Climb on Air Force!

Polaris Hall

Cadet Chapel

HB&A led the team that designed the future USAFA Ropes Course and Climbing Wall project. Inspiration was gathered from the world-class display of buildings on the Academy’s campus including Polaris Hall and the Cadet Chapel. The long primary members of the tower’s structure are meant to complement the angles and feel of the nearby Polaris Hall, while the stacked and triangular structural supports find their inspiration from the angles throughout the Cadet Chapel.

There are two ‘classroom decks’ located on the tower. One at roughly 25’ above grade and the second at 50’ above the ground.  They serve as both entry points to the challenge course and routes as well as debrief and gathering spaces. Dynamic and smart belay systems, rappel stations, climbing surfaces, a zip line, and unique challenge course elements were incorporated into the programming to satisfy the diversity of use by course operators.

The lower level of the course creates an opportunity for team-oriented challenge elements and traditional ropes course systems while the upper level offers a personal/individual challenge using the smart belay device.

Awarded in the fall of 2019, the design was completed in the fall of 2020. Construction will commence once funding is secured over the next couple of years.

Colorado Springs Airport, before and after Modernization

The original Colorado Springs Airport terminal was completed in the mid-90s. Since then technology, airport services, security needs, and aesthetics have changed dramatically.

Our design updated the public area of the main terminal building from the tunnel entrance through baggage claim and ticketing up to the start of the security checkpoint. Upgrades included new LED lights, new and lightened interior details like white Terrazzo, new carpet, simplified columns, ceiling details, and new furniture throughout. Other important goals of the modernization were to bring the terminal into full ADA compliance and to improve way-finding for travelers.

The original building was dark with seemly-low ceilings throughout, even though the ceiling was 12’ high in some areas, large soffits containing mechanical and electrical elements made it seem as though the ceilings were much lower. The new design removed the soffits which gave the appearance of a higher ceiling, even though the ceiling was actually lowered by up to 8” in some areas.

The new LED lighting and design brightened the interior spaces of the building. Lights on the lower level and tunnel were designed to be 20%-30% brighter than lights on the main level. The brighter lights plus the new white paint help reflect natural light into the lower level of the building which in turn made the whole building seem even more spacious.

To bring the building into full ADA compliance HB&A redesigned the bathrooms with new toilet stalls, new fixtures, and accessories.

The new rental counters will be installed soon and we’ll update with more photos when they are done.

HB&A partnered with DWL Architects & Planners, Senger Design Group, Bridgers and Paxton, and Stanton Construction on the Colorado Springs Airport Modernization Project.

To view the “after” photo, click on each “before” photo below.

USAFA Cadet Fieldhouse Phase III

The completion of the design of Phase III was awarded in 2019 and HB&A has completed 35% of the design as of September 2020. Phase III focuses almost entirely on the Multi-Purpose track area of the building. Plans include replacing the old track with a new banked hydraulic one and renovating track and field team rooms, including new equipment and clothing storage areas. New additions to the Multi-Purpose Level include a sports training room and two new public restrooms. Other site improvements include exterior sidewalks, stairs and rails, xeriscaping, and upper HVAC in the basketball and Hockey areas. Finally, the existing freight elevator will be replaced with a new ADA compliant model that services all levels of the complex. Construction is expected to start in 2023. The two photos below show the existing track/Multi-purpose area of the building.

USAFA Cadet Fieldhouse Phase II

The U.S. Cadet Fieldhouse Phase II kicked off in 2017 with a 3-day onsite charrette, followed by design in 2018. Construction for Phase II is slated to begin in 2021. The two most visible changes during this phase will be upgraded glazing on the south façade that maintains the historical look-and-feel of the original building and a new entry vestibule and Ticket Office.  Other renovations in Phase II include the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms, new track locker rooms, an egress corridor on the Participant Level, and completion of the mechanical systems in the other half of the building.  See photos of some of the areas that will be updated once construction for Phase II starts in 2021.

USAFA Cadet Field House Phase I

In Phase I of the Cadet Field House HB&A renovated hockey locker rooms, team area, and coaches’ offices as well as the public restrooms on the Spectator Level. Upgrades included new LED sports lighting, upgrading the mechanical system in half of the building, relocating the Press Box from the center of the building to the east side of the building, and new flooring on the Participant Level. As of September 2020, construction for Phase I is 80% complete. 

Concurrent with the design of Phase I was the not-yet-funded or built Falcon’s Nest VIP area. Once funded and completed, it will be located between the hockey and basketball arenas on the same level as the newly constructed Press Box.  

Desert Storm Flag presented to 2005-2006 USAFA Hockey team by Lt. Col. Jim Solti.

