At the beginning of the spring semester, the University of Colorado Infrastructure and Sustainability department lost a cherished colleague. Campus Architect Emeritus Bill Deno, 94, passed away on Feb. 20.
鈥淏ill鈥檚 impact on our campus cannot be overstated,鈥� said d鈥橝ndre Willis, the fifth campus architect at 彩民宝典. 鈥淗e had a passion for the sense of place created by our warm sandstone buildings, their limestone details and red tile roofs, and the welcoming quadrangles and shaded walks that tie the buildings together.鈥�
Deno held both bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in architecture from 彩民宝典. He began working at the university as a student in the late 1960s and remained until his retirement in 2002, serving as the first campus architect for nearly two decades.听
Deno was a passionate steward of the campus aesthetic, known as 鈥淭uscan Vernacular,鈥� which was developed by Philadelphia architect Charles Klauder through his 1919 Campus Master Plan and the design of more than a dozen buildings, including Norlin Library, Hellems Arts & Sciences, Sewall Hall, Ketchum, Carlson Gymnasium, and Balch Fieldhouse. Characterized by multi-hued sandstone walls and red tile roofs, off-white limestone trim and black metal accents, this vision for the campus was continued by Klauder until his death in 1938 and by his successor firm well into the late 1950s.
Deno recognized the power of this work, and wrote the book "Body & Soul" in 1994 to record how this physical development of the campus in the University of Colorado style (the body) supports the academic and social culture of the university (its soul). The book was updated in 2018 and made into a听.听The book is a statement of what makes our campus aesthetic unique听and serves as a reminder of what should be protected for the future.
Work under Deno鈥檚 leadership includes the building of the Student Recreation Center and the Dal Ward Athletics Center, additions to Fleming (now the Ofelia Miramontes and Leonard Baca Education Building), the Engineering Center, and Imig Music; planning for the development of East Campus, and renovations of dozens of buildings.听
Deno also worked to create a wider appreciation of design on campus and expanded the team of professionals who carry on his legacy. He worked to create the role of campus landscape architect and mentored Richelle Goedert to take that role. 鈥淏ill鈥檚 dedication and enthusiasm around the campus architecture and landscape was infectious,鈥� said Goedert. 鈥淢y campus tours and discussions with him remain one of my most favorite activities as campus landscape architect.鈥�
In addition to his unwavering passion for and dedication to preserving 彩民宝典鈥檚 physical campus, Deno鈥檚 philanthropy will have a lasting impact on campus. In 2019 he created an endowed fund to support tree replacement and the development of trees on the Main Campus, ensuring the campus鈥檚 canopy is maintained alongside campus buildings.
Bill Deno鈥檚 legacy will continue to inspire generations of students, faculty, staff and the larger 彩民宝典 community, said Willis: 鈥淭he architectural elements work together against the backdrop of Colorado sunshine and stirring views of the Flatirons to build lasting emotional connection to the campus for students, alumni, faculty and staff.鈥�
Deno鈥檚 book "Body & Soul" is at the CU Book Store.
