Narrative

The Polytechnic campus was originally an old airbase converted into part of ASU about 20 years ago. The site is adjacent to Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport and several schools for aviation and aerospace studies.

The inspiration for the exterior of the new student union derived from looking at the surrounding airplane hangars and finding a way to create one that was suitable to be the new campus hot-spot for students and faculty. The goal was to design a building that will breathe new life into the campus and attract prospective students to choose it as their main campus.

The Poly campus is a desert arboretum that showcases much of Arizona’s finest flora and offers students unique opportunities to learn about plants in arid climates. The central courtyard was designed with various planters and a green-wall to house date palms or other plant varieties for agricultural research and enjoyment for all other users.