable setting as a backdrop for this beautiful food. Hard surfaces interacting with soft pillows and lively plants create a feeling that is uniquely Mexico City. #mexicocity #corn #denver #architecture #regulararchitecture

THE MULLET CONCEPT Bet you’re wondering why we have been posting amazing mullets on our story. Partially looking for a new cut, but mostly because that’s exactly the duality that helped drive the idea behind @redeemerpizza How do you create a restaurant space that runs from lunch to dinner and into late night? At Redeemer we did this by creating two distinct entries for different experiences. The front door leads you to an amazing dining room for that perfect casual date night over some amazing olives and a pizza, and the more casual back patio is great for grabbing a slice or enjoying the music next door late night. Business in the front. Party in the back. 🍕 #regulararchitecture #architechture #restaurantarchitecture

Thank you @sahalegreenwood @denverlifemagazine for taking the time to chat with me about food and design! It’s Incredibly special being able to pickup a magazine and see your face! Print media is the best! 📷 @jakeholschuh Check out the last slide for what Eero has been up to during his recovery 😂 📖 🤓

Last week @eat_denver gave me the amazing opportunity to talk about restaurants, design, and branding; three things I think about a lot… mostly the restaurant part 🤣. It was more people than I have ever spoken in front of, but what an amazing experience sharing something I love with the people that make it possible. 📷 -Nikki A Rae Photography

Episode Four: Brick By Brick - Building The Foundations of the Denver Food Scene 🧱🏢 Denver-based Regular Architecture ( @regulararchitecture ) is a premier design practice dedicated to the creation and longevity of commercial spaces, including some of Denver’s most-celebrated restaurants and bars. Founder Kevin Nguyen’s ( @kevinnguyen_5280 ) hands-on, collaborative approach transforms the local landscape for artisans to achieve lasting success. Early projects, like Chef Tommy Lee’s ( @tommyminglee ) widely-acclaimed restaurant @hopalleydenver , allowed Kevin to take creative risks to integrate cultural touchstones into the very foundation of an establishment. With more-recent projects like Xiquita and Sap Sua, Kevin found himself reconnecting to his Mexican and Vietnamese cultural roots. Kevin’s curation of vibes for each new space goes beyond the broad strokes of style and functionality. He meticulously investigates the intersections of food, culture, thrilling conversation, and familiar comfort. With this understanding, Regular Architecture creates the space for individual expression and the foundational context to build a more diverse and inclusive Denver food scene. 🧾 A Rude Cat Production 🐈‍⬛ EP: @shoang10 @oliverrrrrrrrrr @rudecatprd Producer: @chrismarhevka @ni_oiii Director/Editor: @oliverrrrrrrrrr Music Supervisor: @tr_v