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Design Achievement - Founded on a mission "to inspire, educate, and engage curious minds through science," the Arizona Science Center wanted its new space to supplement its interactive exhibits and learning programs. DLR Group's renovation of an existing, adjacent space, the former Phoenix Museum of History, creates a "maker space" environment that provides hands-on, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) learning opportunities focused on K-12 and community education. The flexible space invites visitors of all ages to make, iterate, and build. The design for the space reflects and inspires this culture of "making" by utilizing industrial materials - the same materials that can be found in the wood and metal shop - in inventive ways. By taking this approach, simple materials like plywood give the space a dynamic formal expression, while respecting the project budget. Scope Summary - The 6,682 SF renovation included extensive demolition and reconstruction to allow for an open and accessible relationship to the existing lobby, redefining the entry experience as a gesture inviting visitors from the public plaza beyond. Organized around a central social commons to foster collaborative relationships, the space provides a series of flexible workspaces that can be adapted for a variety of individual, small team, or larger group projects. Three zones can also be set up to allow for several classes to engage in design and "making" challenges as part of the education programming of the facility. More specialized design resource areas housing more sophisticated equipment, such as 3D printing and scanning, robotics, laser cutting, art, sewing, and wood and metal working, open into the workspace environment and provide the opportunity for more focused and self-directed "making." DLR Group provided architecture, interior design, and MEP and structural engineering services.
Design Achievement - The West-MEC Southwest Campus is located in Buckeye, Arizona. The campus design exudes the idea of energy and how it relates to a variety of career paths that directly relate to the needs of the community and business partners in the west valley. An iconic and bold architecture is conveyed to the community through the use of bold colors reflecting the school’s brand as well as an architectural expression of high bay solar canopies integrated into the building design. DLR Group master planned the campus facility several years ago, with the evolution of the district leadership, along with the changes in curriculum, the master plan was updated based on this information for this phase. West-MEC Southwest Campus is being implemented in several phases, this is Phase 3 – and it is continuing in the established architectural language of the campus. Pathways to be featured in this phase include STEM lab spaces, along with Veterinary Sciences with small and large animal instructional opportunities, Cosmetology, with a salon space that will be used by the public as a living laboratory for students to interact and provide them with real world experiences, as well as providing Dental Assistant opportunities to the students. There are different learning environments and social spaces are infused throughout the design. Lab spaces offer state-of-the-art equipment and adjacent collaborative learning spaces promote team interaction and an exterior second floor roof patios providing additional outdoor learning environments. Scope Summary - Phase 4 of the Southwest Campus consists of one building: Building F. This is a two-story 26,454 SF facility, which houses the Medical Assistant and Pharmacy on the first floor, and the Physical Therapy and Bio-sciences are housed on the second floor with access to an outdoor roof patio for an extended learning environment. Building G was constructed in a prior phase and is linked to by a bridge to Building ‘F’. DLR Group provided architecture, engineering, interiors, sustainability services and construction administration.
