DENVER, CO.- Punctuating the upcoming North Building project announced on December 8, 2016, the Denver Art Museum is presenting Then, Now, Next: Evolution of an Architectural Icon—an exhibition on the iconic modernist building, its history and its future. The exhibition features historical photos, original architectural sketches, building models and project renderings to tell the story of the North Building’s evolution. Then, Now, Next has taken over the Gates Family Gallery on level 2 of the Hamilton Building through Aug. 31, 2017.

“For nearly 50 years, the North Building has been a significant part of the community, and we’re excited for the upcoming project that will ensure it continues to play a prominent role,” said Christoph Heinrich, the Frederick and Jan Mayer Director of the museum. “We want to honor the building, and give our visitors an opportunity to reflect on its history and share the excitement for its future.”

The exhibition has been divided into three specific sections: Then, Now and Next.

The Then section takes visitors from the preconstruction site through build out—featuring Gio Ponti’s architectural drawings, historical photos and building model as well as other ephemera from the celebrated 1971 building opening.

The Now section features details on how the North Building has served an expanding and diversifying community since opening its doors nearly 50 years ago.

The Next section features the museum’s future plans, including renderings and an architectural model, and outline the guiding principles for the team: Stewardship of buildings and collections, offering a superior visitor experience, unifying the campus and inviting the whole community to enjoy the museum and its programs.

“By tracing the history of the North Building from its earliest development through its original construction, and then observing how it has developed into the building we experience today, this exhibition is a moment to reflect on its significance,” said Darrin Alfred, curator of architecture, design and graphics at the DAM. “Visitors can chart how the need for such a structure arose and examine how innovative a museum building it was for the late 1960s. They then can view how the new North revitalization project will celebrate Gio Ponti’s original vision for the building and be an open, welcoming destination for visitors.”

Exhibition visitors also have the opportunity to share their favorite North Building experiences through an in-gallery visitor feedback installation.