Denver Botanic Gardens' Science Pyramid / BURKETTDESIGN

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Text description provided by the architects. The Science Pyramid is located in the south central portion of the Gardens' York Street location. Defined by pools of water on the south and west sides, a depressed amphitheater to the northeast, and the El Pomar Waterway to the east, the building's site selection assures 360-degree sightlines when viewed from the rest of the Gardens.Designed to respond to its surrounding environment while bringing a sense of scale appropriate to the site without dominating surrounding elements, the building rests on a square geometric platform from which it risesnearly 34feet to its ultimate shape of a pyramid. The Pyramid is also diagonally divided into two sections and pulled apart slightly to create a visual connection along a diagonal axis with the existing Four Towers water feature on the southwest corner. The Pyramid's entry from the El Pomar Waterway, leads visitors to and from the building along a tranquil pool of water defined by tall vertical walls on each side. At the entryway, the building's skin is raised, forming an eyebrow over the threshold along the east façade.