The Fort Mojave Indian Tribe has been master planning their land. The following two projects are part of a much larger master planning effort developed by the tribe: Pre-Kindergarten through 6th Grade School with a Montessori Approach The pre-kindergarten thru 6th grade school will have a Montessori approach to teaching, those main focus will be an emphasis of teaching the Pipa Ahav Macav language and culture. The approximate square footage scope is 30,000 and includes the following: School Capacity for 250 Students Spaces include instructional classrooms, school administration, food service, and associated support spaces for a comprehensive school facility Cultural Center The Cultural Center is approximately 15,000 SF and will house 3 different departments for the nation. Aha Makav Cultural Society Cultural Preservation Language The Aha Makav Cultural Society facilities several events, such as tribal monitoring of site, as a cultural reference library, as well as provides meeting spaces for the community. The Cultural Preservation Department provides cultural hands-on activities for the tribe, ranging from beading, shinney stick making, sewing, and more. The Language department will be housed in the Cultural Center, but the intent is to have Language personnel to be located within the School as well as the emphasis will be on teaching the language and they will play a significant role in the curriculum development relative per the emphasis on language. The approximate square footage scope is 15,000 and includes the following: Administrative Spaces for the 3 cultural departments for the tribe Meeting/Gathering Spaces Exhibit/Display Space Community Classrooms Spaces Restroom & Supporting Spaces for a comprehensive facility
Design Achievement - The Fort Mojave Indian Tribe has been master planning their land over several years. The focus of these two projects preserves and supports the Pipa Aha Macav – “The People by the River” – who trace their origins to Spirit Mountain, the highest peak in the Newberry Mountains. The site plan of the campus locates the two buildings around a main plaza area, which are oriented to have view of Spirit Mountain due to importance to the Tribe’s culture. The materiality of the projects harmonizes with the colors of the desert. Scope Summary - The pre-kindergarten through 6th grade school has a Montessori approach to teaching, with an emphasis on teaching the Pipa Aha Macav language and culture. The 28,500 SF school component is designed for 250 students and includes instructional classrooms, school administration, food service, play fields, and associated support spaces for a comprehensive school program. The 12,500 SF Cultural Center houses three tribal departments: the Aha Macav Cultural Society, the Cultural Preservation, and Language Department. The Aha Macav Cultural Society facilitates several events, such as monitoring of tribal sites, a cultural reference library, and provides meeting spaces and classrooms for the community to encourage and practice their cultural and tribal crafts. The Cultural Preservation Department provides cultural hands-on activities for the tribe, ranging from beading, shinney stick making, sewing, and more. The Language Department also has offices in the school, supporting the emphasis on teaching the language and tribal curriculum development. The Cultural Center includes administrative Spaces for the three tribal cultural departments, meeting/gathering spaces, exhibit/display space, and community classrooms. DLR Group provided architecture, interiors, structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical design services.
Working with DLR Group on an in-depth but very efficient visioning process it soon became clear that J.O. Combs Unified School District has a clear self-identity: world class educators with home town roots.  The design team built on this identity to create a new two story District Office which would bring together all District departments into one cohesive location.  The world class education is visible in open collaborative office areas, hoteling stations for travelling instructional coaches, and plenty of conference room space that was lacking in the District.  This design approach broke down the silos between departments and allowed the educators and administrators to elevate the level of services for their students and staff.  World class education also influenced the new governing board room which doubles during the day as a large professional development space that can hold anywhere from small groups up to over 100 people. The home town roots are very visible in a warm and welcoming wood entry as well as graphics that pay homage to JO Combs’ rich agricultural history.  This new entry is light and bright, but acts as a secure vestibule for the safety of staff in the offices beyond.  The home town roots continue throughout, influencing the warm wood furniture package in the break room all the way to the conference lighting fixtures reminiscent of tumbleweed in this former cowboy town.
DLR Group was retained to plan, design and implement the renovation and adaptive reuse of the existing museum into the new Arizona Experience. The project includes permanent and flexible exhibit galleries, and supporting administrative, retail and event spaces. DLR Group provided architecture, MEP and structural engineering, and museum operations and planning services.
Design Achievement - The Phoenix Data Center Campus is built for big data providing 250 megawatts (MW) of critical load for even the largest of cloud-connected data clients. Designed to operate at a PUE (power usage effectiveness) of <1.25 the Tier III facility provides reliability operating 24x7 with 99.99999 percent uptime. Each of the larger-than-a-football-field data halls and are designed for maximum space flexibility with non-raised floors for increased floor to ceiling height, minimal floor loading concern, and clean overhead cabling. The design included computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and simulations for proper air flow and temperature distribution and ventilation. Scope Summary - The 1.25 million SF campus includes seven data halls, staging and storage areas adjacent to loading docks, and secure site entry. The first of the seven data halls is complete and totals 178,252 SF with an adjoining 20,000 SF of office and associated support space. The two-story building, located on the southwest corner of the campus closest to the main entrance, has 32 MW of critical load capacity. The non-raised floor design features air-cooling using 68 highly-efficient chilled water Computer Room Air Handers (CRAH) per building. Mechanical systems are housed in equipment galleries next to the data halls on each floor. Thousands of system sensors placed in CRAH units, racks, drop downs from the ceiling, and pipes send information to the building management system to provide air side control and alarming. DLR Group was selected by EdgeCore, in partnership with Dotterweich, Carlson, Mehner Design, Inc., for its North American rollout, providing services on the Phoenix Data Center Campus and five other data center projects across the nation. DLR Group provided mechanical and plumbing design & engineering, CFD analysis, fire suppression, commissioning and LEED services.
