Barry Rose works in the nearly lost art of architectural terra cotta and has completed the restoration of many of the region's historic buildings. Terra cotta, literally burnt earth, is a specific type of clay that when properly produced can withstand the elements for an extreemely long period. It is designed to create water run-off to protect a building, so while it takes a beating, when it is replaced, the building structure is in good repair.
     Terra cotta became almost archaic in the modern era, however, with the revival of "handmade buildings" (Rose designed and produced the columbines at Coor Field) and the coming of historic societies, it has seen a resurgence. His most recent major projectwas the Fontius Building, now the Sage Building, at 16th and Welton St., in Denver. The acclaimed terra cotta restoration of this beautiful building involved the entire first story facade, and other details, using a total of 14 tons of clay. Rose received the Ann Love Award from Historic Denver, Inc. in 2005, for his body of historic restoration work.