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from Architectural Products - March/April 2023

by Buildings & Construction Group

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The saguaro cactus only grows in the Sonoran Desert—its ribbed form is uniquely suited to manage the plant’s exposure to the scorching sun. When CO Architects was selected to design the Health Sciences Innovation Building at the University of Arizona, a project situated in the Sonoran Desert, they took inspiration from the cactus, creating a striking façade equipped to manage glare and solar heat gain in a subtle desert-hued palette.

By Barbara Horwitz -Bennett, contributing writer

With its striking terracotta exterior panels, a variety of gathering hubs and the latest in medical technology, the Health Sciences Innovation Building (HSIB) combines the University of Arizona’s medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health programs into one consolidated 230,000-sq.-ft. hub.

From the four-story, columnfree Forum to the outdoor Porch and indoor terraces, to the daylit classrooms, study areas and simulation center, HSIB is a most fertile training ground for the next generation of healthcare professions in Tucson and beyond. 

Glass curtainwall and shading elements comprise the north and south elevations, while a series of deep canyons with limited glazing front the harsh Arizona sun on the west side.

GLASS

Solarban 90 Starphire was specified for the curtainwall for its flatness, minimal rollerwave distortion, high-performance, neutral cool coloration, and relatively low reflectivity.

Vitro Architectural Glass www.vitroglazings.com

The University of Arizona’s health science program is enjoying a new terracotta and curtain wall-clad building with an advanced medical simulation space, large indoor forum, great study nooks, social spots and outdoor terraces.

“The University’s goal was to increase retention within Arizona, keeping graduates in-state to serve the urban and rural areas. To this end, the HSIB is a new cultural home for a diverse student body and community outreach,” reports Arnold Swanborn, aia, leed ap, design principal, CO Architects, Los Angeles.

“One is easily drawn to its form and placement in the urban realm which proudly emerges from the landscape as a nine-story building,” added Damon Leverett, senior lecturer in the University’s School of Architecture, in a video profile produced by Arizona Public Media, Southern Arizona’s PBS and NPR affiliate.

Fabulous Façade

Starting with HSIB’s unique exterior, each elevation is individually tuned to minimize heat gain and glare. Inspired by the Sonoran Desert surrounding the University, and the desert saguaro cactus’ ability to self-shade, CO Architects modeled the terracotta panels to contextually relate to the campus’ rust-colored brick aesthetic and provide shade for the facility. The most prominent east exposure features Boston Valley Terra Clad adobe dark red, custom twisted vertical panels mounted to unitized curtain wall that uses Vitro’s Solarban 90 Starphire high-performance glazing for its vision glass. “The cool tones and reflectivity of the Solarban 90 glass and terracotta complement each other and create a deeply rich, patterned façade that is both high performing and salient,” relates Swanborn. The crafted, clay panels open up to outdoor porches in key locations where students can gather, collaborate and study.

The north and south elevations are comprised of unitized curtain wall using the same Solarban 90 glass with recessed metal spandrel panels. The south facade is fritted and incorporates a sunshade while the north side is outfitted with vertical fins. On the west exposure where the sun is particularly harsh, glazing is minimized and the design features a series of narrow and deep canyons.