Design Achievement – The Cambria Hotel & Suites Brand was recently redeveloped into a new prototype brand looking to attract a new group of travelers. DLR Group’s design of the interior and exterior of the hotel reflects the core brand idea that every guest is high value. Located on a prominent corner in Chandler, Arizona, the site enjoys 360-degree views of the surrounding area, which are highlighted through the façade design. Signature art elements highlight the surrounding context, featuring art in all guest rooms and lounges. The hotel adds new opportunity to the existing mixed use development at this site, The Viridian Development, which includes a center courtyard, outdoor seating, water features, an office building, and retail and residential condominiums. Scope Summary – This project is comprised of 136 keys and a total of 79,915 SF. Unit types range from Double Queens, Kings and 1 Bedroom Suites. Main public areas include a flexible lobby and lounge space, a unique “Coffee House Pub,” meeting rooms with a pre-function area opening to the outdoor patio, and an outdoor pool. Other notable hotel elements entail a porte cochere featuring a canted glass canopy. The main entry and lounge is highlighted by a glass, vertical tower with a corner branding element and lighting features. The color scheme is elevated from the brand standards with the use of gray gradients and different textures which accent the Cambria orange and warm red tones at the tower. The corner of the hotel has an outdoor pool with a sun deck, fire pit and seating areas to take advantage of the Arizona climate. The signature interior design elements include adaptable lounge, market, and bar areas that function as a comfortable coffee house by day and an active pub at night. DLR Group provided architectural and interior services.
Paradise Valley unified school district had an amazing magnet arts program spanning from kindergarten through high school across three schools but the word was not getting out to parents and the community. They came to DLR group to create unifying signage based on the North Valley Arts Academy logo that would clearly relate the three schools into a single cohesive program.  The resulting three signs are located strategically at parent drop off locations for maximum publicity. They link the schools not only in the day but glow brightly along busy Shea Boulevard at night.

Design Achievement: J.O. Combs Unified School District had spent two decades with make-shift facilities for their transportation fleet. The new transportation center consolidates the maintenance and transportation staff into one central area with the adjacent Combs District Office, providing one efficient campus for all of the District’s support services. The transportation area is accessed by its own bus and truck delivery entrance, separate from any visitor entry to the campus. Scope Summary: The Transportation Center itself is a stand-alone building and provides everything the transportation and maintenance staff need: three commercial bus bays with vehicle lifts, secure tool storage, nearly 3,000 square feet of District warehouse storage, dispatch office, training conference room, employee break room including kitchenette, laundry and locker room. The layout provides parking for 75 bus spaces along with the personal vehicles of their drivers. The paved parking area also houses a fueling station, vacuum station, and is lined for a CDL training course. DLR Group provided architecture, mechanical, electrical and structural engineering and interiors services.
NOT TO DLR GROUP STANDARD The City of Paducah retained DLR Group to study the feasibility of returning the unique 1926 Adamesque and Skouras-style Columbia Theatre to operation after being shuttered since 1987. The adaptive reuse concept is driven by the programmatic decision to focus on film rather than live theater as the primary use for the Columbia Theatre. Understanding that the need for live theater is being more than adequately met at other venues in the area, it was determined that the Columbia would focus on the under-served portions of entertainment in the area, including movies, comedy, music, various lecture series and special events. DLR Group’s programmatic approach reflects the mechanical, electrical, structural, and theatrical responses to those programmatic needs. The major proposed intervention is a conversion from a two-screen to a three-screen venue with a “twinned” balcony. The addition of a third screen to the upper balcony will provide the flexibility needed to compete in the current movie marketplace. Multiple planning options were presented to accomplish those goals. The final program sets a path for the theater’s future primary tenant, Maiden Alley Cinema, to occupy and manage the space by 2017. DLR Group examined the existing conditions of the theater, interviewed stakeholders and end users, and provided concepts for the renovation of the building. The project will to conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation with the goal of receiving federal and state Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits as well as New Market Tax Credits and a variety of state and federal grants. DLR Group\| provided architecture, MEP and structural engineering, theater technical and audiovisual design services.
