All work produced by Unit 14 Cover design by Charlie Harris
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/architecture
Copyright 2025 The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL All rights reserved.
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adam.j.lynes@gmail.com
@aj_lynes
Arizona, USA
In the South-West of America Native tribes are reclaiming their land and demanding a seat at the table. After decades of legal battles over land and water rights, the desert state tribes are growing in strength. With the dangers of climate change increasing, water has become more valuable than money. In 2026, the quantified distribution of the Colorado River Basin will renew, with this the tribes are uniting in a battle for respect and economic security. Water is sacred to the native population, socially and spiritually. Ongoing settlements, some with poor negotiations, have secured the tribes rights to 25% of the river basin, equivalent to 662,402 acre-feet per year. The tribes are demanding the authority to lease unused rights to off-reservations users, which is believed to produce 1.6 billion dollars a year. The CRIT HQ is located at the entrance to the Navajo nation in Arizona who have been forefront in the ongoing negotiations. It provides facilities for economic development as intended by the inter-tribal council and legal practices. A place for the independent tribes to come together for their common cause, make use of the new infrastructure, harvest water and pressure authorities as the tables have turned.
The initial stages of the project formed an investigation into stability systems, specifically buttressing and bundling. Considering the principles of arranging shear walls and crafting the interstitial space. Which developed into a language for creating a monument of power for the Colorado River Tribes in their new era of economic prosperity.
A structural investigation into stability systems. Exploring the principles of buttressing and bundling to develop a criteria for organising shear walls.
Initial study of the
Cathedral. A vault structure that stands forefront in precedent for height systematics.
MEDIEVAL CATHEDRAL ASSEMBLY
A
tas-de-charge
Lower blocks are carved from one block to provide rigidity where the geometry of the horizontal and transverse rib cross. This progresses to the top drums which have faces perpendicular to the arch curvature. The arch extends as voussiors with radial joins.
Lashing scheme for the lagging unit
Assemblage of diagonal centring frames using pins and blocks
Groin false-work of the diagonal rib
Crossover of centring frames above the tas-de-charge
Tas-de-charge
A close up of the tas-de-charge - the point of equilibrium at which loads are transferred.
Exchanging between internal ribs and external buttress.
The Medieval Buttress performs similarly to the modern day Counter-foot. It is key to preventing overturning.
Masonry has its limits and
to address the fundamental load paths between interior and exterior structure which allow the side walls of the cathedral to reach a greater height without intermittent internal columns.
Close up of the tas-de-charge
The greater the pinnacle, the smaller the buttress and pier. The Increased vertical weight created more significant compression.
In some cases the buttress is further stabilised by the bundling of smaller side
The use of side vaults, form the
This project shall focus on the principles of buttressing as a ‘height active’ technique. This page highlights the further stability provided by pinnacle and addition of side buttresses.
External flying buttress were added to the posts, allowing the tall central landern to stand. They were later removed due to the surrounding supporting structure.
The timber posts are first erected, then the timber ribs which extrude from the same pier capital as the masonry arch.
At the time arches timber structures provided no structural benefit and were to only fit with the vault appearance.
TIMBER BUTTRESS AND VAULT
A study of
BUNDLED ARRANGEMENT
A concept drawing that considers the stacking and bundling of multiple timber vault structures to achieve a greater heights.
A study by Harran University showed that the stepped rectangular buttress has similar shear resistance to the triangular, more than a single rectangular.
Key examples of ‘height active’ bundled structural systems identified by Heino Engel
Axis-symmetrically stepped transition
Skewed one-side transition
Stepped setback above triangle base
Two-face stepped transition
An introduction to bundled tube structures. Organising volumes to best resist wind loads and overturning.
By bundling the tubes together it increases their stiffness against bending to sheer lag.
Capable of withstanding strong winds and seismic activity
The gravity load is distributed through the belt truss at each step in the bundle.
The tower takes the from of nine vertical steel tubes bundled together.
Reference to the Willis Tower in Chicago. With over 100 floors this simple bundled arrangement works efficiently.
The hexagonal concrete core is reinforced by steel. Both helping to reduce torsion from the wind.
The tube structure varies in height asymmetrically to avoid vortex shedding.
The buttress extend in three directions with a stepped cuboid design.
A series of cross walls and columns extend from the main buttress walls for increased stability.
0m 50m
https://dev.earth-auroville.com/termitewonders/
https://www.needpix.com/photo/871906/ https://stock.adobe.com/images/termitemounds-at-dawn-northern-territoryaustralia/144478923
Reference to the termite hill, a naturally occurring bundled tube structure made of earth that can reach impressive heights.
The following chapter explores the principles of buttressing as established by the prior precedent. Developing fragments that look at the organisational system of bundling and buttressing.
INTERPRETING THE TERMITE HILL
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTjh3jVtRsUrzUO39yNNIYzTPTrjI8d5lZU_A&s
Hugh Ferris Drawings - The set back building
https://lynceans.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2_FLW_model-699x1024-1.jpg
1 Mile High Tower
THE METROPOLIS OF TOMORROW
to key works that look at the art of shear wall, bundled structures in creating theatrical and powerful spaces.
St Thomas Church, 5th Avenue
SUB-STRUCTURE
INITIAL WALL STRATEGY
MULTIPLE PEAKS
Shear walls are used to resist lateral loads but will overturn on their own.
