Denver Botanic Gardens Signature Pavilion Commission

The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs (DOCA) and Denver Botanic Gardens (DBG) seek to commission a designer, architect, artist, or team to create a permanent signature pavilion for the Gardens. The pavilion will be a functional, site-specific installation providing shade, rain protection, and visual interest year-round. It will serve as a key event space offering social interaction and special events, located at the terminus of several walking paths overlooking the horseshoe-shaped "Monet Pond," with proximity to a future Japanese tea garden and bonsai pavilion expansion.

The designated terrace is approximately 4,400 square feet, with the pavilion footprint requiring a minimum of 36 x 76 feet. The design must provide four-season interest and be durable and sustainable for an area with significant foot traffic and public interaction. If semi-permanent and requiring winter removal, the structure should be easily assembled, disassembled, and stored. Permanent support columns or structural members must add sculptural interest and have a timeless quality while withstanding Colorado's extreme climate, snow, wind, and ice. Innovations allowing breathability and light penetration while protecting against rain and sun are encouraged.

Approximately $100,000 USD is available for this commission, incorporating all expenses including design fees, engineering, materials, fabrication, transportation, and installation. Artists are encouraged to seek in-kind donations to extend the budget. Applicants must submit eight digital images, a résumé, a concept statement of no longer than 500 words, and answer short questions via www.callforentry.org. Between one and five semi-finalists will be selected for interviews. Semi-finalists selected for formal proposals will receive an honorarium to prepare and present proposals in person. All finalists must complete work by March 31, 2011. Single artists and multi-person collaborations may apply.