Denver Art Museum
Denver, CO, United States
Project details
Client
Denver Art Museum
Architect
Machado Silvetti | Fentress Architects
Duration
Completed in 2021
Services provided by Buro Happold
Since its inception in 1893, the Denver Art Museum has been a cultural anchor in downtown Denver. The Museum is renowned worldwide for both its collection and its architecture.
As part of an major renovation and addition, the Denver Art Museum desired to create a community driven space that both welcomes and engages as well as leverages the entire campus to benefit its visitors.
To bring the building into the new century, DAM renovated their 210,000ft² North Building, originally completed in 1971, as well as added the new Sie Welcome Center. The North Building is home to a large number of the DAM’s collection installations. It is also the epicenter of the DAM’s renowned education programs which include a series of classrooms, studios and family spaces.
The North Building, designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti and James Sudler Associates, is home to two, glass tile-covered towers that are iconic to the museum. The unique building form was designed with a series of reveals that emanate light.
Epicenter of the DAM’s renowned education program.
The lighting was upgraded throughout the north building.
Challenge
A key component of the revitalization – timed to honor the 50th anniversary of the North Building – is the functional and iconic alignment of this building with its monumental neighbors: the titanium-clad, Libeskind-designed Hamilton Building; the Denver Central Library designed by Michael Graves; and the Clyfford Still Museum designed by Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture.
For the renovation the lighting needed to be upgraded throughout the North Building while keeping with the original design intent.
Solution
Buro Happold provided lighting design services on the Denver Art Museum. As part of the renovation, the lighting was upgraded throughout the entire North Building. Our experts maintained the design intent, adding improved technology with significantly less required maintenance.
Value
Together, the revitalization and addition preserves the architectural heritage of the Ponti-towers and also provides the museum with essential building system upgrades and increased gallery flexibility, greatly enhancing the visitor experience.
