Cultural/Worship: Award of Merit: UCCS Ent Center for the Arts

The exterior of UCCS Ent Center for the Arts features dramatic curves and a shining metal skin.

Photo courtesy JE Dunn

UCCS Ent Center for the Arts
Colorado Springs
Award of Merit

Owner: University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Lead Design Firm: Semple Brown / H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture
General Contractor: JE Dunn Construction
Structural Engineer: Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers
Civil Engineer: NV5
MEP Engineer: ME Engineers
Theater Consultant: Auerbach Pollock Friedlander

The exterior of UCCS Ent Center for the Arts features dramatic curves and a shining metal skin. But more impressive is what’s inside. For drama, there’s an ultramodern black-box theater, along with a larger flexible performance space. For the music department, a new recital hall provides impeccable acoustics. And for the visual arts, there’s the new Gallery of Contemporary Art, built with museum-quality humidity controls.

In the contractor’s words, the key to the project’s success was everyone on the project team “rowing in the same direction.” Emphasizing partnership, the team internalized the project’s purpose statement: “Exceptional acoustic performance in an iconic building.” With completion of the Ent Center, it’s a whole new era for the arts in Colorado Springs.