Denver Public Library: Central Library

The Central Library in Denver wears a jagged, copper-paneled facade that rises into a sharp, angular crown unlike any other building in the Civic Center. Michael Graves designed this expansion in the nineties, intentionally clashing with the neoclassical marble structures nearby. He filled the interior with vibrant, oversized columns and whimsical geometric shapes to catch sunlight. Inside, a hidden room holds the Western History collection, where you can find photographs of pioneers and mining camps that trace the city back to its earliest days.