Tsuru Update: Denver Site Visit

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The Ralph L Carr Judicial Center designed by Fentress Architects nears completion.

Our public projects always involve an element of collaboration, and Ene and I have learned that it’s a good idea to get everyone together in one place as a project nears completion and timing and coordination become critical. No matter how sophisticated the communications technology, nothing compares to simply shaking hands and looking each other in the eye. Our efforts were well rewarded when we met with the key stakeholders on site at the nearly complete Ralph L Carr Judicial Center in Denver yesterday to discuss timing and strategy for installing our Tsuru sculpture in the building’s West-facing courtyard. We were reassured by the level of professionalism and congeniality of our esteemed crew, and are honored to be working with Denver’s very best on a project designed by the legendary Fentress Architects.

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Ene reviews plans with the key stakeholders in the courtyard where Tsuru is to be sited.

Our Tsuru project features a cast bronze sculpture depicting a crane soaring over a 9′ diameter, domed mound of earth planted with native grasses. We designed four stone benches surrounding the mound at ninety degree intervals, to be fabricated of granite salvaged from the demolished Justice Center that formerly occupied the site. After the meeting adjourned, we drove with Scott Davis of Rock & Company to scope out the stone to be used in making the benches. Rock & Company will be fabricating the benches by laminating the stone slabs and cutting the contours with their giant CNC saw. Scott took some extra time to treat us to a tour of their facilities just outside of Denver, which already has us thinking about future projects.

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Ene and Scott Davis survey salvaged slabs of granite.

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Ene poses by the giant CNC stone saw at Rock & Company in Brighton, Colorado.

To follow the progress of our Tsuru Project, please click here and scroll down.