To achieve a greater height of shear walls - an outrigger system must be used. The floors between the walls distribute the lateral load. The outrigger system increases tension, creating more rigidity to prevent displacement.
Shear walls must have height to width ratio 2:1 to 3.5:1 if unsupported
If concrete, reinforcement steels are used to increase tension.
A focus on shear walls. Outlining key stability systems used to achieve greater heights. SHEAR WALL PRINCIPLES
A common footing for parallel shear walls is a cantilever footing, consisting of strip footings and tie beam.
TIMBER FRAMING
Research
FORM REPLICATION
Cross-walls
Mirrored walls
Wide circular
Circular
Image
Vertical sheer walls
SALK INSTITUTE
Breakdown of the panel system used to enclose space between shear walls.
PARALLEL FORM
Inspired by the Salk Institute, this fragment looks at the parallel form. Much like cathedrals, using buttressing to support the void between.
OCCUPATION
The end of this chapter starts to question the spatial qualities of shear walls as the project begins to consider context.
CONTEXT + BRIEF
In the South-West of America Native tribes are reclaiming their land and demanding a seat at the table. After decades of legal battles over land and water rights, the desert state tribes are growing in strength. In 2026, the quantified distribution of the Colorado River Basin will renew, with this the tribes are uniting in a battle for respect and economic security. Tribes have secured rights to 25% of the river basin, equivalent to 662,402 acre-feet per year. The tribes are demanding the authority to lease unused rights to off-reservations users, which is believed to produce 1.6 billion dollars a year. This chapter dives into the program and context requirements for a CRIT HQ.
Native American land has reduced greatly since the 1700’s. The Dawes Act 1887 allowed the Government to divide Native American Land and redistribute it - In aim to eradicate their culture and form an integrated society.
It was eventually overturned in 1934 by the Indian Reorganization Act 1934 and tribal councils established. However, motivation was lost during WWII.
In 2010, the Cobell Settlement was created where you can buy back land from people willing to sell.
To the right, a map showing land under Federal Authority.
Mapping the native population across America, declining from 1784 to 1890. They now look to reclaim this land.
“Indigenous people across the world have been building power. We build power through maintaining and passing on our songs, stories, and languages; through prayer, healing, and speaking truth. We build power through defending our lands, waters, and communities through grassroots direct action and international human rights work. And we build power through visioning and creating economic models and practices that reflect our teachings and values and honour our relationships.”
“The state perceives any strengthening of tribal sovereignty within [Arizona] as a threat to their own jurisdiction and governing authority”
- PennElys Droz and Nikki Pieratos https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/ndn-collective-investing-indigenous-power-build?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA9IC6BhA3EiwAsbltOHlN4PZwqFfORk5j0LemYH3OrePdpihxHgopQhDFcERx0NNv0DrkPhoCEDoQAvD_BwE - Torivio Fodder https://www.propublica.org/article/how-Arizona-stands-between-tribes-and-their-water
Power established by Native Americans, claiming their land back, through different restorative strategies.
[1] Ak-Chin Community
[2] Cocopah Indian Tribe
[3] Colorado River Indian Tribes
[4] Fort McDowell Yavapai
[5] Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
[6] Gila River Inidan Community
[7] Havasupai Tribe
[8] Hopi Tribe
[9] Hualapai Indian Tribe
[10] Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians
[11] Navajo Nation
[12] Pascua Yaqui Tribe
[13] Pueblo of Zuni
[14] Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe
[15] Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
[16] San Carlos Apache Tribe
[17] San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe
[18] Tohono O’odham Nation
[19] Tonto Apache Tribe
[20] White Mountain Apache Tribe
[21] Yavapai-Apache Nation
[22] Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe
[23] Ute Tribe
[24] Go Shute Tribe
[25] Paiute Tribe
[26] White Mes a Ute
[27] Paiute Tribe Schivwits Band
[28] Jicarilla Apache Nation
[29] Laguna
[30] Las Vegas Paiute Tribe
[31] Moapa Band of Paiute
[32] Confederated Tribes of Goshutes
Tribes, such as Pascua Yaqui, have identified a growing population but only 1/3 can live on their restricted reservation. The proposed settlements aren’t enough.
Mapping today’s tribes in Western America. Focused around the Arizona desert. Whilst there many be many, they vary is size and not all live in their reservations.
Arizona state university and Dine College have set up a programme to increase Native American Lawyers.
“Their individual and community rights are wrapped up in this complex legal structure” With many of the legal council retired, they aim to lead a generation of young advocates who remain on the reservation.
https://www.abajournal.com/web/article/asu-law-dine-college-create-pathway-for-navajo-law-degrees
Today’s legal council has some powerful members, such as Harvard Trained Ethel Branch. They even have one member of the Hopi tribe on panel of federal judges.
Providing a pathway home to the nations
“The
- The Native American Tribal Role in Protecting Natural resources, Susan M. Larned
https://lawpublications.barry.edu/cgi/viewcontent. cgi?article=1072&context=ejejj
THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF WATER
Water is fundamental to Native America communities, not only to build an economy but also to their heritage.
1908, U.S Supreme court recognises tribal water rights in the Winters vs. United Stated case.
1950 post-war, California appealed to supreme court for water. Establishing the Arizona vs California case. This restricted the tribes farming ability.