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Design Achievement: A new clinic suite will offer much needed wound care services in an expanding service line for Honor Health. The new wound clinic offers a more convenient location for wound care in an underserved area. The new wound clinic provides five exam rooms, workroom, two offices, soiled utility, clean supply, breakroom and reception with waiting space. Two fully accessible patient toilets are also provided. The Physical Therapy renovation includes a new reception desk, three new exam rooms, intake office and social worker office, training room, breakroom, clean supply, and soiled work room. Scope: The scope of this projects is the renovation of the current cardiac rehabilitation space into a new wound clinic and Physical Therapy suite of 13,514 SF. The wound clinic was a complete demolition and construction of a new suite to accommodate the new wound care program. The combined Physical Therapy and Cardiac Rehabilitation area expanded into existing locker space with a partial demolition for the new offices, exam rooms, and training. Minor demolition and renovation created new storage for the existing speech therapy offices. New walls, floor finishes, and ceiling are provided in the wound clinic and PT exam/training area. Ceilings and grids, lights, and devices remained in the main exercise room. New millwork was installed in the entire area. DLR Group provided architectural and interior design, medical equipment layouts, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and IT/Data low voltage system design services.
Design Achievement - Arizona State University provides unique research opportunities that involve cross-discipline collaboration and interface with outside businesses and community organizations. The Goldwater Center is home to several important research centers and needed to update their labs to better accommodate modern research technology and practices. DLR Group’s design improved air quality within the lab through enhancement of the existing building systems, updated room finishes, and created a cleanroom environment that supports 3D Nanofabrication of various metals. Scope Summary - The renovation creates an efficient laboratory space that supports the geology, physics and chemistry departments. The entire space was renovated with new fixtures and furnishings while reusing the existing fume hoods. DLR Group’s architects and engineers assessed the base building systems, determined capacities, and extended services into the space to support the research. Casework and equipment were arranged to optimize cleanliness, function and safety.
The former Madison Street Jail is a unique opportunity to convert an abandoned correctional facility in downtown Phoenix into a 280,000 SF modern office facility, and is a real test of innovation. Now referred to as 225 W. Madison, this project entails a replacement of all major building systems; including mechanical/electrical systems, all vertical transportation elements including elevators and stairs, and creating new fenestration to infuse the building with daylight and views; all within a very tight budget.
Palmcroft: Design Achievement: Built in 1956, Palmcroft Elementary School was in need of a space to accommodate modern instructional practice for their science and arts programs. DLR Group worked with teachers, administration, and the contractor to renovate and expand upon a decommissioned boiler room at the heart of campus to create a maker space that fosters hands-on learning and exploration for elementary-level students. Exposed structural, mechanical, and plumbing systems offer the ability for students to learn from the building, and a variety of textural zones caters to the school’s autistic population while doubling activity/rest zones for all students. Due to its prominent location on campus, the new addition offered the opportunity to provide a new front door to the campus, and the ability to double as a gathering and event space for extra-curricular activities. Scope Summary: DLR Group worked with the contractor to safely deliver an addition to an existing building at the heart of the elementary school while keeping classes operational. The project includes the renovation of a 600 SF decommissioned boiler room, and the addition of 1,000 SF to provide a new maker space and front door to the campus. The new addition required modification and upgrades to the building’s existing structural system, and modification to existing building canopies. DLR Group provided architecture, interior design, and structural engineering, and partnered with local engineers for MEP engineering. Alice Byrne: Design Achievement: Alice Byrne Elementary School’s Self-Contained Autistic Program occupied two retro-fitted houses on the school’s site. While the teachers performed miracles with what they had, the existing facility did little to offer the specialized considerations that the program requires and segregated the students of the program on a corner of the site. Paying close attention to inclusivity, DLR Group provided a modernized take on a historic design to give the program a facility that fits within the context of the existing campus, thereby allowing students to feel as though they are a part of the school’s community. The new facility offers 2 state-of-the-art classrooms, complete with a plethora of support and small-group instructional spaces, while also providing a cohesive and inclusive campus atmosphere. Scope Summary: DLR Group demolished 2 houses that were serving an instructional space, and designed a classroom building in their place on an occupied campus. The project includes a 5,600 SF facility and outdoor courtyard space, and a small bicycle riding path for the school’s Self-Contained Autistic Program. DLR Group provided architecture, interior design, and structural engineering, and partnered with local engineers for civil engineering, MEP engineering, and landscape design. Courtyard: At Alice Byrne Elementary, the autistic program did not enjoy the Equity and Accessibility that was at the heart of the District’s ethos.  Occupying old residential buildings on campus, these students and teachers were used to “making do” and giving the best educational experience they could.  Stretching the District’s small budget, DLR Group created an outdoor courtyard reminiscent of the traditional territorial architecture of the Yuma area.  This traditional architecture took advantage of shaded walkways, a planted courtyard, and building orientation to create a pleasant outdoor space.  On the interior, specialty spaces including a sensory room provided equitable yet customized learning spaces to allowed Alice Byrne’s autistic students to thrive.
