The architecture world’s focus has turned to Denver in recent years, and Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) is planning a Denver study tour October 16–19, 2008. Highlights include The Denver Art Museum with a wing designed by Daniel Libeskind in 2006. Its jagged, knife-edged form stands across a new plaza from Libeskind-designed luxury condominiums. Not far away is the new Museum of Contemporary Art by David Adjaye, the Ghanian-British architect and rising star based in London.

Michael Graves’ extraordinary post-modern Central Library will be explored, as well as ZGF’s new LEED® Gold-rated regional headquarters for the EPA. The former Stapleton International Airport – 4,700 acres – is now the largest urban re-development community in the nation. Considered one of the country’s greenest new community plans, one-third of the property is reserved for parkland.

The 16th Street Mall, opened in 1982 and designed by I. M. Pei, makes Denver one of the very few which has succeeded with a downtown mall. It extends over a mile through the downtown office district. AIA Western Mountain Region gave the project its prestigious 25-Year award to signify its success.

The tour includes the Lower Downtown Historic District (LoDo to locals), an area of 19th century brick warehouses now converted to lofts, stores, and restaurants. Just out of downtown is a trendy complex named Taxi in the former home of Yellow Cab. Its office-residential mix is appealing to young entrepreneurs. The developer and his architect will provide a private tour and join the group for lunch at their restaurant, Fuel.

The Denver Architecture Foundation, modeled after CAF, will be a full partner in this tour, helping make the best local connections to enhance the experience. Their Board will host a reception in the elegant office-home of a prominent city architect.