A number of facilities on DU’s campus were featured this past weekend in the seventh annual Doors Open Denver, a celebration of modern and historical architecture and design in buildings at DU and around the city.
“This year’s theme was modern architecture,” event manager Carol Harris said. “The selection committee chooses buildings throughout Denver that are representative of the city and its history.”
The event provided students the opportunity to learn more about the structural significance and history of the buildings they have grown familiar with over the course of the academic year at DU.
This year’s theme, “…The ‘50s and Beyond,” featured over 70 sites scattered around Denver, six of which were buildings on DU’s campus: the Cable Center, Daniels College of Business, Boettcher Center West, Olin Hall, the Ritchie Center and the Newman Center.
The general public also took advantage of their invitation to explore the school.
“We’re architect junkies and we live nearby, so this was a great opportunity,” said Mr. and Mrs. Cady, two visitors of DU’s campus who explored campus buildings, including Olin Hall, on Saturday.
Dee Getchel, assistant director of patron services at the Newman Center provided 15 to 20 minute tours of three of the four venues, including the Hamilton Center, Byron Theater and Gates Concert Hall as well as classrooms of the Lamont School of Music.
Getchel explained that the Newman Center serves the entire Denver community.
“The Newman Center is one of Denver’s gems,” Getchel said. “We were featured in the Doors Open Denver exhibit in 2004, just after construction was completed on the facility. Our mission is to involve and engage the community in the arts.”
Most buildings on campus were open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. A number of tours were self-guided, however, architects, historians and community volunteers were present to provide information about their stationed location.
Second year volunteer Tina Brown explained to tourists that the Olin Hall was made of sandstone and housed classrooms as well as two green houses.
Off-campus, free guided tours were also available for an in-depth look at the Coors Field and a backstage pass to the Mayan Theater.
