Build a day of fun and learning! Denver Architecture Foundation will host Doors Open Denver from September 26 to 29, 2024 with a series of programming around the theme of “Denver Through Time,” highlighting historic and future architectural projects and celebrating the city’s-built environment with walking tours, open sites and special events.
Photo: Denver Architecture Foundation
Most events are FREE to attend. All ticketed components are now on sale.
First launched in 2005, the annual Doors Open Denver will run for four days and include the following events:
Thursday, September 26
•A kickoff keynote lecture by Vishaan Chakrabarti, author of the upcoming The Architecture of Urbanity: Designing for Nature, Culture, and Joy, at the Denver Art Museum, followed by a book signing and reception, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
•A FREE celebration honoring winners of the Y/OUR Denver photography competition at the Colorado Photographic Arts Center, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
•A ticketed Doors Open Denver kick-off reception at the loft of Carla Hartman, granddaughter of Ray and Charles Eames; Hartman will discuss her current creative projects and her family’s collections on view in the loft, and her husband, noted painter Carl Hartman, will guide guests through his works
Friday, September 27
•Insider tours of select architectural gems, including Colfax Avenue, the Mayan Theater, Rockmount Ranch Wear, and the recently opened Champagne Tiger
•On the Boards, when 15 local architecture firms open the doors to their offices to the public to showcase recent and future projects, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
•Open Sites, an open house at 12 notable locations, including Blair Caldwell Library, Equitable Building, and the Governor’s Residence at Boettcher Mansion, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
•Creativity and Construction at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, with a dance performance by Cleo Parker Youth Ensemble, a cocktail reception, and tours of the new, iconic cultural facility, a three-level, 25,000 square foot expansion, designed by Fentress Architects, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
•Alan Gass’s Photographic Idiosyncratic Tour of Denver’s Primary Pedestrian District
Saturday, September 28
•More Insider Tours and Open Sites of notable buildings, mainly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
•Coffee and Contemporary Design, a conversation with architect and author John Ike, at Adorn, from 10 a.m. to noon.
•A FREE screening of Frey: The Architectural Envoy at Walker Fine Art, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., which documents the life and influence of the Swiss-born mid-20th century architect Albert Frey
Sunday, September 29
•The first-ever Doors Open Denver wrap party at the Posner Center for International Development, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Find the complete event guide here.
Upcoming Events in the Denver Area
Look at our full events calendar, where you can type in any date, or check out what’s happening over the next few days right here: