Gary Desmond, FAIA, PRIMARY CONSULTANT 

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Bachelor of Architecture, University of Michigan

Elected to College of Fellows of AIA in 1995, became National Chair of the College in 2011

Currently “Retired Architect” status. Previously registered Architect until 2019 in Colorado, Arizona, California, Michigan, South Dakota, and NCARB Certified. Can be formally reinstated if necessary.

Background:

Prior to becoming an Owner’s Representative, he and his partners founded their Architectural firm in Denver, Colorado in 1980 (Hoover Berg Desmond) and ultimately led the merger of his successor firm, AR7 Architects, with the national practice of NAC Architecture in 2011.  Although he no longer practices Architecture, his experience gained in over 40 years of practice provides the basis of knowledge and wisdom for current Owner Representation services which he started in 2014 after requests from former Architectural services clients. 

During his leadership in his Architectural firm, he served as Architect of projects valued at over $1 billion involving planning, design, and/or construction.  His former firms received significant national and local recognition as Firm of the Year from the American Institute of Architects, Western Mountain Region, AIA Colorado, AIA Denver, and numerous national and local design Awards.  His broad and deep range of experience and abilities has given him the knowledge and wisdom of all aspects of project visioning and delivery in a collaborative manner.  As Principal-in-charge of a wide range of projects for the firm’s projects, he has led design teams in a wide range of pre-design services, master plans, and building designs including commercial, retail, educational, cultural, scientific, technological, public and private sector facilities of all types and sizes across the western U.S.  He helped “invent” the use of Construction Management in Colorado in the early 70’s for the State of Colorado.

AIA Denver chose Gary Desmond as “Architect of the Year” in 2005 for his long-term contributions and achievements in all five categories of possible recognition: Service to the Profession in Colorado, Service in the Field of Architectural Education, Achievement in the Profession of Architecture, Public Service to the Community, and Service to the Building Industry of Colorado.

Gary is passionate volunteer for City Building and is active in the downtown Denver community.  He has served on various boards, committees, and councils for the enhancement of Denver and the Colorado community, including:

  • Design Review Board member, Auraria Higher Education center

  • Board Member, Denver Civic Ventures [1-year as Vice-Chair]; Downtown Denver Partnership

  • Board Member, Downtown Denver Partnership, Management Group

  • Board Member, Downtown Denver Events; Downtown Denver Partnership (Parade of Lights, Taste of Colorado)

  • Chair, Central Platte Valley Development Council (led to the development of what is there today)

  • Chair, Transportation and Development Council, Downtown Denver Partnership

  • Steering Committee, Downtown Denver Area Plan

  • Chair:  Connect Auraria Coalition (connecting the campus to Downtown Denver)

  • State of Colorado, Design + Construction Contracts Committee

  • National Chair, American Institute of Architects, College of Fellows, (elected to the College in 1995)

He is also periodically called upon as a design critic and seminar leader at the University of Colorado College of Architecture and Planning, Graduate School.

During his 40+ year career as an architect, Gary has directed design teams for a variety of project types and sizes including cultural and educational facilities, research labs, housing, commercial, transit, mixed use projects and Transit Oriented Developments.  His passion is making excellent results happen through collaboration with clients, the design/construction team, and the community.

Gary has dedicated his professional life to successful firm leadership, project leadership, and collaborative project processes which consistently produce excellent results while serving as an integral and effective voice in society.  He continues to reach out to his peers, students, and the community on behalf of the profession, contributing his ideals and his ideas.

Example PUBLIC Project Experience
(in addition to private sector):

  • Denver Justice Center Post Office and Garage, Denver, CO

  • Auraria Higher Education Center, Denver, CO

    • Kenneth King Center; Classroom, Office and Performing Arts Complex

    • North Classroom Building

    • Lawrence Street Pedestrian Mall

    • Parking and Transportation Center

    • Campus Village Student Apartments (public-private development)

    • Child Care Center

  • University of Colorado Anschutz Campus

    • Medical Education Building (Ed 1B)

    • Center for Bioethics and Humanities

    • Education Zone Micro-Master Plan

    • Buildings 402 and 406 Remodel for Family Medicine, COHO/CRISP

  • University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

    • Engineering Building

    • Science and Engineering Building

    • Science and Engineering Complex Long Range Plan

    • Cragmor Campus Micro-Master Plan

    • Library Plaza Improvements

  • University of Arizona, Tucson

    • Sixth Street Residential Housing, 1200 beds

    • Highland District Student Housing, 600 beds

    • Environment and Natural Resources Building

    • Environment and Natural Resources Complex Master Plan

    • Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Building

    • Integrated Engineering Complex Master Plan

  • University of Colorado, Boulder

    • Space Technology Center

    • LASP Space Technology Center Addition

    • Farrand and Libby Hall Dining Room Renovations

  • Pima County Community College, Tucson, AZ

    • East Campus Remodel and Expansion

    • Northwest Campus Programming and Planning

  • Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood, CO

    • Learning and Resource Center and Classrooms Addition and Remodel

    • Campus Master Plan

    • Construction Technology Facility

  • US Air Force Academy, CO

    • Memorial Pavilion and Directory Building

    • Cadet Chapel Renovation

    • Visitor Center Expansion Study

    • Community Center Chapel Expansion and Remodel

OTHER:

  • Post Office and Mixed-Use Building, Denver Justice Center, Denver Colorado

  • Golden High School, Jefferson County Schools, Golden, CO

  • Cherry Creek High School Performing and Fine Arts Center

  • Recording and Research Center, Denver Center for Performing Arts, Denver, CO

  • Denver Art Museum Bach Wing Remodel and New Entrance Canopy, Denver, CO

  • USDA National Wild Animal Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins

 
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