UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO OFELIA MIRAMONTES AND LEONARD BACA EDUCATION BUILDING

Boulder, Colo.

Award of Merit

Submitted by: Swinerton

OWNER University of Colorado Boulder

LEAD DESIGN FIRM Anderson Mason Dale Architects

GENERAL CONTRACTOR Swinerton

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER S.A. Miro

MEP ENGINEER Cator Ruma & Associates

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Integrity Electrical Systems

MECHANICAL/PLUMBING CONTRACTOR Braconier Mechanical & Plumbing Services


The CU School of Education’s programs are now housed in the same building thanks to this $9.7-million renovation effort. To improve access within the 64-year-old Fleming Building and strengthen the connection to the new tower and existing classroom wing, crews renovated the center portion of the structure across three floors.

This 36,872-sq-ft phased project updated classrooms, teaching labs, offices, conference spaces, restrooms, corridors and support spaces. The building also received all new exterior windows, a structural mezzanine and a new exterior entrance.

Low ceilings left little structural space for ductwork and electrical conduits, and IT piping and plumbing waste pipes were 40 ft from where they were shown on historical drawings. After the interior was demolished, the team laser-scanned the structure and worked with the MEP subcontractor to modify the MEP design to fit the structure’s actual conditions.

To transform the center of the building while keeping surrounding areas fully operational, the team demolished nearly 95% of the interior space and created safe interior walkways for students and staff.