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Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art

Denver, CO, USA
Architect
Olson Kundig Architects

This 38,500 ft2 (3,577 m2), two-story museum in the heart of Denver’s arts and cultural district, the Golden Triangle, highlights the artistry and craft of the internationally renowned decorative art collection housed within. The museum is named for renowned Colorado artist Vance Kirkland, whose historic studio building is incorporated into the design. The museum’s collection comprises over 30,000 works, including the nation’s largest repository of Colorado art.
The facade is comprised of a straightforward scheme, but the use of rich and vibrant colors inspired by the lively art collection within sets it apart. Vertically-oriented luminous terracotta bars in an array of yellow hues, punctuated with gold-backed rectangular glass baguettes, enliven the building’s street-front. A series of handcrafted and textured amber glass fins articulate the museum’s entrance. Front’s collaboration on the project began in 2015 and included working to integrate the custom fins into the facade. Additional scope included the interior glass displays.

Alex Fradkin
Alex Fradkin
Alex Fradkin

This 38,500 ft2 (3,577 m2), two-story museum in the heart of Denver’s arts and cultural district, the Golden Triangle, highlights the artistry and craft of the internationally renowned decorative art collection housed within. The museum is named for renowned Colorado artist Vance Kirkland, whose historic studio building is incorporated into the design. The museum’s collection comprises over 30,000 works, including the nation’s largest repository of Colorado art.
The facade is comprised of a straightforward scheme, but the use of rich and vibrant colors inspired by the lively art collection within sets it apart. Vertically-oriented luminous terracotta bars in an array of yellow hues, punctuated with gold-backed rectangular glass baguettes, enliven the building’s street-front. A series of handcrafted and textured amber glass fins articulate the museum’s entrance. Front’s collaboration on the project began in 2015 and included working to integrate the custom fins into the facade. Additional scope included the interior glass displays.

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