Colorado Convention Center
Denver, Colorado USA

With voter approval, city officials decided in 1999 to more than double the size of the existing convention center to 2.2 million square feet on nine city blocks. The expanded convention center opened to accolades in December, 2004. The key design gestures are the two main façades: the thoroughfare along the west edge of downtown Denver and the opposing side that opens into the heart of downtown.

A high-peaked, 662-foot long roof line and full-façade glass curtainwall on the thoroughfare side transform the Denver skyline like the opera house transformed Sydney, Australia. This canted, upward-cutting shape against Denver's skyline will be lit at night, a striking gesture of identity both for the building and the city. Below, in a counterbalancing gesture, is the rounded- shape of a 5,000-seat lecture hall.