Phoenix Biomedical Campus Health Sciences Education Building

The Health Sciences Education Building, an inter-professional academic medical and health sciences training facility, serves multiple programs of two universities…

Desert-Inspired Design Supports Interprofessional Learning

Phoenix Biomedical Campus Health Sciences Education Building

Phoenix, AZ

The Health Sciences Education Building, an inter-professional academic medical and health sciences training facility, serves multiple programs of two universities in a signature building on a new biomedical campus in downtown Phoenix. The iconic design meets the institutions’ aspirations for identity, sustainability, and powerful new learning environments. The program merges traditional and emergent learning spaces, from advanced classrooms and learning studios to clinical skills and simulation laboratories. 

The design responds to its urban locale and desert environment. A unique copper facade protects the building from direct solar exposure and provides a ventilated air cavity that helps cool it. Dual building wings create a tall, narrow “canyon” space topped by a PTFE scrim shade that regulates air and light. CO Architects: Executive & Design Architect; Ayers Saint Gross, Associate Architect.

“I would drive out of my way to see this building.”

2013 AIA California Honor Award for Architectural Design, Jury Comments

Project Name

Health Sciences Education Building

Size

264,000 GSF

Client

University of Arizona and
Northern Arizona University

Completion Date

2012

Services

Master Planning
Programming
Architecture
Interior Design

Location

Phoenix, AZ

Awards

  • AIA-CAE (Committee on Architecture for Education), 2015 Design Excellence Award
  • The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture & Design, 2014 American Architecture Award
  • World Architecture News, 2014 The WAN Façade Award
  • The Architect’s Newspaper, 2013 Best Façade Honorable Mention
  • AIA Arizona, 2013 Merit Award for Architectural Design
  • AIA California Council, 2013 Honor Award for Architectural Design

“Not only is the Health Sciences Education Building an impressive architectural icon for the city and state, but it is a fundamentally essential building block to creating a better future for the health of Arizonans.”

Rick Myers, President, Arizona Board of Regents