While other military academies like West Point and the United States Naval Academy were constructed with more traditional designs, the design of the Air Force Academy reflects a unique and modern approach to military facility construction. The Cadet Area was designed by international architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, who designed the World Trade Center, among many other notable buildings. The design of the Cadet Area was intended to symbolize the modernity of aviation through the use of aluminum, steel and glass.

The most iconic element of the Cadet Area is the Chapel, which was inspired by French and Italian churches. Set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the Chapel’s 17 spires have become a landmark of the Academy. But perhaps the most important aspect of the building is its inclusiveness of multiple religious sects. The building was designed to include distinct areas of worship for different faiths, and in recent years, it has been expanded to include dedicated Muslim and Buddhist worship spaces.

The construction of the buildings in the Cadet Area sparked national debate in Congress, professional journals and popular media during the Cold War, and the Cadet Area is considered  one of the best examples of Modern architecture commissioned by a federal agency during the post-World War II era.

The Cadet Area has been altered very little  since its completion in 1968, still representing its significance in modern architecture and and today, it stands as a salute to our advancement of military architecture  that continues to develop and evolve with the fluidity of time.

To read more about the Cadet Area, visit http://www.historycolorado.org/blogs, and to learn more about Colorado’s historic places, visit historycolorado.org.

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History Colorado's mission is to inspire generations to find wonder and meaning in our past and to engage in creating a better Colorado. We serve as the state's memory, preserving the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through our museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections, and outreach to Colorado communities. Find History Colorado on all major social media platforms. Visit HistoryColorado.org or call (303) HISTORY for more information.