Campus mines a new look - showcase - Colorado School of Mines - Brief Article

Masonry Construction, July, 2002

An eye-catching expansion does double duty at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo.: The three-level masonry addition updates the 50-year-old Hill Hall while blending with adjacent historic buildings more than twice that age. Rising above the original 67,000-square-foot L-shaped facility, the $16 million 35,000-square-foot addition creates a multifaceted effect.

By combining red sandstone with gray, dark red, and beige brick, this imposing new presence at the northeast corner of the main quadrangle draws from the palette of the campus' older buildings says project architect lack Brinkley of RNL Design, Denver. At the same time, a bold diamond pattern lends a sir king contemporary look.

Originally constructed in 1957, Hill Hall houses the Departments of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science. In addition to classrooms, research laboratories, and offices, the new expansion houses all electron microscopy suite and a high-bay test facility. The external design uses ornamental concrete to reflect the internal program. Precast concrete lintels depict elements representing the evolution of knowledge of metallurgy.

The project's biggest challenge, says Brinkley, was keeping the facility operational at all times. This feat was accomplished through a three-phase construction approach.

Masonry Contractor: Grosvenor Masonry, Englewood. Colo.

Architect: RNL Design. Denver

General Contractor: Turner Construction Co. Denver

Structural Engineer: Jirsa/Hedrick Denver

Owner: Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colo