DU Chambers Center

Submitted by Kiewit Construction Co.

The University of Denver's newest building is the Merle Catherine Chambers Center for the Advancement of Women. The center is the home base for three organizations dedicated to the education of women and girls - the Women's College of the University of Denver, the Women's Foundation of Colorado and Higher Education Resource Services.

The 32,000-sq-ft Chambers Center's classical design is inspired specifically by Santo Spirito in Florence and includes traditional materials such as Indiana limestone detailing, rosy brick, rustic stone and a signature copper roof.

Set in the front of the building is a round stained-glass window depicting the Golden Mean, a spiral derived through a mathematical pattern. Sculpted columns of limestone frame the north and south entrances, while Juliet balconies adorn the exterior of the building.

Like all of DU's new buildings, the Chambers Center is constructed with techniques reminiscent of old world construction intended to last 300 years.

Along with DU's campus architects, the firm of Bennett, Wagner & Grody - a women-owned Denver firm - was hired to work on the design. The center's 17-person architectural/ engineering team is predominantly female. This is part of the dean of the Women's College, Michelle Bloom's, vision - a building created for women by women.

The depth of thought that went into this building's design and construction is astounding. Each portion of the building has a pleasant and distinctive twist woven into its design, inspired by its enduring vision and purpose.

Project Team

Owner: University of Denver (Colorado Seminary)
Architects: Bennett Wagner and Grody Architects PC, Davis Partnership
Design Team: Bush Reese and Co., Carver Engineering Inc., The Szynskie Group Inc., Ehrhart Griffin & Associates Inc.
General Contractor: Kiewit Construction Co.
Major Subs: Grosvenor Masonry Inc., Concord Metal Inc., Metropolitan Glass Inc., Denver Drywall Co., RK Mechanical Inc., Team Electric Inc.

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