CREJ

December 2021 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 87 / The University of Denver / holders determined the design and functionality of the building. “The design principle that informed the program was centered on creating a sense of belonging,” says Lotif. “And that is mission critical to any university. Relation- ship building is critical to student retention. At the end of the day belonging is what motivates the student to learn, is what motivates the students to stay in school and it’s what motivates them to, ultimately, graduate. And we never lost sight of that.” A four-story, 132,000-square-foot, LEED Silver gem, Com- munity Commons stands out with its striking design and can’t-miss-it location. A variegated brick base gives way to a beautiful copper exterior skin in a striated pattern, which resembles a Colorado canyon wall. Curtain wall glazing communicates openness and transparency while bathing the interior with light. A north-facing clerestory also runs the length of the building, which brings even more light into the interior. Copper roofs top off the building, and outdoor terraces hum with activity. Copper and brick, both architectural threads woven through the DU campus, make a state- ment, and the building literally reaches out with the Driscoll Pedestrian Bridge, which reaches from the sec- ond floor and across Evans Avenue. Inside, the Community Commons feels even larger than it looks from the outside thanks to open floor plates, a central canyonlike space, wide, welcoming active stairs and massive windows. When you walk in, you’re greeted by the sound of music, the aroma of delicious foods be- ing prepared and the energy that only a vibrant student center can bring. First-floor features include an art gallery and lounge, event spaces that serve as lounges and study spaces, a Rebecca Chop Grand Central Market, a food hall that features nine micro-restaurants, serves a rotating lineup of multicultural food options. A variegated brick base gives way to a beautiful copper exterior skin in a striated pattern.