The University of Colorado Aerospace Engineering Sciences (AES) building was designed as the ‘Center of Gravity’ for the Aerospace Department.  The new building is specifically designed for students, researchers, and private partners to collaborate.  Located in Boulder, Colorado on the University’s East Campus,  the Aerospace Engineering Sciences building is on a prominent site, seen immediately upon turning from Colorado Avenue onto Discovery Drive.

Inspired by principles of aerospace engineering, the building was designed from the inside out, ensuring the goals for collaborative research and hands-on learning drove the layout. The exterior of the building explores the concept of propulsion, the action of driving forward, through the vertical precast plates that ‘pleat’ across the south façade pulling toward the entry.  The  ‘pleated’ façade controls heat gain and glare while allowing views and daylight to the laboratories and drawing visitors into the expansive lobby. At 180,000 GSF, the building offers a mix of active-learning classrooms, lecture classrooms, offices, laboratories and collaborative lounge spaces. The layout maximizes energy efficiency and daylight for all occupied spaces.

Designed in collaboration with RATIO Architects.

Certified LEED NC 2009 – Gold