The Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB) and Biomedical Sciences Partnership Building (BSPB) form a medical education and research complex on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. The first phase HSEB establishes a new, urban desert vernacular which is advanced by BSPB. Both buildings are models for designing in a harsh desert climate. Their exteriors meet objective criteria for thermal performance and durability, while creating an architectural expression that is specific to the building’s place and time. The copper facade mitigates the extreme temperatures of the desert while paying homage to the natural beauty of Arizona’s mountains, canyons and landscape. Both HSEB and BSPB are LEED Silver certified. CO Architects: Executive & Design Architect; Ayers Saint Gross, Associate Architect