1956, Lawyer J.A. Riggins declares “The Indian threat to out water rights”. [1]
1963, Arizona vs California case allocated rights of water to the tribes. 1964, the Supreme Court acknowledges Native American Water rights but it is still unattainable.
2001, Bureau of Indian Affairs appealed for Native American water rights but all developments delayed.
2020, Utah and New Mexico accepted settlements, hopeful to claim more land. Now, they have to go through congress.
However, Arizona fought back:
“To choose between houses for our families and water certainty for our Tribe and Neighbours” Robert Valencia. [2]
The state had a history of secret meetings that attempted to force tribes into signing unclear deals. Weaving in policies to prevent reservation expansion and casino restrictions. Non-Indigenous communities sprawled when tribes faced many legal challenges.
“Tribes were pushed to accept concessions, including limits on how they used their water... and how much water tribes can market” [2]
2023, “Some of the Native American folks had a hard time with the concept that they had to give up rights in order to get rights” Jon Kly [2]
Supreme Court declared they are not obliged to provide clean water to Native Indian reservations of Arizona.
2024, after 18 years, the Navajo tribe accepted a deal. Unclean water during Covid-19, water polluted from coal mines, and poor infrastructure has caused the Navajo tribe to become desperate. Tribes have a political inequality against states who have representatives in Congress.
“But now we have our own attorneys, water experts, hydrologists, and we can future out how much water belongs to us”. [3]
25% of the Colorado River Basin is now legally owned by tribes, playing a key role in the future of Western America and challenges with drought.
A historic overview of a 20 year battle between Arizona’s Native American tribes and Legal authorities over water rights.
References: [1] https://www.propublica.org/article/states-tribes-water-rightshistory-repeating-itself [2] https://www.propublica.org/article/how-Arizona-stands-betweentribes-and-their-water [3] https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-06-01/ indigenous-tribes-cement-water-rights-deal-with-Arizona [4] https://www.hcn.org/issues/55-7/indigenous-affairs-Colorado-riverhow-Arizona-stands-between-tribes-and-their-water-squeezed/ [5] https://azgovernor.gov/office-Arizona-governor/news/2024/11/ governor-Hobbs-signs-two-historic-tribal-water-rights
[6] https://time.com/7019660/coloradoriver-water-drought-navajo-nation/?utm_ source=1500+CWP+List+Daily+Clips+and+Updates&utm_ campaign=749220f11b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_09_19_03_42&utm_ medium=email&utm_term=0_-749220f11b-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D [7] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/navajo-nationquest-water-justice-arrives-supreme-court-rcna73200
[8} https://www.propublica.org/article/states-tribes-water-rightshistory-repeating-itself
> Rights to 44,700 Acre-Feet/Year of the Upper Colorado Basin
> Rights to 3,600 Acre-Feet/Year of Lower Colorado Basin
> All Lower Colorado River water that enters the Navajo Reservation, est 122,000 Acre-Feet/Year
> All Wash water that enters Navajo Reservation, subject to the Hopi tribe’s claim
> All the Navajo Aquifer under Navajo Reservation (capped at 8,400 AFY)
> All the Coconino Aquifer under the reservation
> 5 billion dollars towards infrastructure, and 5 billion towards renewable energy projects. Diversion Right (Acre-Feet/Year)
“Securing sustainable water supply for tens of thousands of Arizonans and helping local economies thrive” - Governor Hobbs
“I’m confident we can build a consensus with the seven basin states to get this through congress” - President of Navajo Nation
https://azgovernor.gov/office-arizona-governor/news/2024/11/governor-hobbs-signs-two-historic-tribal-water-rights
“It’s impressive what a community can achieve when it’s empowered by both policy and money” [6] A
LA Extracts water directly from the Colorado River. The California vs. Arizona 1963 Water war established how much the state is allowed to take from the river.
Bureau of Reclamation
Resource protection
Federal Government
Dams, Clean water, Infrastructure
States
Distribution stakes
Senior Water Right Holders
Secure rights
Colorado River Basin Stakeholders
Junior Water Right Holders
Tempremental
USGS
Data collection
Central Arizona Water Project
Diversion canal
Colorado Water Conservation Board
Sustainability
Indigenous Tribes
Cultural, Senior right holders
Million
to Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico
7.5 Million acre-feet to Arizona, California and Nevada
“The Lower Basin repeatedly has used more that its annual allotment”
https://www.denverpost.com/2023/10/29/ colorado-river-negotiations-2026/
Key Powers at play:
> The main ‘accountants’, who quantify water is the US Bureau of Reclamation
> The Biden-Harris Administration has restricted water use by 2025, as part of the drought constituency plan
> Colorado river compact 1922 established how the 7 surrounding states will receive water
>Arizona vs. California 1963 Water War
> 1980 Arizona Groundwater law, and Riparian rights to surface water
> Tribes have an increasing growth and water demand, they are fighting to protect the lands ecosystems
Identifying how the water is distributed across the Colorado River Basin, with reference to the conflict between Arizona and California. WATER DISTRIBUTION
Central Arizona Project (CAP)
Recipient of Extracted Water
Active Groundwater Management Area
Irrigation Non-Expansion Area
“Water rights in both surface water and groundwater function as property rights, and these rights are transferable” Federally distributed quantities however but be negotiated.
