University of Colorado Boulder Opens Renovated Arts and Sciences Building

The University of Colorado Boulder opened the renovated Hellems Arts and Sciences Building in April of 2026. Designed by Hacker and Handprint Architecture, the $105.2 million facility houses the departments of english, history, linguistics, and philosophy, as well as the Anderson Language and Technology Center. Flexible, open classrooms will encourage active learning, adapt to new pedagogies, and support both team-based and lecture-oriented educational modalities. Consolidating faculty offices to the west wing, the 95,065-gsf development features "sticky spaces" and study venues throughout to promote collaboration and foster a sense of community. 

Supported by $42.1 million in state capital construction funds, the three-story hub aims to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for graduate and undergraduate students while preserving the historical architectural vision. The two-year transformation also encompassed infrastructure and accessibility improvements to the Mary Rippon Theatre, which now connects to a vibrant central atrium at the main entrance. 

Targeting LEED Gold certification, the renovation will decrease operating costs, reducing energy use by nearly 68 percent as compared to previous conditions. High-performance HVAC systems are accompanied by LED lighting, daylight-optimized layouts, and an upgraded thermal envelope with enhanced insulation and triple-glazed windows. Low-flow fixtures will minimize water usage, and the reuse and refurbishment of original materials prevented unnecessary waste. 

Adolf & Peterson Construction was the general contractor, with Cator, Ruma & Associates as MEP engineer and Martin/Martin as structural engineer. The project team also included cost estimator Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), acoustical consultant K2 (a Salas O’Brien Company), lighting consultant AE Design, specifications consultant m.thraikill.architect.llc, and theater consultant Theatre Projects. Wenk Associates was the landscape architect.