At its new Spur campus in Denver, Colorado State University (CSU) will bring its expertise to the public by offering free educational experiences to visitors of all ages. Spur’s three buildings—Hydro, Terra, and Vida—will focus, respectively, on water, earth, and life.
The first of the three facilities, Vida (Spanish for “life”), highlights the connection between animal and human health. Designed by Clark & Enersen and built by JE Dunn, the three-story, 118,000-square-foot facility has the capacity to offer 7,500 equine-assisted services (EAS) sessions each year. These sessions comprise physical, occupational, and speed therapy; mental health counseling; adaptive horsemanship and therapeutic riding; and equine-facilitated learning. Vida, which opened to visitors in January, replaces a temporary site that had hosted about 1,500 therapy sessions a year.
“CSU Spur’s Vida building has the goal of educating young visitors about careers in health, and we were interested in offering collaborative spaces that leveraged CSU’s unique skills in equine veterinary care, while partnering with organizations like the Dumb Friends League to train students and provide veterinary care to families,” Jocelyn Hittle, assistant vice chancellor of CSU Spur, said in a statement.
As the first of the three CSU Spur buildings, Vida needed distinct but flexible spaces that could support the ever-changing programs. Clark & Enersen took a holistic approach to the design, providing architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, engineering, and construction administration services. This allowed for the integration of architecture, interiors, site design, and systems—particularly important for a facility that hosts so many different programs.
In addition to EAS activities, Vida supports equine medical and rehabilitation services, as well as a veterinary hospital that provides healthcare services to dogs and cats. Vida’s spaces encourage visitors to experience what it would be like to work as a veterinarian, veterinary technician, animal behavioral specialist, or wildlife biologist. To promote public viewing and participation, the design team kept sightlines and wayfinding top of mind, leading to an abundant use of glass.
Owner: Colorado State University, CSU Spur Campus
Owner’s representative: CAA ICON
Design architect: Clark & Enersen and INVISION
Architect of record, MEP engineer, and structural engineer: Clark & Enersen
Civil Engineer: Martin/Martin
General contractor/construction manager: JE Dunn
Related Stories
University Buildings | Feb 7, 2023
Kansas City University's Center for Medical Education Innovation can adapt to changes in medical curriculum
The Center for Medical Education Innovation (CMEI) at Kansas City University was designed to adapt to changes in medical curriculum and pedagogy. The project program supported the mission of training leaders in osteopathic medicine with a state-of-the-art facility that leverages active-learning and simulation-based training.
Giants 400 | Feb 6, 2023
2022 Reconstruction Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. building reconstruction and renovation sector
Gensler, Stantec, IPS, Alfa Tech, STO Building Group, and Turner Construction top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest reconstruction sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Steel Buildings | Feb 3, 2023
Top 10 structural steel building projects for 2023
A Mies van der Rohe-designed art and architecture school at Indiana University and Morphosis Architects' Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa, Calif., are among 10 projects to win IDEAS² Awards from the American Institute of Steel Construction.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Feb 1, 2023
University of Houston opens 'game changer' wellness center at downtown campus
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) recently opened its new Wellness & Success Center (WSC). The $39 million, 75,000 sf facility greatly improves the quality of the school’s exercise programs and areas dedicated to them. It also establishes a dynamic core and recognizable landmark for fostering and nurturing an on-campus community, according to a news release from SmithGroup, which designed the building along with HarrisonKornberg Architects.
University Buildings | Jan 30, 2023
How wellness is reshaping college recreation centers
Moody Nolan, a specialist in the design of college recreation centers, has participated in the evolution toward wellness on college campuses.
University Buildings | Jan 27, 2023
Ozarks Technical Community College's advanced manufacturing center is first-of-a-kind in region
The new Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, Mo., is a first-of-a-kind educational asset in the region. The 125,000-sf facility will educate and train a new generation in high tech, clean manufacturing and fabrication.
Student Housing | Jan 26, 2023
6 ways 'choice architecture' enhances student well-being in residence halls
The environments we build and inhabit shape our lives and the choices we make. NAC Architecture's Lauren Scranton shares six strategies for enhancing well-being in residence halls.
University Buildings | Jan 17, 2023
Texas Christian University breaks ground on medical school for Dallas-Fort Worth region
Texas Christian University (TCU) has broken ground on the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, which aims to help meet the expanding medical needs of the growing Dallas-Fort Worth region.
ProConnect Events | Jan 16, 2023
6 more BD+C ProConnect Events in 2023 – The videos show why you should participate
ProConnects bring building product manufacturers and suppliers together with architects, contractors, builders, and developers to discuss upcoming projects and learn about new products and technical solutions.
Adaptive Reuse | Jan 12, 2023
Invest in existing buildings for your university
According to Nick Sillies of GBBN, students are increasingly asking: "How sustainable is your institution?" Reusing existing buildings may help answer that.