Mesa Lab Architecture

A model of the Mesa Lab and the land around it.

How did I.M. Pei come up with his vision for the Mesa Lab? Why was this particular location selected? Enjoy the mountain view while you learn the answers to these questions about the architecture of the Mesa Lab and more!

Featured Topics

  • The Mesa Lab was designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei and was completed in 1966.
  • I.M. Pei drew inspiration from various architectural designs, including Mesa Verde. The building materials were sourced from locally quarried stone in Lyons, Colorado.
  • The location of the Mesa Lab was heavily debated and required voters to approve the expansion of Boulder’s open space law.

Interactives

  • Touch the striated exterior walls of the Mesa Lab and a bush hammer replica that was used to make the unique pattern. 
  • Find the similarities and differences between how Mesa Lab looks today compared to I.M. Pei’s personal scale model.

The north wall of the architecture exhibit with a photo of Walter Orr Roberts and I.M. Pei on the right side. There is a large window towards the flatirons on the left side.