In the 1950s, SOM famously master-planned a rigorously modern campus for the U.S. Air Force Academy on a site abutting the Rocky Mountains. More recently, SOM revisited the campus—now a National Historic Landmark District—to design a home for the newly created Center for Character & Leadership Development.
The building’s most prominent feature, a 105-foot-tall skylight, symbolically serves as a navigation aid and as a reminder of the Academy’s core values. Shaped like an aircraft tailfin, this glass-enclosed structure precisely aligns with the North Star. The skylight also provides ample natural light for the Honor Board Room below.
Classrooms and offices ring two adjacent courtyards, maximizing exterior views and minimizing the need for artificial lighting. The building's many sustainable features have earned it LEED®-NC Gold certification.
U.S. Air Force Academy – Center for Character & Leadership Development
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Project Facts
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Project Completion: 2016
Site Area: 86,500 ft2
Project Area: 46,500 ft2
Number of Stories: 1
Building Height: 105 ft
Market: Education
Service: Architecture, MEP, Structural + Civil Engineering
News
Awards
2017
Shortlisted: The Plan Award - EducationThe Plan2017
Excellence in Structural EngineeringStructural Engineering Association of New York2017
National Design AwardSociety of American Registered Architects2017
Design Award: EducationSociety of American Registered Architects - NY2017
Excellence in Structural EngineeringNational Council of Structural Engineers Association2017
International Lighting Design Award: MeritInternational Association of Lighting Designers2017
Lumen AwardIlluminating Engineering Society of North America2017
A+ Award Honorable Mention: Higher Education & Research FacilitiesArchitizer2017
Award of ExcellenceAIA – New York State2017
Award of Merit: Mechanical Systems DesignAEI Affiliated Engineers2016
Silver: Landmark/Symbolic Structure AwardInternational Design Awards2016
Silver: Institutional Building AwardInternational Design Awards2016
Award of Merit, Best of (Mountain States Region): Higher Education/ResearchEngineering News Record2016
Building of the Year: SouthwestArchitect's Newspaper2016
Excellence in Engineering TechnologyASHRAE - Illinois Chapter2016
CitationAIA – New York State2012
American Architecture AwardChicago Athenaeum2012
Honor AwardAIA – New York City Chapter2012
Award of MeritAIA – Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE)2011
International Architecture AwardChicago Athenaeum2011
Green Good Design AwardChicago AthenaeumSee Also...

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