key concepts and guiding principles
1. Celebration of the Sonoran Desert and a recognition of
4. Engagement of the local arts community to assist in
the inherent value of existing natural and cultural assets of the
the development of the town site through the process of Armature as
community.
conceived by Herb Greene. The concept of Armature proposes an on-going collaboration between architects, artists, developers,
2. Demonstration of a model for sustainable desert communities
through
the
implementation
of
Green
facilitators, crafts-persons and people of all ages in a process which allows citizens to take part in building and ornamenting their cities and neighborhoods.2
infrastructure constructed features that use living, natural systems to provide environmental services such as capturing, cleaning and infiltrating stormwater; creating wildlife habitat; shading and cooling streets and buildings; and calming traffic- and the encouragement of smart site development practices such as the reduction of pavement, passive water harvesting, the use of recycled content and locally available materials for site improvements and
5. Encouragement of economic development and downtown revitalization
through the improvement of
existing commercial space, creation of dynamic public space and the continued evolution of a unique retreat center and arts community, all connected with beautiful streetscapes.
the preservation of bio-diversity through the use of endemic
6. Creation of meaningful spaces that encourage
landscape.
3. Innovative adaptive re-use of existing historic buildings
community
and evoke the positive memories of a diverse
cultural community by healing wounds and erasing dividing lines.
and spaces.
6A
6B
7A
7B 53