Location

Physical Address

Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building 
13055 E. 17th Avenue 
Aurora, CO 80045

Mailing Address

Mail Stop F800
Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building
13055 E. 17th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045

Native design elements

The design of both the interior and exterior space celebrates the Native American belief that the 'circle' represents the dwelling place created by the Great Spirit for all people. As a result, circles play a major role in the architecture of the facility. Circular forms are represented in the interior rotunda, the exterior council ring, and the Shore Family Forum. A fragment of a circle is even used to define the overall shape of the entire building.

Since the earth-sky orientation is an important part of Native American culture, the primary public spaces are oriented in a special fashion toward the axis lines of the winter and summer solstices. The overall building form reflects similarity to a grassland butte found in this region of Colorado. The building entry, facing to the east, exposes the building's rotunda to the exterior and also aligns with the sun's solstice.

The buffalo culture is expressed in the rotunda and exterior plaza areas. The rotunda is the most dramatic space in the building and provides an interior gathering space for ceremonial activities. A fragmented tipi form is used for the rotunda and reflects the influences of these local nations in the building design. Framing the rotunda and extending through all three floors are seven Douglas Fir logs. Reminiscent of the lodge poles that support the plains tipi, they symbolize the seven teachings of our Grandfathers – love, honor, respect, courage, honesty, reciprocity, and family.

The Medicine Wheel at the center of the rotunda floor represents the four sacred directions and nations of Man – the colors of which are red, white, black, and yellow. Colorado fieldstone surrounds the Medicine Wheel. Inset around its perimeter are the blessing stones, etched with the names of key participants in the June 2000 Ground Building Ceremony that preceded construction. The rotunda skylight is also a nighttime feature emitting light while defining the building and its entry.

Exterior to the building on the eastern side is the ceremonial plaza. The plaza is enclosed by yet another circle - an arbor structure that is a reinterpretation of the council ring, forming the ceremonial space within. Its opening is also to the east, thus establishing the eastern entrance traditional to Native American dwellings. A seating area adjacent to the entry plaza expresses the concept of a broken circle, saying that indeed nothing is perfect. An exposed area of earth at the center of the exterior council ring is symbolic of the connection to the earth common to many Native American ceremonies. The native Colorado soil in this area was mixed with soil from the four corners of the United States during the Building Dedication Ceremony in September 2002.

The Shore Family Forum is expressed as a round form of stone, a kiva-like structure, on the western side of the building. An exterior deck area above the Shore Family Forum accommodates special events and exterior seating. Additionally, the building conference rooms are located in the south end of the building and enjoy views of Pikes Peak.

Native American art has been incorporated throughout the building interior and exterior. Niches and wall space for art are available both inside and outside. Currently, a collection of Native American woven baskets and historical photographs graces the exhibition space.