The site itself presented significant challenges. Donated by the Denver-based developer Mark Falcone (who will shortly move into his new residence directly adjacent to MCA, and also designed by Adjaye), the site is in a tight urban context. “This was an incredibly tight sight—we have neighbors right up on the site,” says Dale Heter, Mortenson’s director of operations for the Denver office and the construction executive for MCA.

“Working on a small-scale building on a curb-to-curb site makes construction logistically difficult. We were always really careful about noise-abatement issues and never worked early mornings or late evenings. We had to be really systematic about coordinating the fire lane and managing our equipment and waste.” But the neighbors were forgiving. “The neighborhood is fantastic,” says [MCA deputy director] John Grant, adding that “many Central Platte Valley residents are involved in some way with the museum, and everyone’s been waiting for the organization to get down here.”