Denver Art Museum Frederic C. Hamilton Building | Denver, CO

Denver Art Museum Frederic C. Hamilton Building | Denver, CO
Completion Date: 2006

Project Overview

The Denver Art Museum’s Frederic C. Hamilton Building extension helped the museum to become one of Denver’s most notable and recognizable landmarks. It has been featured in multiple publications such as ARCHITECT Magazine, Arch Innovations, Structure Magazine, and Arch Daily. The museum also won a Presidential Award at the American Institute of Steel Construction’s 2007 Awards for Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel.

The unique extension is 146,000 square feet, covered in 9,000 titanium panels, and has a complex geometry with sharp, angular forms. None of the planes are parallel or perpendicular to one another, which is a design not often seen or successfully achieved. Lead architect Studio Daniel Libeskind stated the design was inspired by the peaks of the Colorado Rocky Mountains and the geometric rock crystals found in the foothills. The design was also inspired by the vitality and growth of Denver.

Why CPP

One challenge the architects and engineers faced was designing the building for the atmospheric effects, temperature, and weather conditions unique to Denver. CPP first conducted wind tunnel studies to determine wind cladding pressures, structural loads, and pedestrian wind comfort. CPP then conducted a snow deposition study to determine snow drifts and snow loads. We also analyzed historical records of snow-melt-freeze cycles to estimate potential for icicle formation at the roof edges.

CPP’s studies assisted in ensuring the Denver Art Museum can effectively withstand adverse weather conditions. We also helped to ensure pedestrian comfort and safety around the building. This building is a landmark that conveys Denver’s vast liveliness and expansion through an architecturally unique structure.