Most Recent News at RTA

Demolition of the 1960s-era Summit House on Pikes Peak has begun, marking the end of an era. This is the last major construction milestone ahead of the opening of the new Pikes Peak Visitor Center. The building will forever hold a special place in the hearts of the Summit House staff and millions of visitors who have visited the summit. It dutifully served its purpose for almost 60 years and was a construction marvel of its time, consistently withstanding the harsh 14,000-foot environment. As we say good bye, we look forward to making wonderful new memories in the new Visitor Center opening early this summer.

Video Credit: Windstar Studios and City of Colorado Springs

As we near the completion of the Pikes Peak Summit Complex, which includes the new Pikes Peak Visitor Center, we had a chance to reflect on the incredible and challenging year that was 2020.Here’s what we’re looking forward to in the last couple of months leading up to the exciting grand opening!

• Completion of the robust shutter system that will protect the glass, and the amazing views, from windborne debris

• Startup of the innovative on-site waste treatment plant

• Placement of east overlook plaque commemorating Katharine Lee Bates’ writing of America the Beautiful poem

• Completion of the south service road, guest parking lot, stairs to Cog Railway platform, boardwalk railing, Plaza-level boulders and landscaping, and fully operational lightning protection and building automated systems

• Completion of site orientation signage and areas of interest exhibits

• Completion of the U.S. Army-funded High Altitude Research Laboratory

Read the full 2020 year in review here… https://coloradosprings.gov/sites/default/files/inline-images/20bprf117_ppsc_17x11_year_in_review-fnl-singlecrops.pdf

We are honored that the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) Rocky Mountain Chapter awarded the Lake City Community School with the Summit Design Award for Renovations! Constructed on the site of the original 1880s brick school house, the Lake City Community School is a PK-12 school serving students in the Hinsdale County School District and is one of the earliest schools on Colorado’s Western Slope.

RTA worked closely with the District and the Lake City community to design an addition and renovation to enhance security, health, and safety of staff and students while still maintaining the character of the historic school site and neighborhood. The design team also highlighted the breathtaking natural beauty of Hinsdale County throughout the interior of the building. Read more about this incredible project here.

The countdown is on to the opening of the new Pikes Peak Visitor Center! After years of design and construction, the new Visitor Center is slated to open in late May, and we couldn’t be more excited. See this month’s issue of Colorado Springs Magazine to read about some of the challenges of designing one of the world’s highest-altitude projects. The story starts on page 31. 

RTA is proud to support the 2021 USGBC Colorado Wintergreen event. Join us March 17th to explore the role building materials play in human and environmental health while earning 1 GBCI CE credit and 1 AIA HSW learning unit.

Register today! https://bit.ly/3r84GFv 

The application window for our annual High School Architecture class for students in the Colorado Springs area is now open!

The 6-week class, taught by professional architects, introduces students to the fields of Architecture, Construction, and Engineering. The classes will run Thursday nights from 4-6 pm and will be a hybrid of virtual sessions and one in-person session. Students will enjoy exposure to an architect’s design process, implement that process on a project, and interact with local professionals to decide if they will pursue a career in architecture.

The application deadline is Friday, March 12^th, and all El Paso County students are welcome to apply. The class is free, though students will need to provide their own access to the virtual classes and assignment submissions as well as transportation to the in-person session. Hurry, seats are limited!

• Click here for the class application.
• Click here for the class overview.
• Click here for the full class schedule.

Check out this time-lapse of the ongoing progress on the new Pueblo Community Health Center's East Side Clinic. The structural steel and stair/elevator towers are now in place for the three-story 63,000 sf clinic, which is also the first Emerging Zero Energy outpatient healthcare clinic in the state of Colorado according to the New Buildings Institute (NBI), with extensive natural light, a tight building envelope, fiberglass windows, PV arrays, exterior sun shades, and energy-efficient equipment. The East Side Clinic is expected to open in October 2021.

Join us for an in-depth look of the innovative design of the Chinook Trail Middle School at the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) Rocky Mountain Chapter virtual tour event on Thursday, January 28^th, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm. This award-winning school was first new stand-alone middle school in Academy District 20 in over 20 years and was designed utilizing WELL Building criteria with an emphasis on healthy and positive spaces. Register here!

The photo tour of the William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center was just published at Healthcare Snapshots! Learn more about how this one-of-a-kind facility promotes synergies between UCCS academics and Centura Health sports medicine clinical treatment. It also supports treatment and training for first responders and athletes and active individuals with physical disabilities including para-athletes and wounded military veterans.