Aspen Meadows Resort facts for kids
Aspen Meadows is a special conference center and resort found in the beautiful Rocky Mountains near Aspen, Colorado. It covers 40 acres of land. This place is owned by the Aspen Institute, which is an organization that brings leaders together to discuss important ideas. The resort is managed by Dolce Hotels and Resorts. Many important events happen here, like the annual Aspen Ideas Festival and special seminars for the Socrates Program. A famous designer named Herbert Bayer created the look of Aspen Meadows using the Bauhaus style, which is known for its simple and modern shapes.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The story of Aspen Meadows began in 1949. A man named Walter Paepcke organized a big event called the Goethe Bicentennial Convocation and Music Festival in Aspen. It was held in a large tent designed by Eero Saarinen, a famous architect. This event was a huge success.
Because of this success, the Aspen Institute was created. At first, the institute held its programs in different places. But by 1952, they needed a permanent home for their Executive Seminar. Walter Paepcke bought land for the institute. He had already helped buy 100 acres in the Aspen Meadows area. The very first permanent building, the Executive Seminar building, was finished in 1953.
Important Buildings
The Koch Seminar Building
When the Executive Seminar first started, it didn't have a regular meeting place. Its location changed every day. By 1952, this became a problem. Walter Paepcke realized they needed a special, permanent building. He asked Mortimer J. Adler for advice on what the building should have. Herbert Bayer, working with Fritz Benedict, designed and oversaw the building's construction.
This building was finished in 1953 and cost about $52,000 back then. It was the first permanent building for the Aspen Institute. It has two large rooms shaped like hexagons for seminars. It also includes several smaller offices.
The Doerr-Hosier Center
The Doerr-Hosier Center is named after two important donors, Gerald D. Hosier and John Doerr. This building is 22,000 square feet in size. It cost $12.5 million to build and was designed by architect Jeff Berkus. It opened on June 8, 2007. The building is very eco-friendly and earned a special award called LEED Gold certification. This means it was built using environmentally friendly methods and materials.
Inside, the center has several spaces. These include the McNulty Gathering Room, which can hold many people. There's also the Kaufman Room, the Catto Terrace Room, and the Resnick Art Gallery. You can also find the Isaacson History Room here.
A unique feature of the building is a red sandstone wall. It was designed by British sculptor Andy Goldsworthy. This special wall is made from rocks collected from different countries like China, Jordan, India, and Colorado. The sandstone wall looks like a "river." It starts outside the building's entrance, goes through a reflecting pool, flows through the McNulty Gathering Room, and then continues outside towards the Roaring Fork River.
The Greenwald Pavilion
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The Greenwald Pavilion is another important building at Aspen Meadows. It's often used for large gatherings and speeches. Many famous people, like former Secretary John Kerry, have spoken here during events like the Aspen Ideas Festival. It's a key spot for discussions and presentations.
Images for kids
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Walking along Anderson Park at the Aspen Meadows campus.