“The idea that individuals can profit off a critical resource that everyone needs is an idea that everyone should be concerned about”
https://theflaw.org/articles/private-investment-in-a-public-good/
“After decades. Colorado River Indian Tribes may be able to profit from water rights wealth”
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/21082024/valuable-Arizona-water-could-soon-hit-the-market/
https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-historicconsensus-system-conservation-proposal
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/16/arizona-coloradoriver-water-rights-drought
https://library.cap-az.com/documents/ departments/planning/colorado-river-programs/ CAP-FactSheet-DCP.pdf
https://www.npr.org/2024/11/23/nx-s1-5199870/ biden-administration-urges-states-to-move-forwardwith-colorado-river-sharing-agreement
https://illuminem.com/illuminemvoices/private-companies-are-buying-water-rights-and-betting-onscarcity-in-us-west
https://foodinstitute.com/focus/wild-wild-west-why-water-theft-is-now-rampant-incalifornia/
https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-the-southwest/how-native-americanswill-shape-the-future-of-water-in-the-west
“From 2009 to 2018, early 151,000 acre-feet of water was traded annually”
Data and quotation sourced from: Schwabe, Kurt, Mehdi Nemati, Clay Landry, and Grant Zimmerman. 2020. “Water Markets in the Western United States: Trends and Opportunities” Water 12, no. 1: 233. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12010233
Identifying trends around the selling of water across the states. Highlighting the business side of the environment, where water is more valuable than money.
[1] https://www.alamy.com/goosenecks-of-san-juan-river-monument-valley-buttes-in-distance-at-sunrise-view-from-muley-point-on-cedar-mesa-utah-usa-image345300446.html
[2] https://waterdesk.org/multimedia/photos/navajo-dam-and-navajo-lake-august-2021/
[3] https://x.com/YaleE360/status/1414200371740819460
[4] https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/historyculture/images/Navajo-Bridges.jpg?maxwidth=1300&maxheight=1300&autorotate=false
[5] https://www.instagram.com/elliotstudio/p/DAwcCoHsqpc/?img_index=1
[6] https://cdn.britannica.com/58/156458-050-68649A2F/Hoover-Dam-border-Colorado-River-Arizona-Nevada.jpg
[7] http://azcitieswork.com/the-great-az-road-trip/parker-dam/
[8] https://www.cntraveler.com/story/swimming-holes-to-cool-off-in-this-summer
[9] https://www.propublica.org/article/chemehuevi-tribe-reservation-water-colorado-river-california
[10] https://www.nativeamericacalling.com/tuesday-june-20-2023-arizona-tribes-face-high-hurdles-to-water-rights/
[11] https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/government-news/water-managers-break-ground-for-toquer-reservoir-project/article_23b2f3f1-e211-58d9-b636-edeb6cee030f.html
With drought increasing in frequency and water predicted to decrease in half by the end of the century, water is sacred. Thus, establishing the ‘law of the river’
Tribes are actively defending against Dam proposals to further regulate water. The new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission law gave the Navajo and Hopi tribe ground to deny three proposals above. The company claimed it would boost their economy, but they argued - at what cost.
The river confluence is sacred to all tribes and has been actively protected against federal proposals dating back to 1800’s. It is believed to be where energies come together and the human species originated.
There is much water potential here, but the tribes want to do it in a way that respects their traditions.
The area is symbolic of the unity between tribes and legal strength.
A site of consideration (up stream from proposed site) is the river confluence. The regulation of the Colorado river and little Colorado river are at great debate.
Rejected 2022-2024 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Scheme
Hope/Reflection/ Assurance
Life/Live/Implement
Top Employment Industries on the Navajo Nation
> Utilities
> Healthcare
> Arts
> Entertainment
> Recreation
Opportunities for Industry Growth
> Manufacturing
> Wholesale/Retail Trade
> Transportation
> Finance
> Professional Services
> Food Services
Planning Thinking https://navajoeconomy.org/
DED Priorities to address Socioeconomic Disparities
> Tourism
> Employment
> Small Business & Entrepreneurs
> Industrial Development & Manufacturing
> Commercial Development & Retail
> Law & Policies
> Infrastructure
> Data-based Decisions
> Small Business Funding & Financing
Navajo Nation Homes without Piped water Access Today
Navajo Tribal Utility Authority Global Water Proposal Map
Standardised Precipitation Index
PLANNED INFRASTRUCTURE
An overview of the Navajo Nation’s Future. Highlighting the environmental and infrastructural conditions around the site.
> More than 200 homes
> 150 - 200
> 100 - 150
> 0 - 50
Economic Growth Centrers
Regional Water Treatment Plant
Regional System Turnout
Distribution System
NTLA Water System
Regional Supply Pipeline
-1.5 - -2.0 [Extreme drought]
-1.2 - -1.5 [Severe drought]
> 50 - 100 -0.7 - -1.2 [ Moderate drought]
-0.5 - -0.7 [Abnormal Dry]
0.5 - -0.5 [Neutral]
1.5 - 2.0 [Extreme Wet]
1.2 - 1.5 [Severe Wet]
0.7 - 1.2 [Moderate Wet]
0.5 - 0.7 [Abnormal Wet]
“The memo asks the Feds to make it easier for tribes to market or lease their water rights to water uses that reside outside of tribal land. That could open the door to new revenue streams, participation in conservation programs or the construction of new water infrastructure” [1]
- Alex Hager
‘Tribal Water Sovereignty: Authorizing Indian Water Marketing in the Colorado Basin’
“Some tribes are effectively able to lease water at will; others are entirely prohibited from doing so; and still others are limited, by law or settlement, to leasing only from certain bodies of water or to certain other water users” > A call for unity. [2]
- Samuel Joyce
[1] https://www.kuer.org/politics-government/2024-05-02/tribes-are-submitting-coloradoriver-ideas-so-theyre-at-the-table-not-on-the-menu
[2] https://law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/JOYCE-FINAL-1-1.pdf
The current Colorado River Governance guidelines will expire in 2026. So the 7 states are negotiating the future of the river.
