Insider Tour: Architecture and Nature on DU’s Campus
Thursday, September 25
Doors Open Denver Early Bird ticket sales begin on July 21st at 4pm for DAF Members and end on August 4 at 4pm, when DAF Member pricing will increase. DAF Membership will be verified upon ticket purchase. Click here to become a DAF member. Tickets will be available for non-DAF members beginning August 18.
About the Tour: Explore the intersection of architecture and nature on this tour of the University of Denver’s campus. Highlights include the history of the Chester M. Alter Arboretum, the eco benefits of the green roof on the Community Commons building, the water detention and water quality features integrated throughout campus, and the work the University is doing with native and adaptive plant species through landscaping.
About the Campus: Founded in 1864, The University of Denver is a private R-1 institution built on exploration through research and collaboration among educators and students, as well as local and global communities. Partnering with businesses, the local community, and educational partners, DU tackles the grand challenges of the Rocky Mountain West, works to strengthen our region, and provides opportunities for the people who call it home.
About the Tour Guide: Mark Rodgers was the Campus Architect at University of Denver for over 30 years. Upon graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991, he journeyed to Colorado to pursue both a career in Architecture as well as his wife of 32 years – Valerie (a native Coloradoan). Mark and Valerie are the proud parents of three children: Isabelle (age 28), Christopher (age 27) and Lindsay (age 23).
Since 1991, when Mark stepped into the office of Childress Manning Knapp, he has worked on over two billion dollars of construction projects ranging from his children’s childcare center at the University of Denver to “Granny’s Castle” along the edge of the continental divide. He has enjoyed the variety of roles in architecture from picking up red lines and producing stone shop drawings to the comprehensive design of the construction at the University of Denver. Throughout his time at DU, Mark has accomplished the challenging work of unifying DU’s University Park Campus in a manner that embraces its distinguished architectural history, accounts for the necessity of enduring design, and celebrates an enthusiasm for DU’s future. Particular effort has been directed to enhancing the architecture of the buildings built prior to the 1990s by the careful siting, massing, and detailing of more than two million new square feet of construction.
Accessibility: This tour will explore both interiors and exterior of the University of Denver campus and will require traversing across sidewalks, occasional uneven ground, and through hallways. The University of Denver is ADA accessible. There will be minimal opportunities for seated rest. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes, dressing for the weather, and being prepared to walk!
Refund policy: The Denver Architecture Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization. Ticket sales support the Foundation in continuing to provide quality events to the public. We are unable to provide refunds or credits for any reason less than 14 days prior to the event.
Please note that DAF tours take place rain, snow or shine. If your tour includes an outdoor portion, please dress for the weather. DAF staff will contact all attendees directly should a tour be cancelled for any reason.