LAB TOURS

Morning Tour - Option A

Colorado School of Mines—Marquez Hall and CoorsTek Center for Applied Science and Engineering

Morning Tour - Option B

University of Colorado Anschutz, Anschutz Health Sciences Building

Afternoon Tour

Metropolitan State University of Denver Aerospace & Engineering Sciences Building

Colorado School of Mines—Marquez Hall and CoorsTek Center for Applied Science and Engineering

May 14, 2025
Departure time will be 8:15 am and you will return by 11:30 am

Marquez Hall at Colorado School of Mines is a state-of-the-art facility designed for the Petroleum Engineering Department, with a focus on transitioning from petroleum to renewable energy. The building’s L-shaped design responds to the campus layout, aligning with a major pedestrian walkway and creating a new courtyard with transparent, interactive spaces. It houses a combination of laboratories, simulation rooms, classrooms, and offices, with distinct areas visually expressed through glass curtain walls, aluminum, and terra cotta cladding. A key feature is its lobby, enclosed by glazed glass walls beneath a striking 60-foot cantilevered roof, creating a dynamic entry space that invites students to engage with engineering as they move through the building. 

(Image: Nic Lehoux)

The CoorsTek Center for Applied Science and Engineering at Colorado School of Mines is a state-of-the-art facility designed to foster cross-disciplinary research between the Physics Department and College of Applied Sciences and Engineering. The building features advanced laboratories and flexible, technology-rich spaces that support adaptive learning and cutting-edge research. With a prominent 250-foot glazed façade facing Kafadar Commons, it creates visual connections between the campus and the research activities inside. The design encourages collaboration with multiple entrances aligned with campus pathways and public spaces that invite community interaction. Interdisciplinary labs and offices are strategically located on Levels 2 and 3, while active learning classrooms are easily accessed on the main level. The building’s mix of transparent and opaque materials reflects the campus and Front Range landscape, emphasizing its role as a hub for research and innovation.

(Image: Ron Pollard)

University of Colorado Anschutz, Anschutz Health Sciences Building

May 14, 2025
Departure time will be 8:15 am and you will return by 11:30 am

The Anschutz Health Sciences Building at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus serves as a central, interdisciplinary hub, advancing the university's role as a global leader in medical care, research, and education. The seven-story building sits at a gateway location, featuring spaces for computational research, clinical trials, medical simulation, and mental health clinics. The design takes inspiration from Colorado’s mountains, blending metal and glass in a sculptural form. Biophilic design elements, including daylighting and landscape views, promote occupant wellness, while a heat recovery system reduces energy use by 60 percent. The building’s atrium fosters collaboration, integrating interior and exterior spaces for a dynamic user experience.

Metropolitan State University of Denver Aerospace & Engineering Sciences Building 

May 14, 2025
Departure time will be 12:30 pm and you will return by 4:00 pm

The Aerospace & Engineering Sciences Building at MSU Denver serves as a hub for industrial, engineering, computer science, robotics, and space operations. As Colorado's only public, four-year access institution, it connects underserved populations to the regional aerospace and advanced manufacturing economy through industry partnerships and hands-on experiences. The lower levels feature labs and classrooms for skill development and teamwork, while Level 1 hosts an Advanced Manufacturing Hub, where students engage in iterative processes from digital modeling to prototyping and manufacturing. The upper level provides tenant-leased offices, linking industry partners with student talent. The building’s exterior features a glass wall facing the city, showcasing lab activities, while the campus side offers a welcoming porch and a showcase lab, exemplifying collaboration between public and private sectors to foster workforce development.

This facility received Honorable Mention: Excellence in Sustainability in Lab Design's inaugural Design Excellence Awards in 2020.