Tribes role in the negotiations of the lower basin is crucial.
“Each tribe is unique, and common ground can be hard to find amid the geographical, political and financial differences between them” [1] - This letter unified two thirds of them.
Gilia River Indian Community has been a key voice.
PROGRAM PROPOSAL
18 Tribes joined to sign a letter for the Bureau of Reclamation outlining three main requests for the 2026 Colorado River basin Management. Jan 2023, establishment of the Indian Tribes Water Resiliency Act.
“Authorizing the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) to lease part of its Colorado River water to off-reservation users” [2]
1. Uphold Responsibility
2. Financial benefit
3. Formal way for tribes to participate in policy negotiations
But, this strictly for irrigated agriculture.
“Very few tribes have the resources necessary to make use of the large water right that ‘Winters’ envisions tribe using for irrigated agriculture; instead, most would prefer ‘wet reservation water, green money, and a broad range of water uses better suited to the culture and actual needs of individual reservations” [2]
The challenges of bargaining with limited rights:
A. Water right quantification by state court or federal law
B. Nonitercourse act bars tribes from leasing unless authorised by congress
A mission for Arizona State University’s graduating class of tribal lawyers.
“CRIT has first-priority rights to 662,402 acre-feet per year” [2]
“Tribal Water leasing could produce up to $1.6 billion in annual revenue” [2]
People want to buy them, because they are stable and secure rights where as others can be lost by non-use.
The river communities see it as a transfer of water, and transfer of opportunity
Key research behind the building program and why it will make an impact as the community enters a new era.
Training of legal councils
The Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission (NNWRC)
> Secured 681,000 acre-feet of water
> Secured 300+ miles of pipeline
> Secured $210 million for Utah-Navajo Water projects
Tribal Sovereignity (Securing water)
Public Education
Protecting Navajo Interests
Individual tribe conferences
Research Legal defence
Human rights work
Documentation
Agricultural management
Infrastructure management
FINANCIAL
Regulating tribal water use
Monitor Wet Water Intake
Monitor Environmental impacts
Regulating Leased water use
Purchase additional assets
Community Engagement
National Communication Centre
Conference for tribe unity
Legally challenge Federal government/ Congress
Ensure government stick to agreements
Signing of documents
Community Outreach
Water Resource Planning
Advocacy and Negotiation
Assets - Water Rights
Monitor Wet Water Intake
Protection of assets
Asset Exchange
Meeting with lessee / surrounding businesses
Signing of documents
Dealer markets
Payment
Handling transactions
Stock Management
Growth Centre
Borrowing and lending money
Manage revenue from sale of goods
Providing business opportunities
Tribe financial management
Handling transactions
Flow chart to identify the key functions of the CRIT HQ. A facility for tribes to connect and grow together.
https://eu.azcentral.com/story/news/local/Navajo-nation/2016/02/17/petition-questions-tribal-council-action/80512104/
https://ddc-dine.com/news/ddc/dine-development-corporation-issues-300000-dividend-to-the-navajo-nation/
https://navajoeconomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-2029-Navajo-Nation-Comprehensive-Economic-DevelopmentStrategy.pdf
https://navajoeconomy.org/project-development/growth-centers/
https://navajoeconomy.org/project-development/growth-centers/
Navajo Council Building
Single large council chamber. Extension added at rear for bathrooms.
Diné Development Coperation
Council that oversees economic growth of the tribes. Addends external summit meetings.
Community Workshops
Community workshops for Economic Development.
Economic growth centre proposal - no current facilities constructed.
Colorado River Indian Tribe Council chambers.
A consideration of schemes in place and their facilities, to address the operation that the CRIT HQ shall host.
HIRING THE WESTERN ARCHITECT
As a big f-you to federal people - that their building is grander and bigger than theirs
Want to show off that they can pay for the western architect. They want a statement piece that shows off their current economic status
Tribes are eager to grow their skills. To become employable and grow their nations
A model for how their nation may become a city, among the likes of fosters etc.
Combining technology with passive design Global expertise and Innovation
Economic and business appeal - not only unity of all the tribes but global unity > attract businesses, government bodies, investors and then trap them into making deals
Tribal desire to get the western architect on board to help in the growth of their infrastructure and economy for a sustainable future.
Initial adjacency diagram
JUNIOR RIGHT HOLDERS / FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TRIBAL MEMBERS
Restrictive entrance, entering the unknown Negotiation Financial exchange
Security + Reception
View of the assets out of reach
Pressured into agreeing a deal
Witnessing the tribes revel in their new economic position
With limited water access
Reception
Communal unified space
Separate spaces for each tribe Legal chambers
ADJACENCY DIAGRAM
Little Colorado River
A partnership between Native Indian Tribes and the Modern Architect
Mapping local resources available and the precedent for construction across the native population. Considering the embodied carbon and environmental impact of the large scale building.
