DEN’s Latest Temporary Art Exhibition Pays Homage to the Essence of the Rocky Mountains via Ready-to-Wear Fashion

Denver International Airport’s (DEN) latest temporary art exhibition, Rocky Mountain Reverie: Fashioning the Spirit of the High Country, is a fashion journey that pays homage to the multifaceted essence of the Rocky Mountains. Local firms that work in the built environment (i.e. interior design, construction, furniture dealerships and student groups) are paired with manufacturers to create the garments included in this exhibition.

Rocky Mountain Reverie: Fashioning the Spirit of the High Country was created in collaboration with the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Rocky Mountain Chapter, which hosts a fashion show called Prêt-À-Porter every other year in the Denver area. The selections on display at DEN are from the 2024 edition of this signature event. Where “finish meets fashion,” Prêt-À-Porter is Colorado’s main stage event for the culmination of architecture, design and inspiring ready-to-wear-fashion. 

This exhibition, on view now through January, is located in Ansbacher Hall on the A-Bridge. It is the first exhibition to be located where Bridge Security was previously located. The space, once a bustling checkpoint, has been transformed into an open, welcoming and calming location.

Additional images can be found here.

Maryland Department of General Services Seeking Construction Bids for New Supreme Court Building

Excerpts: The Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) has announced the release of an Invitation for Bid (IFB) to construct a new Maryland Supreme Court building. 

This landmark project will be the only Supreme Court currently under construction in the U.S. and represents a significant investment in Maryland’s judicial infrastructure.

The building’s design is led by Fentress Architects with the aim of reaching or exceeding LEED Silver standards, and it will break new ground as Maryland’s first all-electric public building.

The five-story courthouse with underground parking will be built along Rowe Boulevard, just north of the Sweeney District Courthouse in Annapolis. Designed with both function and legacy in mind, the building will include 217,564 gross square feet of space. 

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Planning Meets Purpose at Albemarle County’s Modern New Courthouse in Virginia

Excerpts: Albemarle County’s newly opened courthouse in downtown Charlottesville marks a significant milestone in civic architecture and community planning. Located within historic Court Square, the modern facility replaces aging infrastructure dating back to 1762, addressing long-standing space, safety, and operational needs. A key feature of the project was the restoration of the Levy House, an 1860s Greek Revival landmark that has served as everything from a Civil War hospital to an opera house—now repurposed as the County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.

The courthouse project, designed by Fentress Studios, a Populous Company (who also served as court planner), officially launched in 2020 as a collaborative, two-phase effort with Albemarle County. Spanning several downtown sites, the new complex introduces nearly 80,000 square feet of functional space—including courtrooms, offices, and public areas—to meet the demands of a growing population and rising caseloads.

Fentress Studios guided the planning process through data analysis and stakeholder input, engaging judges, law enforcement, and court staff. Architecturally, the building marries practicality with modern aesthetics, featuring extensive glasswork to enhance daylight and public visibility.

More than just a facility upgrade, this courthouse stands as a symbol of civic progress—respecting its historic roots while embracing the evolving needs of the community it serves.

The new courthouse is actually Phase 1 of a two-phase project that is expected to reach full completion in 2027.  Justice Design News touched base with the highly esteemed Steven White, FAIA, LEED AP, studio director and senior principal with Fentress Studios, for some of the key details on this historic undertaking.

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Airport Terminals Take Flight with Passenger-Centric Upgrades and Additions

Rising traveler volumes, advances in technology, and wellness preferences are project drivers.

Excerpts: On July 8, Nashville International Airport in Tennessee is scheduled to complete the opening of an extension to its Concourse D that adds six new gates and 190,000 sf of space, 23,000 sf of which for concessions; a 160-foot-long moving walkway, and an outdoor terrace.

This project, whose Progressive Design-Build team has been led by Fentress Architects and Hensel Phelps, is part of the airport’s $3 billion New Horizon construction and renovation plan that is addressing surging passenger volumes. 

“Technology is reshaping every phase of airport design and construction, from planning and prefabrication to post-occupancy maintenance,” says Curtis Worth Fentress, FAIA, RIBA, Founder and Principal-in-Charge of Design for Fentress Architects.  His firm has seen a “major shift” from reactive to predictive modeling, with digital replicas simulating everything from HVAC systems to passenger flow before ground is broken on a project.

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Top 300 U.S. Architecture Firms of 2025

Excerpt: Unlike the weather, fashion, and the price of gas, the upper ranks of RECORD’s annual Top 300 American architecture firms by revenue list aren’t all that prone to change… More dramatic maneuvers were reported outside of the Top 300’s upper echelons. For example, Fentress Architects ascended from 112 to 58.

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DIA at 30

Curtis Fentress on Denver International Airport, and rejecting ‘grocery store’-like designs


Airport Architecture by Edward Russell

Excerpt: That tent-roofed icon of the west, Denver International Airport, opened its doors 30-years ago last week… Fast forward three decades and DIA, or DEN as it is now known, is a resounding success… And passenger numbers have jumped 19% since 2019 to 82.4 million last year, making DIA the third busiest airport in the U.S. (behind Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth) and among the top 10 in the world.

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Thomas J. Walsh Elevated to AIA College of Fellows

Excerpt: Fentress Architects proudly announces that Thomas J. Walsh has been elevated to the prestigious American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows, a distinction that recognizes exceptional work and contributions to the architecture profession and society. Fewer than 3% of AIA members hold the esteemed FAIA designation.

“Thom Walsh has been at Fentress Architects for 36 years, leading airport terminal projects throughout the U.S. and around the world,” said Curtis Fentress, FAIA, RIBA, Fentress Architects Principal in Charge of Design. “He has advanced the practice of terminal design, leading stakeholders, teams, and communities through large scale projects with complicated planning and phasing.”

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AIA elevates 93 architects to the College of Fellows

Excerpt: The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is elevating 83 member-architects and 10 non-member-architects to its College of Fellows, an honor awarded to architects who have made significant contributions to the profession. New Fellows will be honored at the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA25) in Boston.

Newly elevated member: Thomas J. Walsh, AIA Colorado

Thom Walsh
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6 Sustainable Airport Design Examples

Excerpt: Sustainable airport design can be much more complex than creating a green office space or home. Factors like runway constraints, an urban environment, and millions of annual visitors make airport sustainability no easy feat…

See how these airports are not only designed for the environment, but also for new and seasoned travelers alike.

1. Terminal C at Orlando International Airport 

2. Los Angeles International Airport

3. Nashville International Airport’s Concourse D

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