Founded in 1923, the Denver Art Museum (DAM) anchors the cultural ecosystem of Denver and the Rocky Mountain region. The DAM campus comprises several notable works of architecture: the Martin Building, a seven-story, museum tower designed by the Italian architect Gio Ponti (1971); a bold angular temporary exhibition building designed by Daniel Libeskind (2007); a Michael Graves public library; and a private museum by Allied Works. 

Machado Silvetti was engaged to bring these pieces together into a cohesive civic place, lending a clear, coherent orientation for the entire museum. Located at the heart of the campus, the new Sie Welcome Center provides ticketing and amenities, and affords access to all wings of the museum. On the second floor of the Sie Welcome Center, an events space hovers above the grounds, its sweeping planes of glass lending views over the city.  

In addition to designing the Sie Welcome Center, Machado Silvetti led a major renovation of the Martin Building and the site, replacing all exterior insulated walls from the inside so as not to disturb the original glass tile façades. The re-envisioned learning and engagement spaces build on the museum’s pioneering efforts in arts education. 

“The project is a dramatic transformation that results in beautiful and inviting spaces for the community for generations to come.”

— BSA Design Awards Jury