CU Denver College of Arts & Media, Tivoli Theater Renovation

Denver, Colorado

Firm

Architectural Workshop

Client

University of Colorado Denver

Area

14,200 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$1,775,000

Completion Date

01/2016

Design team
Mark Bowers, AIA, LEED AP; Joe Marshall, AIA, LEED AP; Katharina Jenista, LEED AP; Rosalie Ruwart, NCIDQ

The CU Denver College of Arts & Media (CAM) moved into the old Starz Theater at the historic Tivoli on the Auraria Higher Education Center campus. The design team provided a vision and design to revitalize the dated basement and turned the space into cutting-edge recording and film production studios with flexible support spaces. This was achieved by providing collaborative spaces that encourage conversation and creativity among the multiple disciplines of CAM.
Entering the space by descending the grand staircase, students can gather in the centrally situated Town Hall, where a community table, café-style and booth seating promote student collaboration and interaction among the film recording, dubbing, sound mixing and production departments.
Ceiling and walls were opened up, and by adding different levels and layers of lighting along with a fresh color scheme, the renovation created an inviting airy atmosphere. Collaborative and flexible spaces enhance the students’ learning quality. Individual studios were sound-isolated to meet acoustical performance criteria and to act independently. The result is a national-caliber arts and media program.