Architecture is more than Corinthian-columned marble towers for wealthy people, and Doors Open Denver demonstrates the range and importance of public spaces for all socioeconomic neighborhoods — particularly in downtown Denver.
For the Denver Architecture Foundation’s annual Doors Open Denver, most events over the four-day celebration Thursday to Sunday were inspired by the “Destination Downtown” theme in the wake of downtown Denver’s most significant transformation in decades with the reimagining of 16th Street. With free and ticketed events, Doors Open Denver offers a range of happenings: guided insider tours of iconic downtown buildings, open houses at leading architecture and design firms, lectures, presentations, walking tours, a photography contest, Midcentury Modern trivia and a “lec-tour” of downtown Denver by Alan Gass, a Denver native, photographer and Harvard-trained architect who, now in his 90s, has a long view of the Mile High City.
Designing, building Common Ground
The standout pillar of this year’s event is known as the Common Ground.
Students at the University of Colorado Denver College of Architecture and Planning worked in groups to design and build installations for five local nonprofits for the Common Ground “Doors Open Denver” design festival in Denver.
“We produce Doors Open Denver each year to inspire Denverites to explore their city and to envision its future,” said Meg Tourborg, president and CEO of the Denver Architecture Foundation. “The Common Ground exhibition is a perfect opening to this year’s Doors Open Denver weekend.”
The Common Ground Community Design Project, a collaborative civic design initiative launched by Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s office, also includes the University of Colorado Denver College of Architecture and Planning, the Lavender Hill Cultural District and the Denver Architecture Foundation. Led by Leyuan Li — assistant professor, CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning — over a 16-week studio course, CU Denver architecture students designed and built custom outdoor installations with the needs of five community organizations in mind.
The installations will be publicly unveiled during Doors Open Denver at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, then permanently relocated to the neighborhood of each partner organization to serve as a lasting public architecture amenity. A Common Ground 2026 publication showcasing Denver’s diverse design voices will also be available.
Architecture for all: installations serve diverse communities
The Common Ground’s five new installations:
All five installations for the Denver Architecture Foundation’s Common Ground “Doors Open Denver” community design festival will make their debut this from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Denver Performing Arts Complex as one of the kickoff events for Doors Open Denver. (Courtesy photo, Elaine Minjy Limmer)
Colorado Nepalese Community, a falcha-inspired pavilion, a traditional Nepali resting structure, reimagined for Denver’s Nepali diaspora
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, an interactive installation amplifying immigrant narratives and Colorado’s diverse cultures
Lavender Hill Cultural District, a queer-affirming space celebrating Denver’s LGBTQIA+ history and creativity
Greater Denver CARES Mentoring Movement, a gathering space inspiring marginalized youth through storytelling and literature
Empower Media Exchange, a media and storytelling kiosk preserving local histories
“Common Ground is everything we love to see in a collaborative design project,” Tourborg said. “It’s exciting because students brought fresh eyes and new ideas to the creative process, and the nonprofit partners brought their missions and their lived experiences. The result is five unique installations that celebrate these communities.”
A pet project of Denver mayor
Students at the University of Colorado Denver College of Architecture and Planning worked in groups to design and build installations for five local nonprofits for the Common Ground “Doors Open Denver” design festival in Denver. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is in the middle.
Mayor Mike Johnston said, “I’m really looking forward to this event. Not because I’m an expert on design, but because I love seeing young people bring their dreams to life. Common Ground pairs execution with imagination, which we then all benefit from. It will be an amazing event and it’s a great reminder that while the best ideas can come from an individual, the best work usually comes when you’re working as part of a team.”
The Common Ground team also included Elaine Minjy Limmer, associate outreach director in the mayor’s office and Zach Kotel, executive director of the Lavender Hill Cultural District.
“It’s an exciting time for Denver’s built environment,” said Tourborg. “Doors Open Denver makes it easy for everyday Denverites to gain insider knowledge and understanding of where Denver is headed, directly from the people and businesses guiding our city forward.”
Denver Architecture Foundation builds community
Denver Architecture Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1990, “inspires people to explore Denver, understand the role of design in quality of life and envision the city’s future,” according to its website.
The Foundation offers monthly walking tours, hardhat tours and lectures. First launched in 2004 as the hallmark event of the nonprofit Denver Architecture Foundation, Doors Open Denver underwrites programs such as the Cleworth Architectural Legacy Project, which brings architecture education to K-8 Colorado schools.
Other 2006 Doors Open Denver highlights include:
Thursday, Sept. 24
• Taking the Long View Keynote lecture and book launch at Historic Evans School, by Ray Calabro, FAIA, principal at Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, 2:30 p.m. (ticketed)
• Common Ground Community Design Project reception, at Denver Performing Arts Complex, showcasing a new civic design collaboration that produced custom outdoor installations for five local community organizations, 5 p.m. (free)
Friday, Sept. 25
• A presentation of the downtown Denver area plan by Andrew Iltis, senior vice president of Downtown Denver Partnership (ticketed)
•Guided insider tours exploring the future of significant city projects, including Denver Pavilions, Skyline Park and 16th Street (ticketed)
•Guided insider tours of select architectural gems, including Concord Energy and the Petroleum Building (ticketed)
• On the Boards open houses at 20 top architectural firms throughout the city, who’ll showcase their current and future projects (free)
• Wall Street of the West: Denver’s 17th Street with Historic Denver (ticketed)
• Mid-century modern trivia at La Vista Motel (ticketed)
Saturday, Sept. 26
• A walking tour exploring the transformation of Denver’s Lower Downtown (ticketed)
•An insider tour of the Mountain States Telegraph and Telephone Building (ticketed)
• A tour of the Downtown Denver Alleyways Project (ticketed)
• Renowned architect Alan Gass’ photographic idiosyncratic tour of Denver’s primary pedestrian district (ticketed)
• Continued insider tours and open sites featuring Denver’s most notable spaces
Sunday, Sept. 27
• Reception for the Visions of Denver Photography Contest (free)
This year’s Doors Open Denver will have a public headquarters at Design Workshop (1490 Lawrence St.) with open hours each day until Friday, Sept. 25. Information for the public and volunteers will be available there, along with tours of Design Workshop.
For more information, visit the Denver Architecture Foundation website.
IF YOU GO:
Common Ground Reception at Doors Open Denver 2026
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
Time: 5–7 p.m.
Location: Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1400 Curtis St., Denver
Cost: free; RSVP requested
5 p.m. Celebration opens; refreshments available
5:15 p.m. Optional tour of Ellie Caulkins Opera House (tickets required)
5:30 p.m. Welcome remarks by Denver Mayor Mike Johnston
6:15 p.m. Optional tour of Ellie Caulkins Opera House (tickets required)
7 p.m. celebration concludes