Chilled Water Optimimization Assessments at Medtronic's facility in Tempe Arizona.
This 11 acre industrial park in Chandler, Arizona will contain six buildings. Seven acres will house five single-user buildings ranging from 10 - 25,000 SF, with Chandler. The remaining four acres are reserved for an approximately 91,000 SF Toy Barn Storage facility. Toy Barn Storage is an upscale premium storage center geared toward performance enthusiasts and auto and motor collectors, with individual climate controlled units ranging from 960 to 3,000 SF. The Toy Barn Clubhouse is a two-story gathering place with full kitchen and meeting space, contributing to a unique sense of luxury community and camaraderie within an industrial park. The first construction phase will see Toy Barn and two single-user buildings totaling 34,000 SF breaking ground by December 2018. DLR Group provided master planning - including entitlements - and architectural services.
Design Achievement - The proposed project is on a site approximately 80.24 acres with no development currently on it. The existing zoning allows for fabrication and assembly of finished products, scientific or research laboratories, facilities and storage incidental to a construction project, churches, ammunition and commercial loading of small arms, public utility buildings, environmental remediation facilities, commercial schools, and bank vaults. DLR Group’s design of the site and building will be visually integrated within their context by utilizing form, materials and colors that harmonize with the site and adjacent developments. The building has been planned with respect to solar orientation and visibility, employing geometry sympathetic to its site and surroundings. The entries will be recessed and defined with special architectural features such as canopies, upgraded finishes, and special architectural treatments to enhance the sense of arrival to the project. Scope Summary - The proposed development will consist of one single story building totaling about 1.3 million SF. Parking will be all uncovered surface parking and will meet the standards set in the City of Phoenix Zoning Ordinance. The site will have main entrances for employees and visitors and separate entrances for trucks. The interior of the site will be connected through a series of drives, paving, hardscape, sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, and building architecture. All site and building details will conform to the design guidelines within the City of Phoenix Zoning Ordinance. The building design is compatible with existing developments within this area and will have a similar architectural feel. DLR Group provided conceptual design services.
Design Achievement: Maryvale High School is a large comprehensive campus in west central Phoenix dating back to 1963. Having seen a major renovation in 1999, all spaces predate the modern evolution of collaborative and interactive learning environments that have come with the digital revolution. Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) sought to make major advances in three areas at Maryvale HS with their bond money: The Gifted and Talented Academy (GTA), the library, and the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC). Maryvale HS developed the largest JROTC program in the Phoenix area. Each of the aforementioned areas had three goals: address immediate deficiencies, set the campus up for future evolution and become a prototype for other district schools. The District sought the help of DLR Group to develop their next generation learning spaces. PXU wanted new-age learning environments for their blossoming Gifted and Talented Academy which had seen rapid growth targeting 200 students by 2021. The program had started to explore student-centric learning utilizing new furniture. DLR Group expanded their imagination of learning with spaces that promote interaction, individual exploration and collaborative learning that is commensurate with each of the four grade levels. Maryvale HS became an example of what a 21st Century high school library should embody and ideas developed here provide precedence for the remainder of libraries in PXU. DLR Group imagined a place that incubated digital media, rapid prototyping technology and mobile furniture where students could explore learning rather than receive learning. Scope Summary: The new environment combined traditional library activities seamlessly with the collaborative ideas of a student commons and hi-tech maker spaces. The JROTC program deserved its own space and a new building was created combining flexible and collaborative learning with the regiments of officer training and an eight-bay 10 meter indoor air rifle range. Interior spaces blend with exterior training spaces and a parade ground. DLR Group provided architecture, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering services. Smaller focus: Gifted and Talented Academy at Maryvale HS, Phoenix, AZ Phoenix Union wanted new-age learning environments and a dedicated space for their blossoming Gifted and Talented Academy (GTA).  This micro school had seen rapid growth and had a goal of enrolling 200 students by 2021. Co-located within the larger Maryvale High School, the GTA program wanted a renovated space to call their own and attract students from across Phoenix Union.  Working closely with stakeholders, students and faculty, DLR Group explored student-centric learning, a new communal way of teaching, and further utilization of flexible new furniture. DLR Group expanded their imagination of learning with spaces that promote interaction, individual exploration and collaborative learning that is commensurate with each of the four grade levels.
