Hellems renovation
We are thrilled by the opportunity to reimagine the iconic Hellems Arts and Sciences building, creating a welcoming space for all at the 西瓜视频. Discover more about the early history of the Hellems building, renovation details, our student-first design process and what to expect next.
To submit pictures that show campus spaces that are welcoming or unwelcoming, email our team with the image attached.
Building Inclusivity
The word 鈥渦niversity鈥 means 鈥渨hole, entire, totality.鈥 It exemplifies the objective of the Hellems Arts & Sciences renewal. Our goal is to design and construct a building that welcomes all and embraces our unique experiences, perspectives, talents and contributions鈥攑eople from the whole state, the entire country, the totality of the world.
A foundation of three pillars enables us to achieve this objective. An Owner. A Designer. A Builder. All three share responsibility. All three are devoted to the following goals:
- Acknowledge that we are building on the traditional territories of the Ute, Cheyenne and Arapaho Nations
- Hold a zero-tolerance policy for hate, discrimination or bias in any form
- Ensure the thousands of people who will touch this project understand the goal of Building Inclusivity
- Create a working environment of trust, dignity and compassion in which people feel valued and supported
- Be aware of how resources are expended and how they affect local and disadvantaged communities
- Design and build space that makes everyone feel safe and welcome, and ready to engage, question and learn
By pursuing these goals, we are Building Inclusivity. We are ensuring that the design and construction of this project embodies the experience we aim to provide to users for the next 100 years and beyond.
Land acknowledgment
We honor and acknowledge that the University of Colorado鈥檚 four campuses are on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute, Apache, Comanche, Kiowa, Lakota, Pueblo and Shoshone Nations. Further, we acknowledge the 48 contemporary tribal nations historically tied to the lands that compose what is now called Colorado.
Acknowledging that we live in the homelands of Indigenous peoples recognizes the original stewards of these lands and their legacies. With this land acknowledgment, we celebrate the many contributions of Native peoples to the fields of medicine, mathematics, government and military service, arts, literature, engineering and more. We also recognize the sophisticated and intricate knowledge systems Indigenous peoples have developed in relationship to their lands.
We recognize and affirm the ties these nations have to their traditional homelands and the many Indigenous peoples who thrive in this place, alive and strong. We also acknowledge the painful history of ill treatment and forced removal that has had a profoundly negative impact on Native nations.
We respect the many diverse Indigenous peoples still connected to this land. We honor them and thank the indigenous ancestors of this place. The University of Colorado pledges to provide educational opportunities for Native students, faculty and staff and advance our mission to understand the history and contemporary lives of Native peoples.
Arapaho camp across Cherry Creek from the gold seekers camp in 1858.
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Young Arapaho dancers. To learn one of the languages spoken throughout most of the Front Range's history, check out CU Boulder's .
Photo courtesy of the Wind River Casino.
Transforming CU Boulder's humanities hub
The circa 1921 Hellems Arts and Sciences Building was the first campus building designed by Charles Z. Klauder in the Tuscan Vernacular style. It epitomizes Klauder鈥檚 concepts of varying roof profiles, dovecote chimneys, decorative cartouches and the 鈥渂ookend鈥 style: central wings with vertical window elements abutted on each end by taller pavilions framing and focusing the composition.
In 1937, Klauder designed east and west wings, which along with the Henderson Museum Building formed a courtyard around the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theater. The building and its wings were named for Fred Burton Renney Hellems, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for 30 years, beginning in 1899 at the age of 27.
Hellems has been a place where generations of students discovered and deepened the joy of learning the humanities. It now houses the Departments of English, History, Linguistics and Philosophy, as well as the Anderson Language and Technology Center (ALTEC) and Colorado Shakespeare Festival, whose offices shape the building's vibrancy.
This project consists of a comprehensive renovation of the building. Construction on the building was originally completed 100 years ago, and we now have the opportunity to reinvigorate it for another 100 years of service.
Goals include creating inspirational teaching spaces, a reimagined home for the Departments of English, Philosophy, History and Linguistics, as well as the ALTEC program. The design envisions new, "sticky spaces" where people are inclined to linger and collaborate. The project will also refresh the Mary Rippon Theater, home of the world-famous Colorado Shakespeare Festival.
Reimagine Hellems Project Proposal
David Keltner from Hacker Architects proposes a way to renew CU Boulder's hub for the humanities by creating an open atrium at the building's central entrance and improving the building's visual access to the Mary Rippon amphitheater.
Hellems Construction Site Plan
Guided by the CU Boulder community
Hellems has hosted hundreds of thousands of students during the last 100 years and will do so for another 100 years. Some 56% of all first-year students take a class in Hellems' iconic halls. Understanding the importance of this building in the student experience, we endeavor to create an inclusive, welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable and a true sense of belonging.
To design it, we鈥檙e leveraging input from a broad group of stakeholders and consultants, including students, faculty, staff and alumni.
The process is an exciting, iterative progression that folds in new feedback and insights as we learn more about what the CU Boulder community prefers, what the building can accommodate and what the budget can afford.
To get involved, keep an eye on this website! We will post new designs as they are completed and welcome your feedback.
And send us pictures! In particular, we are searching for images that help us understand the following questions:
- What spaces on campus are welcoming?
- What spaces on campus are not welcoming?
- What about spaces off-campus? What do you like, and what don鈥檛 you like?
Even if we can鈥檛 roll all of this feedback into the Hellems renovation, it will help guide future projects.
Who we are
The Hellems Renovation Project is led by the College of Arts and Sciences, Provost鈥檚 Office and Planning, Design and Construction. This core team works closely with departments and programs in the building, subject experts, faculty and student leaders who seek to make Hellems a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone.
Users
DEI Engagement Committee
Student Advisory Committee
Provost鈥檚 Office
Office of the Registrar
College of Arts and Sciences
Subject Matter Experts
Occupants
We are grateful to the departments and programs who call Hellems home. Generations of students deepened the joy of learning the humanities, and this will continue for the next 100 years because of these departments鈥 efforts.
Many voices have contributed to making Hellems a welcoming space for all.
Join the effort to reimagine Hellems and leave your mark. Sign up to receive email updates about the renovation's progress.