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By Curtis Worth
Fentress, FAIA, RIBA
Over the past decade, a
handful of renovation, expansion and new construction projects have
begun debunking the notion that convention and conference centers need
only be “boxes with docks.” Visionary leadership by city officials,
center operators and facility managers has allowed architects to
maximize the opportunity these projects presented;
they were encouraged to create civic minded
place makers.
What constitutes this new
approach? It’s a tripartite recipe of ambassador, connector and respite
— and to help illustrate these qualities in action are the recently
completed convention center projects in Denver and Palm Springs, Calif.
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The Colorado Convention Center, which
opened in late 2004, serves as a “centerpiece” for Denver,
according to Frontier Airlines CEO Jeff Potter. Photos by James
P. Scholz (top) and Jason A. Knowles (bottom). |
Ambassador
Whether it’s because of sheer size, visibility or public funding,
large public assembly venues often assume the role of ambassador to
their host city. Being an ambassador means leaving a positive
lasting impression. Therefore, it’s essential to the well-being of
the host city that this impression be positive.
From skyline to streetscape and interior spaces, the building’s
design must have a strong message — one that either reinforces an
existing identity, like the local geography, or defines a new one.
The ultimate goal is to have attendees and citizens connect the city
with its center and vice versa, even long after their visit has
ended.
Ambassador in Action: Colorado Convention
Center. The newly expanded
Colorado Convention Center is on par with the Sydney Opera House.
While that statement may be somewhat controversial, the Center and
Opera House have at the very least one characteristic in common —
they are the centerpieces of their host cities. In fact,
“centerpiece” was the exact word Frontier Airlines CEO Jeff Potter
used to describe the Colorado Convention Center shortly after its
opening in December 2004. “Denver is easy to sell,” he said. “But it
needed a centerpiece. This is a centerpiece that puts us on par with
any city in the country.” Four angular roof blades detail the
Center’s varied façade along 14th Street. These blades also gesture
out toward downtown in a sign of inclusivity and civic pride. Inside
the 14th Street lobby, the human experience continues with a sense
of celebration and homecoming.
The clear glass of the finely detailed curtain wall encourages
patrons to connect with the amiable natural environment and
immediate context. Vibrant details in the lighting elements, art
pieces and interior finishes add warmth, calm and sophistication
without precluding personalization by meeting and exhibit planners.
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Palm Springs Mayor Ron
Oden says the Convention Center mirrors the city’s beauty and
cements its reputation as “a premier destination.” Photo by Nick
Merrick, Hedrich Blessing. |
Above the covered
pedestrian arcades that lead away from 14th Street, along Welton and
Champa streets, are undulating, perforated stainless steel panels
masking 54 truck births and 1,000 public parking spaces. Like a
mountain stream, these sinuous elements encourage fluid movement,
animate the Center’s secondary entrances and provide a lyrical
backdrop for the Borofsky “Dancing Figures” sculptures.
Opposite 14th Street, a singular blade rises from the confluence of
Colfax, Speer and Welton streets to create an identity for the
western perimeter of downtown. Its message to the more than nine
million cars that pass by it annually is one of aspiration and
achievement.
Ambassador in Action: Palm Springs
Convention Center Expansion. Perhaps because of his own
role, Mayor Ron Oden is quick to point out the Center’s
ambassadorial qualities. “Palm Springs is a uniquely beautiful
place, and I am proud to know that visitors to the Convention Center
will see that beauty mirrored in this building. This is sure to
cement the city’s reputation as a premier destination for meetings
and conventions.”
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Updates to the Palm Spring Convention
Center include 120,000 square feet of continuous exhibit space;
19 breakout rooms, including a 20,000-sq.ft ballroom; and a
12-bay loading dock. Photo by James P. Scholz. |
The primary image of
the building comes from the powerful San Jacinto Mountains to
the west. The undulating ridgeline serves as inspiration for the
building’s strong roofline. The angulated, windswept edges of
the Mountains are interpreted in the irregularly shaped and
canted stone pylons on the western façade.
A deeply angulated roof canopy inspired by nearby Palm Canyon
rock formations completely shades the main entry and lobby. From
inside, strong pylons and the ceiling plane focus and frame
views to the San Jacinto Mountains.
Next issue:
Convention and conference centers as connectors and respites.
As principal-in-charge of
design for Fentress Bradburn Architects, Curt Fentress has directed the
design of more than 40 million square feet of large-scale public sector
space, valued at more than $60 billion. These projects annually welcome,
guide and host more than 225 million people across the United States and
abroad. The firm’s portfolio, which has garnered more than 200 awards
for design excellence, includes convention and conference centers in
Denver, Palm Springs, Calif., Pasadena, Calif., and Santa Fe, N.M. |
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