Chilled Water Optimimization Assessments at Medtronic's facility in Tempe Arizona.
Chilled Water Optimimization Assessments at Medtronic's facility in Tempe Arizona.
Design Achievement: Madison Meadows Middle School’s initial campus from the 1950’s, designed by DLR Group's predecessor firm Lescher and Mahoney, has had a strong presence in the community from its beginning. The robust neighborhood and community involvement are evident in the use of the school common areas and fields by after school programs, which keeps this school humming long after the typical school hours. The school had already implemented Phase 1 of the rebuild which included new administration, classroom and media center. DLR Group was selected for Phase 2 – and asked to work in harmony with the architectural character established for Phase Scope Summary: ARCHITECTURE Madison Meadows Middle School’s initial campus from the 1950’s, designed by DLR Group's predecessor firm Lescher Mahoney, has had a strong presence in the community from its beginning. The robust neighborhood and community involvement is evident in the use of the school common areas and fields by after school programs, which keeps this school humming long after the typical school hours. The school had already implemented Phase 1 of the rebuild which included new administration, classroom and media center. DLR Group was selected for Phase 2 – and asked to work in harmony with the architectural character established for Phase 1. Working hand-in-hand with the District and stakeholders, DLR Group’s solution draws upon inspiration from the mid-century modern architecture of the surrounding neighborhood, as well as the strong contextual tie to the ‘red brick’ of the existing campus. A strong visible butterfly roof pays homage to the surrounding neighborhood while providing shade for outdoor dining. Inside, a large learning stair not only gives middle school students a fun and independent place to gather but provides overflow seating for arts performances on the adjacent stage. The classroom wing separates younger grades from older grades. Each wing serves a grade with open, collaborative spaces between classrooms to give students independence while providing clear sight lines for teacher supervision. Scope Summary: EARLY FOR FIELDS: Working hand-in-hand with the District and stakeholders, DLR Group’s solution draws upon inspiration from the mid-century modern architecture of the surrounding neighborhood, as well as the strong contextual tie to the ‘red brick’ of the existing campus. A strong visible butterfly roof pays homage to the surrounding neighborhood while providing shade for outdoor dining. Inside, a large learning stair not only gives middle school students a fun and independent place to gather but provides overflow seating for arts performances on the adjacent stage. The classroom wing separates younger grades from older grades. Each wing serves a grade with open, collaborative spaces between classrooms to give students independence while providing clear sight lines for teacher supervision. This condensed urban site warrants a two-story design solution oriented primarily north to south to optimize natural daylighting and minimize energy use. Fields to the north and south create buffer areas for the neighborhood, as well as maximizing the open space on the site for the use of the school and community. The scope consists of a 50,000 SF classroom building, contains instructional classrooms, behavioral classrooms, and science labs. DLR Group provided architectural, interiors, structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical design services.