Southern Colorado Plateau Sand Shrubland
Colorado Plateau Pinyon-Juniper Woodland
Rocky mountain Ponderosa Pine Woodland
Colorado Plateau Mixed Bedrocl Canyon and Tableland
Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Shrubland
Inter-Mountain Basins Semi-Desert Grassland and Steppe
Colorado Plateau Blackbrush Mormon tea Shrubland
Inter-Mountain Basins Juniper Savanna
Rocky mountain Cliff and Canyon
Alkaline basalt
Andesite
Basalt
Conglomerate
Dacite
Diabase
Gneiss
Granite
Granodiorite
Gravel
Greenstone
Limestone
Mudstone
Phyalite
Quarz-feldspar schist
Rhyalite
Sand
Sandstone
Schist
Aggregate
Cement and Concrete
Copper
Decorative stone
Iron
Limestone
Sand and Gravel
PUEBLO ARCHITECTURE
Yavapai Nation
Leaders in technological construction.
Currently 3d printing concrete polymer
Build large scale casino complexes
Metal roof
Rammed concrete walls
Tohono O’odham
More traditional earth construction - particularly brick
Common motif of a buttressed support
Steel sheets, glazing set back with second wall
Fort Mojave
Traditionally and thatched and cob like approach. Now adopted modern mass build style.
“We can stay forefront on technology and innovation in our construction practices”
Salt River
Expertise in solar and glazing techniques.
Large use of coloured pre-cast concrete. Experience with shear walls.
Hopi
Traditionally a stacked massing with openings to the east or west.
Specialists in stone stacking.
TRIBE SPECIALISATION
Identification of the construction specialties of each tribe to consider what a unified architecture may look like and how each tribe can learn from each other.
Yaqui and Chemehuevi
Traditional adobe dome structures. Little innovation.
Tonto Apache
Historically most established in inhabiting the earth and stone stacking.
Large use of adobe bricks.
Formations are more rectangular. Modern architecture is well experienced with timber framing, some use grass insulation.
Specialists in the teepee and wickiup. Skilled in weaving practices.
Jicarilla Apache
A more modular design. Mix of stone stacking and brickwork. Heavy use of plasterwork.
Navajo
Traditionally the construction of Hogans developed intto octagonal builds with large timber beams.
Starting to advance in the use of concrete stabilised rammed earth
Paiute
Large use of stone stacking and brickwork. Often cliff like cone formations.
Specialists in metal roofing and canopied.
Concept collage based on reasearch into each tribes constrcution techniques. Idea for a structure of rammed earth, stone, concrete, and timber.
Varying foundation techniques
Source and mix materials
Wall dimensions
Low Non load bearing interior wall = Width 205mm.
Low load bearing wall = Width 205mm x Height 3660mm
Foundation and reinforcement
earth has a high compressive strength but low tensile.
Form-work and insulation
Load bearing wall with two stories = Width 455mm x Height 6705mm
Typical length of a wall panel Length is 3500mm - 95000mm long
Outlining the regional construction practices that use local materials, focusing on rammed earth and its stability restraints.
beam required for roof and floors. Tass lime check detail to reduce weathering
and
Slip form-work 610-915mm by 3050-3660mm High cement top
Each layer max 150mm high before more added.
sun dried mixture of half gravel/ aggregate with clay based soil and straw compacted into brick shape by timber Form-work.
TIMBER-CONCRETE COMPOSITE
A catalogue of timber-concrete composite techniques, mostly used in floor slabs.
A sketch model to consider a fragment of timber intersecting concrete shear
Hand-painted clay tiles
Stone Stacking or Stone tiles
Ceramics studio within Arcosanti Paolo Soleri’s desert town in Arizona
https://www.designboom.com/architecture/arcosanti-experimental-desert-town-Arizona-paolo-soleri-05-19-2016/
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-native-americanscraft-gift-shop-shelves-hand-made-american-navajo-tribesouvenirs-historic-trading-post-american-image93456095
https://www.travelawaits.com/2810351/best-places-to-buyreal-navajo-art-in-arizona-new-mexico/
Native clay tile process:
As the western native American population enter a new economic era, I contemplate - what does their future look like? The following chapter explores the proposal for a monument of power for the tribes to come together and pressure authorities. Drawing on native knowledge, and practices of the western architect.
https://www.archdaily.cl/cl/868471/museo-de-sitio-de-la-cultura-paracas-barclay-and-crousse
Museo de Sitio de la cultura Paracas, Peru 2016
Barclay and Crousse
https://www.thedistractedwanderer.com/2021/07/theres-very-good-reason-its-named-view.html
The View Hotel, Arizona 2008
Ortega family of the Navajo Nation
https://www.archdaily.com/131125/ad-classics-chapel-of-the-holy-cross-richard-hein
Chapel of the Holy Cross, Arizona 1956
Anshen and Allen, in association with Frank Lloyd Wright
https://www.phgmag.com/amangiris-architecture-is-a-study-in-light-shadows-and-environmentally-sensitivedesign/
Spa, Utah 2009
BRUTALIST ARCHITECTURE
A look at brutalist architecture in the desert scene. A movement that highlights the use of shear walls within the rocky terrain.
