Renowned architect Jeanne Gang will present how design and nature align in her firm’s Populus Hotel project

DENVER – The Denver Art Museum (DAM) will present one of its most anticipated annual fundraisers, Luncheon by Design, on May 9, 2024.

Since its inception in 2009, Luncheon by Design has been a not-to-be-missed annual gathering of Denver’s design and creative community, presenting renowned speakers from the fields of architecture, interiors, fashion and design. This year’s event will explore the integration of design and nature, in celebration and support of the upcoming exhibition Biophilia: Nature Reimagined.

The inspired presentation features acclaimed architect Jeanne Gang, founding partner of international architecture and urban design practice Studio Gang. Gang will share an array of compelling projects around the world – and now in Denver – that underscore how she uses design to strengthen connections between people, communities, and nature.

Studio Gang (studiogang.com) is headquartered in Chicago with offices in New York, San Francisco and Paris. The firm’s highly anticipated projects include Populus, a hotel just steps from the Denver Art Museum. Its distinctive window shapes are informed by the characteristic patterns found on Aspen trees (Populus tremuloides), a widely recognizable symbol of Colorado’s natural splendor. In addition, Studio Gang was recently selected to lead the Phase 1 Implementation of Civic Center Next 100, a concept plan for Civic Center Park’s next century. Phase 1 will include improvements to the Greek Theater and Central Promenade, re-establishing an inclusive, innovative space for community in the heart of the city.

“We’re delighted to have Jeanne Gang at this important moment for Denver’s Civic Center Park and the Golden Triangle neighborhood, as the studio’s work on this project and the Populus Hotel is a natural fit with the museum’s presentation of Biophilia,” said Christoph Heinrich, Frederick and Jan Mayer Director of the DAM. “The designs and elements of Biophilia reflect on our innate bonds with nature through inspired works of architecture, art and design that evoke the structures and phenomena found in the natural world.”

Funds from Luncheon by Design support Biophilia: Nature Reimagined, which opens at the DAM May 5. Biophilia brings together more than 70 imaginative works, including architectural models and photographs, objects, fashion, digital installations and immersive art experiences that collectively highlight the transformative power of nature. Biophilia will be on view from May 5 through August 11, 2024, in the museum’s Anschutz and Martin & McCormick galleries on level 2 of the Hamilton Building and is included in general admission.

“This multi-sensory exhibition explores humanity’s instinctive desire to connect with the natural world through architecture, art, and design,” said Darrin Alfred, Curator of Architecture & Design for the DAM. “Iris van Herpen, Studio Gang, teamLab, Joris Laarman, and DRIFT are among the trailblazing designers and artists featured in Biophilia.”

Luncheon by Design begins with a networking reception in Sturm Grand Pavilion at 11:30AM, followed by a seated lunch at noon. The program includes an introduction by Darrin Alfred, Curator of Architecture and Design. The keynote presentation will conclude by 1:30PM.

Following the program, attendees are invited to meet Jeanne Gang while taking in the latest iteration of the Ellen Bruss Design Studio: an in-depth exploration into the creative process behind Populus that features sketches, renderings, models, and a scale mockup of the hotel’s inventive window design. Attendees are also encouraged to view Biophilia in its opening week (luncheon tickets include all-day access to the museum). Gang’s forthcoming book, The Art of Architectural Grafting, will be available for onsite purchase and signing.

Other hallmark examples of Studio Gang’s work include the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at the American Museum of Natural History (New York) and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (Little Rock), which demonstrate how design can learn from nature to create inspiring places for people to gather and learn.

Luncheon by Design is co-chaired by Liz Richards, Art Ellsworth and Marvin Wilkinson, and supported by an enthusiastic committee. The event is co-presented by Amanda J. Precourt and John Brooks, Inc. Additional support for this signature event includes media partner Modern in Denver.

Table sponsorships and VIP tickets are available now. Individual tickets will go on sale April 1. Please contact Violet Mantell with questions and sponsorship inquiries at [email protected].

Planning Your Visit

The most up-to-date information on planning a visit to the Denver Art Museum can be found online under the Plan Your Visit tab. Use this page t find details on ticket pricing, public transit options and access information. General admission for museum members is free every day. Youth aged 18 and under receive free general admission everyday thanks to the museum’s Free for Kids program. Free for Kids also underwrites free admission for school and youth group visits.