Haselden Construction has completed the newly transformed Sturm Family Wing at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, designed in proud partnership with Open Studios Architecture. Following a grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 1, the revitalized wing, comprising the Sturm Family Plaza, Sturm Infinity Lobby, and Sturm Infinity Theater, is now fully open to the public.
The project, which recently earned a prestigious ENR Mountain States Award of Merit, represents a major milestone in historic preservation and modern design integration for one of Colorado’s most cherished cultural landmarks.
Honoring History Through Precision Crafts & VDC Innovation
Originally constructed in 1908, the museum has undergone numerous additions throughout its history. The East Lobby renovation called for the careful restoration of historic elements dating back to 1938 and 1939, including the original exterior masonry and iconic grand staircase.
To reconstruct damaged portions of the historic pediment without relying on traditional field measurements, Haselden’s Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) team utilized high- accuracy 3D laser scanning technology. The resulting digital model enabled the team to produce custom precast components that flawlessly matched the 1930s architecture.
“Balancing modern building performance with 1930s historic integrity required a high degree of technical ingenuity,” said Cash Mason, project superintendent. “Our VDC team and craft workers combined modern digital modeling with meticulous hands-on craftsmanship, from hand-matching custom brick colors and restoring damaged plaster cornices to reviving original terrazzo floors that had been concealed under carpet for decades.”
Standout Engineering & Architectural Features
- The Milky Way Star Ceiling: Serving as the focal point of the expanded Sturm Infinity Lobby, this bespoke installation accurately maps the night sky using fiber optics hand-drilled into the ceiling. Despite supply chain challenges caused by regional flooding during construction, Haselden reconfigured project schedules to deliver the complex installation on time and under budget.
- Seasonal Outdoor Pavilions: Expanding into City Park, the new Sturm Family Plaza features custom interactive shade pavilions designed around Colorado’s four seasons. The structures incorporate kinetic elements—such as fluttering metal sequins representing autumn aspen leaves and convex mirrored domes reflecting winter ice.
- Enhanced Community Accessibility: The project introduced new ADA-accessible entries, ramps, and expanded gathering spaces to ensure the wing can be seamlessly enjoyed by all community members.Complex MEP Logistics & Operational ContinuityExecuting structural and mechanical tie-ins directly above sensitive exhibits required rigorous environmental engineering. The Sturm Family Wing construction zone sat immediately above the museum’s Ancient Egypt Exhibit, housing three 3,000-year-old mummies requiring strict, continuous micro-climate controls. Haselden engineered and managed temporary mechanical systems to maintain exact temperature and humidity tolerances without interruption, allowing the exhibit to remain fully operational during construction.To maintain public safety and revenue streams, Haselden sequenced interior lobby work around active museum events and overnight programs. The team constructed heavy-duty temporary containment barriers and coordinated daily with museum operations and Denver Parks & Recreation to adapt logistics around major City Park outdoor events.
- A Cultural Commons for Future Generations: The completed Sturm Family Wing serves as “part curiosity lab, part classroom, and part cultural commons,” connecting the vibrant interior lobby amenities, including a full-service bar and lounge seating, directly with the natural landscape of City Park.
“This project exemplifies how modern construction techniques can serve as stewards of local history,” shared Byron Haselden, CEO of Haselden Construction. “We are honored to have partnered with Open Studios and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science to deliver an enduring, accessible space that will serve and inspire the Colorado community for generations to come.”