INITIAL RESPONSE
0m 13.8m
Combining occupational fragments into a bundled structure for thermal consideration.
Fragment to consider occupying the interstitial space with timber shelter.
https://www.architecturedecollection.fr/en/la-kaufmann-desert-house-est-a-vendre/
The Kaufmann Desert House, Palm Springs
Richard Neutra, 1947
https://www.dezeen.com/2025/01/24/trotter-barroso-zion-utah-residential/
Desert Homes, Utah
Andrew Trotter, proposed 2027
ARRANGEMENT PRECEDENT
https://nuvomagazine.com/daily-edit/the-mid-century-modern-style-of-carlos-scarpa
https://www.cgarchitect.com/projects/7f0c499c-mies-van-der-rohe-1923-brick-country-house
Brick Country House, Concept design
Miles van der Rohe, 1923
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/496381190171912207/
References of work inspiring the wall arrangement for the CRIT HQ. Considering positive and negative space.
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/496381190171912207/
British and Scottish Castles
Louis Kahn, 1991
ROOM SKETCH MODEL
ENTRANCE WALL ARRANGEMENT
Experimenting with different wall arrangements to achieve a restricted entrance. As visitor enters down into the landscape.
STEPPED CIRCULATION
“ in plan.
south face in northern hemisphere should be heavily glazed”
A review of rammed earth construction, University of bath 2003
https://people.bath.ac.uk/abspW/rammedearth/review.pdf
Initial massing models, considering longitudinal orientation for best view and thermal properties on site based on local precedent.
INITIAL MODEL SUN STUDY
INITIAL MODEL
ITERATIVE STUDY
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_River_Indian_Tribes https://administration.utah.edu/ute-mou/ https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/ https://www.redbubble.com/i/sticker/Hopi-Tribe-Brushstroked-by-artyflyers/133919063.EJUG5 https://www.gilariver.org/index.php/about/tribal-seal https://www.fortmojaveindiantribe.com/ https://affordable-solar.com/tribal/portfoilo/jicarilla-apache-nation/
NEGOTIATION ROOM
The four pillars represent the four main tribes. The flag is a symbol of unity and progression.
Nation
22 tribes have recognized rights to 3.2 million af
New Mexico Navajo 932,330 af/yr [2009]
Utah ute Indian Tribe 739, 537 af/yr [1990]
Arizona Navajo Nation 681,000 af/yr [2024]
Arizona Colorado River Tribes 662,402 af/yr [2004]
Gilia River Inidan Community 328,800 af/yr [2009]
Jicarilla Apache Nation 50,000 af/yr [2022}
Concept drawing for the Negotiation chamber. Where Businesses, Federal members, and Junior right holders come to ask for a bigger claim.
Bureau of Reclamation
Resource protection
Federal Government
Dams, Clean water, Infrastructure
States
Distribution stakes
Senior Water Right Holders
Secure rights
Colorado River Basin Stakeholders
USGS Data collection
Central Arizona Water Project
Diversion canal
Colorado Water Conservation Board
Sustainability
Indigenous Tribes
Cultural, Senior right holders
Junior Water Right Holders
Temperamental
Manage and Analyse
Lease details
Disclose
Lease details
Terminate
Leases
Lease/Transaction Arrangement
Transition To new standard
Identify and Configure
Leases
Commence
Leases
Process
Monthly transactions
Modify or Renew
Leases
Active water transactions from Indian Tribes in Arizona
SIGNING + TRANSACTION ROOM
Its time for the tribes to make money and others to sign agreements. The tables have turned and the tribes have secured their seat.
https://nnwrc.navajo-nsn.gov/Public-Education/Tribal-Water-Rights-Overview
https://tribalcollegejournal.org/the-growing-market-for-indian-lawyering/
https://www.abajournal.com/web/article/asu-law-dine-college-create-pathway-for-navajo-law-degrees#google_vignette
1] Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
2] Tohono O’odham Nation
3] Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
4] Salt River Prima-Maricopa Indians
5] Pascua Yaqui Tribe
6] Colorado River Indian Tribes
7] Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe
8] Yavapai-Apache Nation
9] Tonto Apache Tribe
10] Quechan Indian Tribe
11] Cocopah Indian Tribe
12] Ak-Chin Indians
13] Jicarilla Apache Nation
14] Ute Indian Tribe
15] Shivwits Band of Paiute Indian Tribe
16] Southern Ute Inidan Tribe
17] Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
18]Chemehuevi Indian Tribe
19] Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
20]San Carlos Apache Tribe
21] White Mountain Apache Tribe
22] Navajo Nation
23] Hopi Tribe
24]Havasupai Tribe
25]Hualapai Indian Tribe
26] Kaibab Band of Palute Indians
27]Moapa Band of Paiute Indians
28] Pueblo of Zuni
29] San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe
30] Las Vagas Paiute Indians
OCCUPATION STORYBOARD
BETWEEN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL
Initial
https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/rain-harvest-home-1/
Sanchez home, Mexico 2020 (Rain water harvesting)
Robert Hutchison Architecture
https://www.archdaily.com/997299/pulo-market-a9a-rchitects
Pulo Market, 2022
A9A Architects
https://www.eckertandeckert.com/page1
NA
Scott Edwards Architecture
https://www.architectural-review.com/today/wa-shan-guesthouse-xiangshan-china-by-wang-shu
Wa Shan Guesthouse, 2011
Precedent for a mass timber roof to provide shade in the deserts that sits onto the shear walls below.
