Kenneth King Academic & Performing Arts Center
Auraria Campus, Denver
AR7 HooverDesmondArchitects

Onstage and backstage venues married in a design focused on education

© Andrew Kramer

For more photos click on 'photos & drawings' above. To see the people and products behind this project click on 'people & products.'

Kenneth King Academic and Performing Arts Center is the result of an extensive programming and coordination effort among several local university campuses. The building was specifically designed to educate students and arts patrons in the performing arts, and provide a performance and educational venue to all performing artists, stage hands, technical workers, and viewers.

These functions are highlighted by a design program that supports a unique marriage of spaces traditionally separated. In order to illuminate and dramatize the creative process behind each performance, the building design puts "backstage" functions such as the costume shop, scene shop, instrument repair studio, and design studio into full view of the campus. The scene shop and paint shop are visible to patrons approaching the building from the neighboring parking garage, while the costume shop and design studio are situated directly off the "main street" lobby where patrons and students can see the preparation work done by the students who aren't yet onstage.

Each of the performance venues is accessible from the main street, a linear body that links the two major entrances to the building. This three-story, naturally-lit space provides access to all areas of the building, as well as views into some back-of-house and prep spaces, bringing the visible energy of the teaching and performance programs to the campus population. Performance spaces include a 550-seat concert hall, a 350-seat courtyard theater, a 200-seat recital hall, a 50-person electronic music studio, and three production studios, complemented by numerous classrooms and offices.

Formal name of building:
Kenneth King Academic and Performing Arts Center

Location:
Auraria Campus, Denver

Gross square footage:
190,000 sf

Total construction cost:
$30 million

Owner:
Auraria Higher Education Center Campus, Denver, Colorado:
Community College of Denver
Metropolitan State College of Denver
University of Colorado at Denver

Architect's firm:
AR7 HooverDesmondArchitects
1645 Grant Street
Denver, CO 80203
303.837.8811
303.837.9007 fax
www.ar7.com

In Association with:
For Performing Arts and Theater Design-
Semple Brown Design
1160 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, CO 80204
303.571.4137
303.571.0403 fax