Charles Sink

Born 1923 May 24th

Chicago Worlds Fair 1933

High School Graduation Best Male Student 1941

Entered University of Pennsylvania 1941

Received Freshman – Sophomore Award 1943

Called up in the service by Air Aircorps 1943

Graduated 2nd Lieutenant Army Aircorps 1943

Joined Aircrew as Co-pilot B-24 1944 January

Flew 35 missions in Eight Air Force WWII 1944

Based in Victorville , CA 1945

Separated from service in Indiana.

Returned to Harvard. Received Bachelors in Architecture and Masters in Architecture for thesis.

Worked on town site of Los Alamos. 1947

Moved to Caracas, formed 1st architectural office 1948

Moved to Denver, Colorado 1950

Opened own office for practice in Architecture 1953

Hired by I.M. Pei. Moved to New York city 1954-56

Returned to Denver . Reopened own office. 1960

MY brief bio of highlights:

Born Valparaiso Indiana 1923.

On a visit to 1933 Worlds fair with his brother Mark was an inspiration to become a modernist, also seeing work by László Mology-Nagy visiting Frank Loyd Wright's residences with his brother Mark. (His Brother Mark Sink’s became a contemporary lighting designer)

World War 2 hero, flew over 35 missions co-pilot and pilot of B24 bomber with the Eighth Air Force. Flew over Omaha Beach bombed targets on D-day and many missions after. One mission of note destroyed Rommels powerful tank divisions at Saint-Lo opening the door to the liberation of France and on into Germany.

1945 Received his Masters from Harvard University studying under Walter Gropius. Classmates and close friend with IM Pei. (Later to work Pei at S.O.M. with projects in NYC and in Denver with the Hilton Hotel and May D&F 1950s hyperbolic paraboloid ( Then called Zeckendorf Plaza) , that won a AIA national award. (Recently torn down). ( see Westword http://www.westword.com/issues/2005-11-10/culture/art.html )

“Court House Square (Zekendorf Plaza) is the first major development in any American city to combine a hotel, department store, parking and public space. An innovative application of new materials, structural methods and modernist design in nineteenth-century Denver, it was the second of three projects executed by the firm in a coordinated effort to develop the modern city core.

The block-long hotel is a pioneering venture in precast concrete. It incorporates aggregate excavated from the site in deep Mo-Sai grillwork that changes pattern with interior spaces, shading not only guestrooms but also office and retail — spaces not typically associated with hotels in the late 1950s. The red-brown panels complement neighboring buildings and distant mountains.”

http://www.pcfandp.com/a/p/5202/s.html

Influenced greatly by the International Style of design by timeless master Architects Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier.

1950- 2006. Over 250 modernist projects in the Denver and Colorado Region.

Among countless awards he received the coveted National AIA honorary fellow award.

My Favorite projects (Mark Sink)

Built his personal residence himself 1000 E Stanford 1950 (still standing)

Built two weekend houses on Aspen Mountain for 10 thousand dollars 1963. (One still standing). Written up in the NY Times with great praise.

Many other residences in Aspen throughout the 1960s.

In the 1960s early 70s projects moved on to the early founding development of Vail in a ranchers field. (1962). He designed the icon of the town the Clock Tower and many residences in the township. Designed Adjacent Lions Head Center and condominiums.

Moved on to Copper Mt and its founding. He designed the base restrant lodge and summit lodge/ restaurant. Two wonderful standout modernist structures Summit House and Summit House East.

And on down to Key Stone ski area many public and structures there.

Many notable Denver buildings:

A few of my favorites,

His personal residence : the Mansfield house was built on a small corner lot. It has very few exterior windows. (the interior dwelling enclosed by walls) Yet glass walls on the inside , closed in court yards and gardens and swimming pool creating a very open light interior with complete privacy. This was very controversial in the neighborhood (with upset neighbors) and got very little recognition locally but the house was recognized and awarded internationally and published and praised in the leading Italian architectural magazine Domus. “ The Continuous Wall “ (February 1974 issue 24).

