Glazing maximizes views on Denver science center

Photos by Auraria Higher Education Center, Alpine Light Pictures Inc., and Sincere/Duncan Studios; courtesy of J.R. Butler, Inc.

The basics: The newest addition to Denver’s Auraria Higher Education Center, the $120 million Auraria Science Building opened in September 2009 as a premiere teaching facility for students from the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State College of Denver and the University of Colorado Denver. The existing Science Building was built in the early 1970s and is being renovated for an anticipated re-opening this autumn. The renovated structure will be united with the newly-constructed building to accommodate students in all three institutions and multiple programs.

Transparency was important to the building’s design and function, according to a Wausau release. Views and light play an important part in setting the building’s transparent look and feel. From the east, those walking and driving by see into the building’s interior with walls painted in vivid shades of oranges, greens and blues. Those inside the building enjoy abundant natural light, maximized by soffits that pull the interior walls away from the window system. On the other sides of the building’s unique “7”-shaped design, the generous use of glass offer students and staff an unobstructed view of green spaces and other campus buildings.

The players: Owner, Auraria Higher Education Center, Denver; architect, AndersonMasonDale, Denver; general contractor, Haselden Construction LLC, Centennial, Colo., with joint venture partner Barton Malow, Southfield, Mich.; glazing contractor, J.R. Butler Inc., Denver; glazing systems manufacturer, Wausau Window and Wall Systems, Wausau, Wis.; glass fabricator, Viracon Inc., Owatonna, Minn.; glazing systems finisher, Linetec, Wausau, Wis.

The glass and systems: Wausau’s SuperWall system for the new building and storefront and ribbon wall for the renovation project. The new building features Wausau’s 7250 Series system, specified with Viracon’s VNE 1-63, neutral low-emissivity glass. Linetec applied the insulating, thermal barrier system, as well as the eco-friendly Extra Dark Bronze anodize.