Design Achievement – The aging Balsz K-8 Elementary School reopened in 2019 as Tillman Middle School. This community school embraced a new name honoring a national hero. The original facility did not support the school’s new vision which included reconfigured grade levels focused on middle school magnet programs called “Pathways to Success” and a new dynamic way of teaching to increase recruitment and retention of both students and teachers. DLR Group’s design of the new Tillman Middle School campus includes a state-of-the-art classroom building to foster learning and collaboration. The new classroom wings highlight the school’s specialty pathways: AVID, STEM, Digital Media Arts and Kinetics. The library moved into an area adjacent to the cafeteria, combining the two spaces to create a student “commons” preparing students for the types of spaces they will see in high school. This partial campus rebuild is a phased construction project on an occupied campus. Scope Summary – Throughout the design, DLR Group involved students, teachers and the community. Our architects and engineers met with each of the 780 Tillman “Warriors”, soliciting the students’ feedback on what images would be “right” for their new Tillman Middle School. In tandem, our team introduced these middle schoolers to the many careers available in architecture, engineering and interior design. The school’s focus on elevating teaching methods led to an off-site professional development day to focus on the future of teaching and learning. Finally, the multilingual community was brought into the design through “voting” on images that transcend language, followed by multiple community workshops. Through our comprehensive outreach and involvement, the new Tillman Middle School will be a community pillar in the Balsz community for decades to come. DLR Group is providing architecture, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural engineering; and interiors services.
Design Achievement - The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, formerly known as the Madison Street Jail constructed in 1985, is a unique design opportunity to resurrect a decommissioned jail facility that has been vacant for 10 years and re-purpose through adaptive re-use as a Class A office building. DLR Group's design reconnects the building to the urban context and in the process enhances the urban street and pedestrian environment. Vacated initially due to overcrowding and infrastructure failure, Maricopa County, the facility owner, considered renovating the building for detention use, which was not feasible, or demolishing the 30-year-old structure which would have cost county taxpayers $15-$20M just to tear down such a massive building and an additional cost of $30M to build a new superstructure. Ultimately, the decision was to use highest form of true sustainability by re-purposing the existing facility. The economic driver was the benefit of consolidating leased office space into this county owned facility adjacent to the Maricopa County Courts Complex.     Scope Summary - The design of the six-level, 279,000 SF building reinvents a closed, fortified structure as an open, welcoming work space with daylight and views. Intrinsic qualities including high floor-to-floor height and secured exterior recreation spaces now serving as rooftop gardens offer unprecedented amenities. Along the streetfront, the imposing plenum is replaced with entry lobbies and a public plaza that reactivates this important quadrant of Phoenix’s civic fabric.  The demand for transparency in the building had to be accomplished without compromising the structural integrity of the original cast-in-place concrete structure which also serves as the exterior skin. Creating energy efficient office space with inherent special qualities found in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office structure would be cost prohibitive to recreate in a new commercial office building. Converting this building to a new use is similar to converting an old warehouse; the intrinsic qualities of the facility such as high floor-to-floor height and secured exterior recreation spaces with potential to become roof top gardens offer unprecedented amenities that must be celebrated. Re-purposing the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is not only feasible but will enhance the civic fabric of Phoenix with an active and vibrant office facility for county employees refreshing a lifeless, and vacant segment of the Phoenix urban core.
Design Achievement – Valleywise Health needed a comprehensive interior renovation of Maryvale Hospital that would embody their mission of “Care Reimagined.” DLR Group’s design transforms Maryvale Hospital, a 1970’s vintage acute care hospital, into a comprehensive, 192-bed behavioral health inpatient facility. The facility offers a secure, yet inviting, environment for patients, staff, families, and visitors. Ninety-eight percent of patients admitted to Maryvale are court-ordered admissions requiring careful attention for the safety of both patients and staff. The design of patient floors incorporates the latest anti-ligature fixtures and accessories, along with an appropriate level of electronic devices to assist the care staff in monitoring patient activities 24-hours a day. Scope Summary – This 260,000 SF renovation updated 192 inpatient behavioral health beds and two, 24-bed nursing units per floor. The existing emergency department was expanded to 30 treatment beds with code compliant remodeling and a new emergency department now provides expanded healthcare services. The existing ICU was converted into 16 observation beds for medical patients awaiting release or transport to another facility. The pharmacy was relocated, new imaging equipment was specified, and the clinical laboratory underwent reconstruction. The central utility plant was completely updated requiring significant asbestos and mold remediation, along with the replacement of most of the building’s soil, waste, and vent piping. DLR Group provided architecture; mechanical, plumbing, electrical and structural engineering; interior design and furniture selection; acoustics; and wayfinding/signage.