1960s One Cheeseman is one of his hallmark projects. The building today has become one of the most sought after residences for the super wealthy.

One common theme that stands out with dad’s project is his sensitivity to Colorado light. Many of his projects have in set windows thus shading from direct light in the summer and then allow direct light in the winter. Also ahead of it’s time progressive uses of passive solar collectors and thermo-coupling.

McNichols Sports arena was true form follows function.The construction was finished early and came in under budget. (A rare feat) It was recognized worldwide and Mayors from around the county flew in to see the project. Since then the firm has done over 40 sports facilities all over the country and Canada including a remodel of the famous Boston Gardens.

RTD bus matiance facility. Notable because of the use of solar collectors and thermo coupling from deep in the ground to heat the building.

Arapaho Tennis club Englewood.

1900 Grant office building.

1999 Lincoln office building.

Dakota Hill Condominiums

Also see

http://www.sinkcombs.com/profile/firm.html

Today he is happily retired and continues to keep himself busy with an endless stream of personal design projects. He is recently starting plains for a new home in Denver.

Project Name & Location	Date
Andrews Black Residence 4700 S. Dahlia Street Arapahoe County	1950
Sink Residence 1000 E. Stanford Avenue Englewood, CO	1953
Sink Weekend House Aspen, CO	1960
Moore Townhouses Aspen, CO	1957
Beck Residence 4701 S. University Blvd. Denver, CO	1958
Thurston Residence Lookout Mountain Golden, CO	1960
Rea Residence Addition Denver, CO	1960
Hazen Laboratory Arvada, CO	1961
Voiland Residence Lakewood, CO	1963
El Paso Club Builiding Colorado Springs, CO (Unbuilt)	1965
Little Residence Parker, CO (Unbuilt)	1962
Colorado Game, Fish & Parks Dept. Headquarters Remodeling	1964
Mesa College Library Grand Junction, CO	1964
Grey Residence Vail, CO	1964
Ken Moore Residence Aspen, CO	1965
R. Matsch Residence, 4950 s. Birch Arapahoe County	1965
Arapahoe Tennis Club Arapahoe, CO	1964
Tom Stein Residence Brekenridge, CO (Unbuilt)	1962
Republic National Bank Englewood, CO	1966
K. Anderson Residence Englewood, CO	1965
H.B. Duke Residence Vail, CO	1966
R.C. Black Residence Tabernash, CO	1967
M. Brooks Residence Remodeling Cherry Hills Village, CO	1967
J. Scott Prefab Vacation House	1965
Crocket Residence Vail, CO (Unbuilt)	1970
One Cheesman Place Apartments Denver, CO	1968
1st Commercial Building Cherry Creek	1968
S. Knowlton Residence Remodeling Englewood, CO	1968
Van Home Residence Cherry Hils, CO	1963
Rocky Mountain Dental Products (Unbuilt)	1965
University of Colorado Architectural School Remodel	1967
Unimark International Campbell's Soup (Unbuilt)	1969
Unimark International BMC Showroom, NY (Unbuilt)	1969
Unimark International Standard Oil Station (Unbuilt)	1969
Unimark International Great Western United Office Denver, CO	1970
Unimark International Jane Dobbins Pies Pasadena, CA	1968
H. Willett Residence Vail, CO	1970
Breeden Mnt. Condominium (Unbuilt)	1971
Reliable Parking Garage 1735 Stout Denver, CO	1970
Cherry Creek Office Building 3003 E. 3rd Denver, CO	1969
Health Facilites Building Denver, CO	1970
Cheesman 2	1970
Vail/Lions head Centre Vail, CO	1969
McBride Vail Clock Tower Building Vail, CO	1965
Parks Restaurant & Gondola Ski Shop Vail, CO	1969
Whitesel Residence 4791 Tule Lake Drive Bel Mar South Lakewood, CO	1970
Terrace house Condominiums Snowmass, CO	1970
Aycrigg Residence 4950 So. El Camino Drive Littleton Arapahoe County	1970
Republic Nationa Bank Remote Facility	1969
Daniel Hoffman Residence Greenwood Village, CO	1971
