Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art
1201 Bannock St, Denver, CO, USA
Facade Solution(s): Glass Facades
Product(s): QCglass
Finish: Brown metallic
Architect: Olsun Kundig Architects
Project Type(s): Cultural
Status: Complete
Completed Year: 2016
Located in Denver’s Golden Triangle neighborhood, the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art showcases a vast collection of modern design. Originally located in the studio of Coloradan Vance Kirkland, whom the museum is named after, the building was designed by Seattle-based architects Olson Kundig, providing a larger and more inviting space.
The design team sought to evoke the concepts of utility and aesthetics in 20th- century modern design, while also incorporating the abstract and chromatic language found in the artwork of Vance Kirkland. The facade design offers a prime example, as it features vertical sections of terracotta in complimentary yellow hues and the QCGlass facade system with a bronze finish.
A mix of industrial and natural materials, the facade exemplifies the design movements of Bauhaus, Art Deco, and Mid-century Modern that are the museum’s focus. It also serves a functional protection against the fluctuating daily temperature range of Denver’s climate, balancing both aesthetics and function.
