DENVER – The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Colorado presented Davis Partnership Architects with a 2017 Design Award for The Training Center, during the 2017 AIA Colorado Awards Gala on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017 in Denver. A total of 28 design awards were presented this year to deserving members of the Colorado architecture community, each recognizing build, materials, aesthetics, space and design.
The new Training Center in Aurora, completed in 2016, was designed and built to provide comprehensive training programs for construction professionals. The Training Center is a state of the art 54,964-square-foot teaching facility sited on 11 acres. The campus features a one-story administration structure with two detached pre-engineered labs.
The administration building sets the first impression for the facility with its exposed steel frame truss elements supporting an angled roof masonry veneer and full height curtain-wall glazing. The reception and central lobby bisect the length of the building and act as the spine, organizing the building to create a clear path of circulation, and feature unique tectonic details to articulate the owner’s industrial roots.
The use of exposed acoustical roof decking allows for a seamless transition of the lobby ceiling between interior and exterior and enables the dynamic roofline that defines the entry. Other administration design elements include a large lobby with exposed beams and colorful seating areas, large hanging pendant light fixtures, polished concrete floors, glass wall tile, metal sheet panel at receptionist desk, exposed acoustical ceiling deck, carpet and acoustical ceiling tile throughout offices and classrooms, colorful industrial, wood/ceiling slatwall design elements, and two garage doors opening to an outdoor patio in cafeteria.
Pre-fabricated metal buildings house the training labs complete the campus with consistent use of exterior paneling on all buildings. Each building is placed to enhance the adjacent buildings and creates protected outdoor areas in an elegantly landscaped campus quadrangle.
“The diversity and beautiful work of all of the firms who put their heart and soul into creating magnificent works of architecture are truly spectacular to see. We are honored to recognize these Colorado architecture firms for exemplifying the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and design,” said Cathy Rosset, executive vice president/CEO of AIA Colorado.
Images courtesy of Davis Partnership Architects.