South Williamette Lane
McNichols Sports Arena Denver, CO	1974
Clark Residence (Unbuilt)	1971
Park Condominiums Vail
Republic Bank Auto Teller
Charles Sink Residence 4300 E. Mansfield Avenue Cherry Hills, CO	1972
Copper Mountain Restaurant	1971
Copper Mountain Day Center	1971
Summit House Condominium Copper Mountain	1972
Medical Office Building and Parking Garage Denver, CO	1972
Holme Roberts & Owen Remodel Denver, CO	1972
Summit House East Copper Mountain, CO	1972
University of Colorado Colorado Springs, CO	1974
John Kelly Residence Remodel Denver, CO	1974
One Cheeman Place Apartment Building Denver, CO	1968
Beaver's Condominium Winter Park Beaver Village	1975
Mile High Stadium Expansion Denver, CO	1975
Skyland Park Pool Remodel Denver, CO	1975
RTD Platte Bus Maintenance Facility 31st and Ringsby court Denver, CO	1975
Auraria Science Building Denver, CO	1975
St. Mary's Parish Project 6th & Grant Denver, CO	1981
Ted Strauss Tennis Court	1976
Winnipeg Sports Arena	1977
Lakewood City Hall competition	1977
GEC, RTD proposal	1977
RTD Alameda Bus Maintenance Facilty Remodel	1977
Mrs. Reneau Remodeling	1977
Corbin Retail Store Evergreen, CO	1977
Caswell Silver Residence N.E. Corner Ellsworth and Dahilia Denver, CO	1977
Denver Building Department Remodel 3800 York Street	1977
Denver Federal Center Remodel Building 40	1978
Dakota Hill Project Grape Street and Dakota Ave	1978
Gunnison County Courshouse	1978
Goemex SOCO Plaza Denver, CO	1978
Robt. Knickrehm Residence Remodel Denver, CO	1978
The Ridges (Don Fleisher) Grand Junction, CO	1978
Entrada Housing (Don Fleisher) Grand Junction, CO	1978
Geo. Shaw Remodel	1985
Xerox Inverness Office Building	1978
Mountain States Employers Council	1978
UNLV Sports Arena Las Vegas, NV	1978
Condominium Apartments Fort Collins, CO	1979
Dr. Henry Swan Residence Remodel	1979
Denver Coliseum Expansion Study	1979
Mountain States World trade Center (Unbuilt)	1979
Summerville Housing (Don Fleisher) Grand Junction, CO	1979
Paris Coliseum (Unimark) (Unbuilt)	1979
Motorola Building Inverness, CO	1979
Hamilton Trade Centre/Sports Arena Ontario	1982
Building Bulk Analysis 19th & Broadway	1982
183 Inverness Drive	1980
Aircoa Building Proposal	1980
De La Lama Residence Vail, CO	1981
LinPro Office Building Study	1980
The Ridges Housing (Don Fleisher) Grand Junction, CO	1980
Mohgrabi 16th & Sheridan	1980
Bruce Alexander Residence	1981
Sink Residence 1050 S. Franklin Street Denver, CO	1986
Sink Apartment One Cheeseman Place Denver, CO	1992
Robert Voiland 1775 Union Street Lakewood
Co.

Charles Sink Denver Public Library info:

CHARLES S. SINK ARCHITECTURE RECORDS 

INTRODUCTION 

For location information, refer to the Denver Public Library Catalog. 

INTRODUCTION 

PROVENANCE: 

Charles Sink donated the majority of the records October 30, 1991. 

ACCESS: 

The collection is open for research. Floor plans of privately owned 

buildings may not be copied without the written consent of the 

building  owner. 

OWNERSHIP: 

Literary rights and copyrights, as appropriate, have been assigned to 

the Denver Public Library. 

PUBLICATION RIGHTS: 

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from 

material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate 

librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on 

behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. 

It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright 

holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does 

not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or 

publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, 

or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis. 

