The Desert Botanical Garden’s (DBG) new Membership Kiosk opened in November 2013, replacing the outdated burgundy tent hosted by the Member Service team. DWL’s Scott Osteen, who is also a member of the Garden’s Monarch Council – a board-appointed committee of emerging leaders – led the design effort for the new kiosk. The structure features imaginative design, repurposed materials, and a modern living wall display. The result is a design that is about 75% recycled materials.

Scott is interviewed in the Garden’s Sonoran Quarterly Spring 2014 newsletter, where he describes the design process for this project as well as his involvement in the Monarch Council.

 source: Garden’s Sonoran Quarterly Spring 2014

After years of planning and preparation, construction began on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s new Xalychidom Piipaash Nyvaash – “The Peoples House.” Having a place where traditional Piipaash (Maricopa) funerals could be held has been a goal in the Community for more than 30 years.

The 13,000 square foot facility is composed of two buildings: the Cry House, which measures 5,500 square feet, and an 8,000 square foot dining hall that can seat 300 people. The Cry House will host both traditional and Christian funerals for Community members.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, DWL’s Peter Pascu provided some design details on the project and explained what the Community has to look forward to when the Cry House is finished. “The entire project is designed to consist of materials that are reflective of the Community culture and values – materials that are sustainable, durable and low maintenance. For example, the red color is based on the pottery colors used by the Maricopa.”

The 5-acre project is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2015.

source: Au-Authm Action News

After nearly three years of planning, Infinity Hospice Care has opened a new facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. DWL designed the new, two building project with an understanding of the needs of hospice patients and their families. The 9,616 s.f. hospice facility features 12-bed private rooms, a nurse station, patient exam room, kitchen and meditation room. An adjacent 9,015 s.f. single-story administration building houses a variety of offices and meeting spaces for hospice staff.

According to Infinity Hospice Care president, Mary Bertram, the inpatient facility offers a homey atmosphere. The rooms and hallways are full of natural light, medical equipment is hidden, and a tranquility garden out back allows patients to look at native plants and flowers. The facility also caters to patients’ families. A family room allows children to play and “feel normal,” and patients and visitors can eat home-cooked meals in a private dining room.

source: Las Vegas Review-Journal

pictured l-r: Peter Pascu (DWL), Mary Bertram (Infinity Hospice), Sean Warfield (DWL), and Ellen Tehan (DWL)

Read full Article: “Stacked: The next generation of libraries is made for the spokes, not the hub—and books are only part of their programs.”
source: Evitts, Elizabeth. “Stacked: The Next Generation of Libraries is made for the spokes, not the hub – and books are only a part of their programs.” Architect, The AIA Magazine March 2012: Pages 34-37.

In the February 2010 edition of Metal Architecture, the magazine’s feature story is about the City of Scottsdale’s Appaloosa Branch Library and the building’s color-changing metal skin.

“Designed for its desert location, the library features 20,000 square feet of metal wall panels from Morin that changes colors thanks to the first commercial use in the U.S. of PPG Industries’ Duranar VARICool iridescent coating on the metal cladding. The Kaleidoscope colored coating harmonizes with the color-shifting desert setting.”

source:  Schumacher, Stefan. “Metallic Mirage: Library Features Color-changing Skin and Comfortably Modern Atmosphere.” Metal Architecture, February 2010: 16-20.