The newly remodeled USAFA Hockey Team Locker Room

HB&A has upgraded or will be upgrading all the restrooms throughout the entire Cadet Field House.

Mechanical

Inside a mechanical room at the Cadet Field House.

Inside a mechanical room at the Cadet Field House.

Introduction to the USAFA Cadet Field House

Home of the Falcons and center of campus sports on the Air Force Academy, the Cadet Field House is a massive 277,000+ sq foot sports complex containing the Clune Arena with seating for 6,240 basketball fans, the Cadet Ice Arena that holds approximately 3,100 spectators, and finally a multi-purpose track and field area with elevated seating for 1,000.  

HB&A has worked on the Cadet Field House for more than 7 years starting with a planning charrette report in 2012 that investigated updating the entire facility and its major systems. In 2012 HB&A tackled the full design effort in support of the phasing of construction. Since the complex was built in 1968 all phases of the renovation include remediation of life safety issues, code deficiencies, accessibility improvements, expansions of the fire protection system, and upgrades to meet current Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) standards. Our work in Phases I and II has impacted roughly 65-70% of the total building. The design of Phase III is the early stages. 

During Phase II we will replace the existing storefront system on the southern facade with a more energy-efficient glazing system that meets current AT/FP standards.

The Meadows Town Center I and II

HB&A designed Meadows Town Center Buildings I and II in Castle Rock. We were the first designers in the commercial section of The Meadows which allowed us to craft some of the required design guidelines in cooperation with Castle Rock Development Company.

HB&A provided site development plans, including multiple renderings; concept floor plans; furnishings, fixtures, and equipment and assisted in the approval process with the Town of Castle Rock. HB&A also provided construction administration, responding to RFIs and providing guidance when needed.

HB&A and White Construction Group have worked together for over 10 years on the Meadows Town Center project.

The Gathering Place at the Farm

The Gathering Place is a community clubhouse in the heart of The Farm, a new master-planned community located in northeast Colorado Springs. Built on the edge of “Lake Ann” the building contains a gym with workout equipment, locker rooms, a multi-purpose community room, an outdoor swimming pool, a child watch area as well as an outdoor event area with fire pits, mood lighting, outdoor furniture and flower beds overlooking the lake and Pikes Peak.

HB&A envisioned The Gathering Place as the heart of the community, where friends and family can gather, connect, and enjoy the view. Its rustic style mimics the barn buildings previously located on the site, while large glass doors ensure constant connection between the interior functions and the idyllic surroundings. HB&A incorporated some original beams and materials from the existing barn into the design of the building.

You can see before photos of the original buildings and location here.

HB&A partnered with DHM Design and CTA Engineering on this project. — Cathy

Mosaica, a new multi-family development

The HB&A architecture team is thrilled to working with Darsey Nicklasson and DHN Planning, LLC on their next development project, Mosaica. Mosaica is a multi-family development near South Union Boulevard and Circle Drive with 223 units of one-to four-bedroom rental units in five -to six-unit “great houses”. There will also be some single-unit cottages. The Colorado Springs Business Journal recently interviewed Darsey about the Mosaica project.

Don Higginbotham

Don L. Higginbotham
1929-2020

We are sad to announce that HB&A founder Donald Lee Higginbotham passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Bentonville, Arkansas at the age of 90.   In 1971, Don started the architecture and planning firm Higginbotham and Associates, the precursor to HB&A.

Under Don’s leadership, Higginbotham and Associates worked on major architectural projects and urban planning and geospatial technology ventures around the world.  Don was a cautious risk-taker and never backed down from competition.  He would often go after jobs with his 30-person firm that only companies with thousands of employees could accomplish; crafting coalitions of specialty firms that complemented his design skills to bring in the work.  That strategy served him well over the years resulting in a worldwide reputation for quality, on-time, and below-budget projects.

In 1991, Ron Briggs joined Don as a partner and changed the company name to Higginbotham, Briggs & Associates. Don retired from an active role in the firm ten years later, leaving a legacy of strength and dedication to his clients.  After retiring, he set up shop at home to serve his friends and neighbors with architectural services on a part-time basis.

Don was charming, generous, and friendly, but he was also a tough negotiator.  He knew the value of hard work and expected his employees to follow his example of long hours and achieving desired goals.  Though he has been gone from HB&A for many years, his influence continues to drive our commitment to service, quality, and innovation.

We will miss him.

Ron Briggs straightens Don Higginbotham's tie.

New Partners

Don Higginbotham and Ron Briggs

Higginbotham, Briggs and Associates

Don Higginbotham appears, front left