PREFERRED CITATION: 

[Identification of item], Charles S. Sink Architecture Records, 

WH1192, 

Western History Collection, The Denver Public Library. 

SIZE: 

Number of boxes: 3  Number of tubes: 37  Oversize boxes: 2 Oversize folio: 1 

LOCATION:  WH1192 

PROCESSED BY: Charles Sink  /Ellen Zazzarino /Shane Trost /Chris Basore Juanita Carter /Jan Simmons /May 1999 

REVISED AND ENCODED BY: Claudia Jensen /March, 2006 

PROJECT MANAGER: Ellen Zazzarino 

>>BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE 

Charles Sink has been a major design influence in the Western United States for more than 25 years. He received his Bachelor and Master 

Degrees in architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He 

moved to Denver in 1950 and was the Denver Associate to I. M. Pei from 

1956-1960. Following his association with I. M. Pei, he established 

the  office of Charles S. Sink in 1962. His firm was awarded commissions 

for  high rise condominiums, financial institutions, office complexes, and 

university buildings. 

In 1984, Charles Sink received the prestigious honor of the Architect 

of the Year Award from the Colorado Chapter of the American Institute 

of Architects for his outstanding achievements in design. He was named 

a Fellow of the AIA for his contributions to the profession of 

architecture in 1978. Mr. Sink was the president of the Colorado 

Chapter of the AIA in 1972 and Chairman of the Western Mountain Region 

AIA Annual Conference in 1979. 

Charles Sink became involved in many civic activities including 

Chairman of the Denver Art Commission from 1968-1983; member of the 

design committee of the Denver Technological Center, 1980-1983; and 

member of the Commission on Cultural Affairs for the City and County 

of Denver, 1983-1985. He has been involved in educational activities 

including Co-Chairman for the Cherry Creek High School Campus Planning 

Committee and was the guest design critic at the University of Colorado 

from 1966-1967. Mr. Sink has devoted much of his career to the design of major sports facilities and contributed his expertise to the success of more than 24 stadiums and arenas. His designs have been acclaimed nationally and 

internationally by a variety of publications and organizations. 

Projects included McNichols Sports Arena, Winnipeg Sports Arena, San 

Jose Sports Arena, Colorado State University Recreation Center and One 

Cheesman Place. 

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE 

The architectural drawings were donated in boxes and tubes labeled 

with the project names. In each project tube the drawings are arranged in 

chronological order starting with the preliminary drawings and 

concluding with the working or construction drawings. The project 

documents are organized by the same method as the drawings in 

alphabetical order. The documents in file folders correspond to the 

original order in which they were received. 

SEPERATED MATERIAL 

Photographs transferred to Western History Photograph Collection. They 

are arranged by project in alphabetical order and document the progress 

of the projects and completed buildings. The photographs consists 

mostly of color photographs and negatives although there are some 

projects documented in black and white. 

SERIES 1 PROJECT FILES AND OFFICE DOCUMENTS BOX 1-3 1959-1994 

The documents are organized alphabetically by project and are in the 

same order as the drawings. Materials in the series include 

correspondence, proposals, invoices, sketches, specifications, notes, 

newspaper clippings and appointment books. 

SERIES 2 ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS TUBE 1-37 1958-1978 

The series includes architectural drawings arranged in chronological 

order and organized by project. There are thirty-seven tubes in the 

collection. 

SERIES 3 OVERSIZE OVBOX 1-2, OVFOLIO 1 1945-1989 

The series includes architectural drawings, model, and college project. 

SUBJECT ACCESS 

Sink, Charles S. -- Archives. 

Architects -- Colorado. 

Arenas -- Colorado -- Denver -- Designs and plans. 

Arenas -- California -- San Jose -- Designs and plans 

>Architecture, Domestic -- Colorado -- Designs and plans. 

Worlld War 2, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American. 

War stories: the 1944 journals of Charles S. Sink. 

CONTAINER LIST 

SERIES 1 PROJECT FILES 

SERIES 2 ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING - COMMERCIAL PROJECTS 

SERIES 2 ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING - RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS 

SERIES 3 OVERSIZE