https://www.dezeen.com/2021/12/16/foster-partners-narbo-via-museum-france/
https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/22/ibsen-library-kengo-kuma-and-associates-henrik-ibsen-norway/
Library, Norway 2021
Kengo Kuma and Associates
https://www.dezeen.com/2024/12/04/theodore-roosevelt-presidential-library-snohetta-construction-north-dakota/
Theodore Roosevelt Library, North Dakota 2024
Snohetta
https://www.dezeen.com/2023/02/17/david-chipperfield-national-archaeological-museum-extension/
National archaeological museum, Athens 2023
Chipperfield
https://azarchitecture.com/listing/byrnebills-residence-william-p-bruder-faia-architect/
Byme Residence, Northern Scottsdale 1998
William P. Bruder
CONCEPTUAL SECTION
A consideration of the timber roof as a secondary structure for inhabitation that allows the tribal members to circulate undetected by the visitors below.
STRUCTURAL HIERARCHY
BUNDLED BEAM TEST
Testing
STEPPED OCCUPATION
WEST-SIDE AUDITORIUM
Auditorium for legal conferences and presentations. Fragment to highlight the structure of doorway openings, and
PROVIDING SHADE
Set of drawings for the proposed design of the Colorado River Tribes Headquarters. The title image above is an explosion of the final model, showing the key structural hierachy.
20.
22.
NESTLED IN THE LANDSCAPE
EAST-FACING ELEVATION
WITH THE LANDSCAPE
PASSIVE COOLING
the
Section through the law firm, signing room, negotiation chamber and legislative chamber. The four central pilars representative of the four main tribes.
INTIMIDATED BY COMPRESSION
SIGNING ROOM
LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS
INHABITING THE EARTH - LEASE EXCHANGE
APPENDIX
Side projects that informed project but not used.
- CAMBRIDGE MOSQUE
Tas-de-charge
The fan vault is a form of rib vault but also has the properties of a shell structure. Many of their ribs are decorative and provide no structural support. But the overall geometry decreases stress and results in ;less external buttressing. That said, buttressing are still needed for balancing the horizontal thrust.
The fan vault consists of self-weight loading upside down spire structures known as Conoids. They are self supporting due to the rotation of the surface which lowers the thrust. The conoid are either intersecting of adjacent in which case they require a spandrel to carry the horizontal load. Above the tas-de-charge there is a rubble filled vaulting pocket to enable the thurst to pass through the shell structure and be absorbed by a solid volume.
The cast structure is flipped and attached to a column. The ribs are located where a study showed most stress to occur. A ribbed surface allows the slab to be thin whilst still providing sufficient support.
Step 1 - first layer of form-work is printed and bolted securely, then reinforcements bars are laid across to form the slab.
Step 2 - Second layer of for-work is printed. Reinforced steel cages are lowered into the ribs and central cylinder is erected.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STRUCTURE
All work produced by Unit 14
Cover design by Charlie Harrishttps://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/architecture
Copyright 2025 The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.
At the center of Unit 14’s academic exploration lies Buckminster Fuller’s ideal of the ‘The Comprehensive Designer’, a master-builder that follows Renaissance principles and a holistic approach. Fuller referred to this ideal of the designer as somebody who is capable of comprehending the ‘integrateable significance’ of specialised findings and is able to realise and coordinate the commonwealth potentials of these discoveries while not disappearing into a career of expertise. Like Fuller, we are opportunists in search of new ideas and their benefits via architectural synthesis. As such Unit 14 is a test bed for exploration and innovation, examining the role of the architect in an environment of continuous change. We are in search of the new, leveraging technologies, workflows and modes of production seen in disciplines outside our own. We test ideas systematically by means of digital as well as physical drawings, models and prototypes. Our work evolves around technological speculation with a research-driven core, generating momentum through astute synthesis. Our propositions are ultimately made through the design of buildings and through the in-depth consideration of structural formation and tectonic. This, coupled with a strong research ethos, will generate new and unprecedented, one day viable and spectacular proposals. They will be beautiful because of their intelligence - extraordinary findings and the artful integration of those into architecture.
The focus of this year’s work evolves around the intrinsic chance and professional desire for creative and systematic investigation. The explorative and intellectual process of iterative learning through informed experiment, catalysed by potent discoveries and ultimately seeking an architectural application. An intensely investigative approach enables the architect’s fundamental agency and core competency of the profession to anticipate the future as the result of the highest degree of synthesis of the observed underlying principles underpinned by strong research. Constructional logic, spatial innovation, typological organisation, environmental and structural performance are all negotiated in a highly iterative process driven by intense architectural investigation. Through the deep understanding of principles, we will generate highly developed architectural systems of unencountered intensity where spatial organisation arises as a result of sets of mutual interactions. Observation as well as re-examination of past and contemporary civilisational developments will enable us to project near future scenarios and position ourselves as avant-garde in the process of designing a comprehensive vision for the forthcoming. The projects will take shape as research based, imaginative architectural visions driven by speculation.
Thanks to: ARUP, DKFS.io, Foster+Partners, KLASKA LTD, Populous, RSH+P, Seth Stein Architects, ZHA, knippershelbig
