What if I told you that this building right here reshaped the identity of a college? This is the CCD Confluence Building. It stands as a testament to Community College of Denver’s growth and vision.
Before the Confluence Building, CCD was tucked away. It was housed in the South Classroom Building. The college lacked a distinct presence. It wasn’t a campus destination. The Confluence Building changed everything.
Opened in May, the 87,000-square-foot Confluence Building cost $40 million. It gave CCD students access to vital services. The building provides fourteen new classrooms. It also offers tutoring, testing, office space, meeting rooms, and a café.
Bernice Harris, CCD’s Provost, emphasized its importance. She said that CCD had never had a new building before. Also CCD had never had a building that was truly theirs. The Confluence Building filled that void.
The Confluence Building sits on the Auraria Campus. Its location is at Seventh Street and West Colfax Avenue. The building acts as a one-stop student services center. It provides bright classrooms and a welcoming atmosphere.
The Confluence Building design cleverly responds to its surroundings. It is located on the edge of campus. The building is flanked by a major thoroughfare to the north. It’s also near a historic park to the east.
The building’s northwest façade rises to four stories. It gives CCD a strong urban front door. A two-story “back porch” with a café faces a landscape plaza. The plaza connects with the park. This area offers year-round shelter for outdoor seating.
Inside, the “Welcome Hall” connects the north and south entries. This hall serves as the main social hub. Lounges and study spaces tie together on multiple levels. This design enhances visibility. It draws daylight into the heart of the building.
The Confluence Building boasts sustainability features. The building uses natural light. It incorporates a green roof, chilled beams, radiant floor, triple-paned insulated glass and sunscreens. It achieved LEED Gold certification.
Duane Risse, CCD’s Chief Financial Officer, stated that this building set a new standard for the Auraria Campus. Little old CCD had made its mark.
OZ Architecture and Bora Architects designed the building. Students funded it through a fee increase. They wanted a new building with more classrooms. Harris believed it would change how students felt about being at CCD. The CCD Confluence Building succeeded. It created a positive image. It provided spaces to attract, engage, and retain students.