The increasing volume and complexity of development projects at the University of Colorado at Boulder has led to a key staffing change within the Department of Facilities Management.
Bill Deno, who joined the department in 1973, is stepping down after 15 years in the dual role of campus architect and director of facilities planning to concentrate on his duties as campus architect.
Jeff Lipton, the department聮s executive director, said a new director of facilities planning would be hired to "provide dedication in meeting the increasing demand for campus planning, capital planning and facilities planning."
Lipton said he hopes the new position will be filled before the end of this year and said the reorganization reflects his belief that additional focus was necessary in the facilities planning process and the area of architectural design.
"The intent of this change is not to lessen the importance of the role of campus architect or director of facilities planning but to enhance the professional offerings of both to the campus community," he said.
"This can best be achieved by a correct mix of talent and focus that will provide improved service to both campus and external constituencies in matters of capital planning and architectural oversight."
Lipton added that the reorganization would enable greater efficiency in providing more comprehensive planning services while freeing the campus architect to spend more time on "important projects more appropriate to that position."
He said Deno would be able to concentrate on monitoring and coordinating the design phase of projects with architects, members of the administration and the University Design Review Board.
"He will also undertake the planning and design of significant and sensitive capital development projects that deserve individual attention from someone with the stature of campus architect."
Lipton said Deno had been shepherding all types of development projects on the CU-Boulder campus from initiation through to final completion, since joining the staff 26 years ago.
In that time his work and achievements have been recognized with a number of awards, the latest in 1997 when he was named Architect of the Year by the Colorado chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
That same year his work also was recognized by the CU-Boulder Alumni Association which presented him with the Robert L. Stearns Award for extraordinary achievement and service to the university.
Deno, who graduated from CU-Boulder with a bachelor of architecture degree in 1972 and completed his master of architecture the following year, is an authority on the university聮s Tuscan-influenced architecture.
In 1994 he published "Body & Soul: Architectural Style at the University of Colorado at Boulder," a book about the history and vision behind the architecture, which he believes makes the campus "a state and national architectural treasure."