Was it always this vibrant? Standing before the Community Commons, one can’t help but feel the energy of the University of Denver. This isn’t just a building. It’s a hub where connections blossom and experiences come to life.
The Community Commons is located at the heart of the DU campus. This 132000-square-foot building serves as a reimagined community connection. Opened in January, it quickly became the centerpiece of a student-oriented campus neighborhood. It is designed to elevate and enrich the student experience.
Designed by Anderson Mason Dale, in association with Moore Ruble Yudell Architects, the Community Commons presents many opportunities. Students, faculty, and staff encounter each other here. They form connections and cultivate relationships.
Student support services are entirely housed in the Community Commons. Instead of being spread across multiple buildings, Student Services staff can provide comprehensive support in one central location. The building includes multi-story pathways and gathering spaces.
Inside, you will find the campus’ central dining room. It features nine different micro-restaurants, offering students diverse dining options. The building has a 700-person capacity, ensuring space for everyone to connect. You’ll also find an undergraduate and graduate student lounge, separated by a large exterior balcony. The Community Commons also houses the campus’ only dedicated faculty lounge.
Don’t miss the Grand Forum, a large event space on the first floor. The fourth floor is almost entirely outdoors. It captures the beauty of the surrounding campus offering a rooftop oasis for student gatherings. The exterior is clad with cooper, glass, and brick.
The Community Commons includes a green roof. Approximately 30 percent of the roof is planted with grass. The Driscoll Bridge, once closed during construction, has reopened. It provides access to the second floor of the Community Commons. Before construction, this popular campus crossing over Evans Avenue accommodated 4000 crossings.
Saunders Construction completed the Community Commons. Construction on the 64 million dollar project started in March 2018. Saunders’ founder, Richard C. Saunders, donated 1.5 million dollars to the project.
Interestingly, the patterned local copper across the building’s exterior is inspired by the geological context of local canyons. Exterior sunshades and vertical fins reduce solar heat gain and glare. A central canyon-like space offers access to daylight.
The Community Commons replaces a student services center built in 1984. It welcomes an increasingly diverse community. The open floor plan proved particularly beneficial in response to COVID restrictions. Many open areas were repurposed as teaching and learning spaces.
Indeed, the Community Commons strengthens campus identity. It conveys openness through transparency. It reinforces an inclusive sense of belonging. It celebrates diverse cultures and student-focused services under one roof.
This building is full of features that make it singular. The fourth-floor bridge connecting the facility’s two wings boasts a tree trunk-like appearance. A “workers wall” features the names of the 800 people who contributed to the building’s construction.
The University of Denver Community Commons project provides phenomenal spaces for the DU community to interact. The building architecture is unique. The interior design draws people into the building. The Community Commons is more than just a building. It’s a place where the DU community comes together.