Boulder Modern House:
Mid-century architecture in Boulder County, Colorado
J.W. “Wes” Noaecker was born (1913) and raised in Grand Island, Nebraska. After completing high school he apprenticed with Gordon Shattuck, a local architect, to become a draftsman and architect. He earned his architect’s license in 1942, and in 1943 went to work for Safeway. Later that year he moved to Colorado, continuing his employment with Safeway, where he redesigned and updated their older stores in California, the Pacific Northwest, Montana and Wyoming.
In 1953 he changed employers, going to work for the University of Colorado in Boulder. He was made Director of the Physical Plant (Construction) in 1959 when his predecessor, Waldo Brockway, retired. In 1963 the Physical Plant merged their construction and maintenance divisions, and Wes Noaecker was made overall director of the new and enlarged department. He remained in this position until ill health forced him to retire early in 1970. He died in October 1974.
Noaecker's first work for C.U. appears to have been married student housing at Athens Court in 1957. The Nuclear Physics Laboratory on east Marine came next in 1960, with later additions; note the large cyclotron housing at the back - with massive concrete walls and a steel door made from surplus warship armor, the idea was to either to keep their own particles in or unwanted ones out. The front (north) facade, with its concrete piers, red brick and darker spandrels reminds one of the exterior of the stadium, which had been designed by Brockway and in which Noaecker had offices.
The Litman Laboratory, from 1961, is a true gem, one of the most delightful buildings in Boulder, and thus gets its own page. Later, and neighboring projects, were Research Laboratories #2 and #3, built in 1963 and 1969.
In 1953 he changed employers, going to work for the University of Colorado in Boulder. He was made Director of the Physical Plant (Construction) in 1959 when his predecessor, Waldo Brockway, retired. In 1963 the Physical Plant merged their construction and maintenance divisions, and Wes Noaecker was made overall director of the new and enlarged department. He remained in this position until ill health forced him to retire early in 1970. He died in October 1974.
Noaecker's first work for C.U. appears to have been married student housing at Athens Court in 1957. The Nuclear Physics Laboratory on east Marine came next in 1960, with later additions; note the large cyclotron housing at the back - with massive concrete walls and a steel door made from surplus warship armor, the idea was to either to keep their own particles in or unwanted ones out. The front (north) facade, with its concrete piers, red brick and darker spandrels reminds one of the exterior of the stadium, which had been designed by Brockway and in which Noaecker had offices.
The Litman Laboratory, from 1961, is a true gem, one of the most delightful buildings in Boulder, and thus gets its own page. Later, and neighboring projects, were Research Laboratories #2 and #3, built in 1963 and 1969.
The Three Birches. Arapahoe at 30th.
Rose Litman Research Laboratory
Nuclear Physics Laboratory
Research Laboratories #2 & #3
Athens Court Married Student Apts.
J.W. Noaecker (1913-1974)
