Best Overall Design: Arizona State University College of Nursing and Health Innovation Phase 2, Phoenix
by Jonathan McGaha | June 30, 2010 12:00 am
In order for the form of a building to be a success, it must effectively blend a number of different influences-the surrounding environment, the utility of the structure, the activities it may house, the materials used and the style of the architect. On the following pages, we present the winners of the 2010 Metal Architecture Design Awards, and each project is truly successful in marrying these often disparate parts. We gathered more than 100 submissions and each were judged by our editorial advisory board on the relevant criteria for our 10 categories. This year’s winners represent the best in the architectural use of metal. Note: some of these were completed further out than just the year.
Elegant Icon: Arizona State nursing facility combines copper and a unique design to create urban eye candy
Arizona State University and its downtown Phoenix campus are home to one of the largest nursing programs in the United States. The $30 million,84,000-square-foot (7,804-m2) College of Nursing and Health Innovation Phase 2 expansion is a place of study, teaching, learning and healing that was a fast-track, budget-driven, design-build project brought to life in less than 18 months.
This steel-framed building includes 36,776 square feet (3,416 m2) of Unaclad Architectural Grade Sheet Copper from Firestone Metal Products, Anoka, Minn., creating an iconic copper skin combined with a high performance glass curtainwall on the north and a translucent glass lantern feature, wrapping an exterior stair. The copper skin utilizes three different profiles in a randomly repeating pattern to create texture and a play of light and shadow. These same panels are perforated, providing air movement and shading at the exterior stairs and balconies. The result is an articulated copper box that coalesces urban, programmatic and budgetary requirements.
The design by Phoenix-based SmithGroup delicately balances the dreams of a three-pronged client structure. As the owner, the city of Phoenix required an urban building that would create shade and add to the architectural character of its evolving downtown core. The university required an elegant icon on a tight budget. The College of Nursing and Health Innovation had needs for expansion and brand identity for its high-profile college. All goals were met and packaged into an elegant and iconic urban building.
The design team was seeking a sustainable, affordable material that could offer an appropriate aesthetic identity for the Arizona State University downtown campus. An additional preference was for a material that would weather beautifully and naturally in our arid desert climate. Not only is copper a material that is a significant part of Arizona’s history and economy (Arizona has led copper production nationally for the last century), it allowed the design team a great deal of flexibility in terms of panel design. This led to a highly articulated copper envelope that complemented other campus architecture while creating a unique identity for this campus gateway building.
“I think we created a really authentically ‘Arizona’ building that is uniquely calibrated for its place in the desert,” said Mark Kranz, AIA, design principal, SmithGroup. “At the same time, the project makes some major urban contributions in terms of shade, transparency and activating the street for ASU’s new downtown campus.”
It is estimated that 80 percent of the copper that has ever been mined is still in use today because of its great recyclability. Inherent in its recyclability, copper is very sustainable. This building is in the Copper Square Area of downtown and plays a prominent role in both its downtown location and its location as the campus gateway; therefore, copper was chosen as a showcase material for its color, durability, sustainability and importance to the state of Arizona.
Arizona State University College of Nursing and Health Innovation Phase 2, Phoenix
Completed: September 2009
Total square footage: 84,000 square feet
Building owner: City of Phoenix
Architect: SmithGroup, Phoenix, www.smithgroup.com
General contractor: DPR Construction Inc., Phoenix
Metal installer: Kovach Inc., Chandler, Ariz.
Copper wall panels: Firestone Metal Products, Anoka, Minn., www.unaclad.com
Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/projects/best-overall-design-arizona-state-university-college-of-nursing-and-health-innovation-phase-2-phoenix/