Project Overview:
The Elks Club in Boulder, a historic and well-established community center, is seeking creative and innovative design concepts to renovate and revitalize the building for modern use while preserving its mid-century architectural style. This challenge invites architecture students, professionals, landscape designers, and contractors to collaborate and imagine new possibilities for this beloved space, both inside and out, including the selection and integration of furnishings.

Objective:
To develop a renovation proposal that seamlessly blends the original mid-century aesthetic of the Elks Club with contemporary design elements, addressing both its historical value and modern needs. The goal is to create a space that preserves its cultural heritage while ensuring it meets current functional requirements for the community and remains a vibrant, active hub for future generations. This challenge also includes proposals for the surrounding landscape and furnishings, creating a cohesive, functional, and welcoming space.

Participants:

• Design students
• Landscape designers
• Design professionals
• Contractors
• Furnishing designers
• Collaboration between all parties is encouraged.
  If you are interested in collaborating with a team, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We will do our best to connect you with the right people and facilitate the collaboration process.

Facility Details:
The main building of the Elks Club encompasses approximately 30,000 square feet and includes a variety of spaces available for renovation. The facility features an Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool and a spacious ballroom with a 3,000 square-foot maple hardwood, “spring-loaded” dance floor , offering a unique environment for social events. The lodge is located in a wooded area in North Boulder, providing a tranquil and scenic setting. Additionally, the lodge offers free on-site parking for guests and members.

Design Criteria:

• Preservation of Mid-Century Style: Concepts should respect and highlight the building’s original mid-century architectural features, such as geometric shapes, clean lines, and open, airy spaces.
• Modern Functionality: Designs should address current and future needs, including accessibility, sustainability, and multi-use spaces. Consider how the Elks Club can be adapted for contemporary functions such as community events, social gatherings, and fl exible working spaces.
• Sustainability: Proposals should integrate sustainable practices in materials, energy usage, and environmental impact where possible.
• Inclusivity and Accessibility: The renovation should consider the needs of diverse groups, making the building accessible to people with disabilities and ensuring it’s a welcoming environment for everyone.
• Feasibility: The design should be practical and achievable within reasonable budget and time constraints. Proposals should consider construction methods, material availability, and cost-effectiveness while also exploring creative and innovative solutions.
• Landscape Integration: Landscape designs should enhance the site and complement the building’s architecture. Proposals should address how the exterior spaces, including the wooded area, parking lot, poolside, and other outdoor spaces, can be transformed to create a functional and inviting environment for all visitors.
• Furnishings: The selection and integration of furnishings are an important component of the design. Participants should propose a thoughtful approach to furnishings that complements the mid-century style, enhances functionality, and contributes to the overall atmosphere of each space.

Specific Areas for Submission:
Different, specific areas of the Elks Lodge are open for design proposals. Participants may select one or more of the following areas to focus on:

• Pool Bathrooms: Renovate and modernize the poolside bathroom facilities while keeping in mind both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
• Bar Area: Reimagine the club’s bar space to enhance its social atmosphere while integrating modern design elements.
• Lounge Area: Create a welcoming and comfortable lounge area that respects the building’s mid-century charm while offering contemporary amenities and furnishings.
• Office Space: Redesign the administrative and offi ce areas to meet the needs of the lodge’s staff and functions, incorporating modern offi ce layouts, furnishings, and efficiency.
• Exterior & Landscape Design: Propose ideas for updating the building’s exterior, creating functional outdoor spaces, and integrating the surrounding landscape, making the site an inviting, cohesive environment for the community. Ideas may include improved pathways, outdoor seating, landscaping, or areas for recreation and social gatherings.
• Furnishing & Interior Design: Propose furnishing layouts, materials, and styles that respect the building’s mid-century design, while improving comfort, functionality, and aesthetics. This could include seating, tables, lighting, and decorative elements that refl ect the space’s identity.

Award Categories:

• • Best Overall Design: Awarded to the concept that best combines creativity, functionality, and respect for the building’s historical signifi cance.
  • People’s Choice Award: Voted by the community or public, this award goes to the design that resonates most with the audience in terms of vision and usability.
  • Most Feasible Renovation: Awarded to the design that best balances creativity with practical, achievable solutions in terms of budget, timeline, and construction feasibility.
  • Student Award: Recognizing emerging talent, this award honors the strongest submission by a student or student team, demonstrating innovation, thoughtful design, and clear potential for real-world impact.

Challenge Theme: Revitalizing a Historic Community Hub
The Elks Club is a beloved community gathering space with deep historical roots. How can this iconic building evolve to meet the needs of today’s society while respecting its architectural heritage? The design solutions should offer a vision for a contemporary, flexible space that will remain a central part of the community for years to come, with integrated outdoor spaces and carefully chosen furnishings that contribute to the space’s overall functionality and ambiance.

Submission Requirements: All entries will be on display for the month of September as part of Month of Modern. Please ensure your submission is presentation-ready for exhibition. Submissions must include:

• Conceptual renderings – physical or digital.
  Digital submissions must include a display method (e.g., laptop, monitor, or tablet) provided by the participant for the duration of the exhibition.
• Short narrative (500–700 words) describing the design intent, rationale, and key features
• Feasibility outline – including cost and timeline considerations
• Landscape plans (if applicable)
• Interior furnishing layouts and specifications (if applicable)
• Presentation of materials (optional) – mood boards, finishes, sample materials, etc.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Design Innovation
• Sensitivity to the Original Architecture
• Practicality and Feasibility
• Community Impact
• Sustainability
• Landscape Integration
• Furnishing Integration

Timeline:

• Challenge Start: April, 2025
• Submission Deadline: September 1 – submissions will be on display at the MOM 25 Kickoff Sept. 4
• Jury Review and Public Voting: Month of September
• Winner Announcement: Sept. 25 at MOM Wrap Party