Design Achievement - Hillcrest Middle School underwent a phased modernization. Our team carefully coordinated major construction efforts to occur during breaks and holidays so that the learning environment would not be impacted. As part of Deer Valley Unified School District’s modernization projects, the design began with the district standard priorities of safety, security, wayfinding, environment and conservation. Meeting with the school site staff and principal, the design evolved specific to Hillcrest to include code safety upgrades, administration and secure entry renovations, modernization of classrooms and labs, enhanced outdoor learning environments and wayfinding to include celebration of Hillcrest’s specialty programs offered. To make the front entry more welcoming, administration was relocated to the main corridor into the school and the overall campus perimeter was secured with school hour entry controlled solely at the lobby. In addition, site circulation was reorganized to separate the drop offs from visitor parking to help relieve congestion. Scope Summary - Every classroom and lab received new finishes, casework and LED lighting to revitalize the 30 year old spaces. In addition, DLR Group evaluated several daylighting strategies to optimize effectiveness under budget constraints. With school input, a mixture of high windows and solatubes were preferred as it provided the desired daylight and left wall space for the teachers. Labs, music, STEM and locker rooms are also reconfigured to provide more efficiency and flexibility within these spaces. Like many 30 year old schools, part of the modernization required standard safety and code upgrades such as adding in a fire suppression system and upgrading fire alarm, updating ADA compliance and restrooms. These upgrades give the students and community piece of mind in knowing the Hillcrest Falcons are safe at their modernized school. In the end, Hillcrest has an updated campus while maintaining the history and culture of the Community School. DLR Group provided architecture, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural engineering, and interiors services.
Design Achievement - 225 W. Madison, formerly known as the Madison Street Jail constructed in 1985, is a unique design opportunity to resurrect a decommissioned jail facility that has been vacant for 10 years and re-purpose through adaptive re-use as a Class A office building. DLR Group's design reconnects the building to the urban context and in the process enhances the urban street and pedestrian environment. Vacated initially due to overcrowding and infrastructure failure, Maricopa County, the facility owner, considered renovating the building for detention use, which was not feasible, or demolishing the 30-year-old structure at a cost of almost $10 million of taxpayer money. Ultimately, the decision was to use highest form of true sustainability by re-purposing the existing facility. The economic driver was the benefit of consolidating leased office space into this county owned facility adjacent to the Maricopa County Courts Complex. Scope Summary - The design of the 278,775 SF building transforms a secure, closed and fortified structure designed to separate individuals from society and completely reinvents it as an open, welcoming work space with daylight and views. The demand for transparency in the building had to be accomplished without compromising the structural integrity of the original cast-in-place concrete structure which also serves as the exterior skin. Creating energy efficient office space with inherent special qualities found in the 225 W. Madison structure would be cost prohibitive to recreate in a new commercial office building. Converting this building to a new use is similar to converting an old warehouse; the intrinsic qualities of the facility such as high floor-to-floor height and secured exterior recreation spaces with potential to become roof top gardens offer unprecedented amenities that must be celebrated. Re-purposing 225 W. Madison is not only feasible but will enhance the civic fabric of Phoenix with an active and vibrant office facility for county employees refreshing a lifeless, and vacant segment of the Phoenix urban core. DLR Group provides planning, architecture, structural engineering, MEP engineering, interiors and construction administration services.
Design Achievement - Through community input and a dedication to do what is best for its students, Agua Fria Union High School District set a policy of continual improvement on three fronts: Learning environments that withstand the test of time; Learning environments that reinforce the professionalism of its teachers; and Learning environments that enable innovative and diverse learning styles. The District’s newest schools strove to build upon the innovations of the previous but at some point, it becomes necessary to circle back around to the existing campuses and make them the new benchmark. The facilities department asked: What do you do when the district plan includes integrating new age learning environments into older buildings with older structures and systems? The integrated architects and engineers at DLR Group created a master plan for redevelopment at the District’s namesake campus, Agua Fria High School, by overlaying a future vision for teaching and learning with existing building condition and future serviceability. The final plan looks to reuse the best of the existing and combine it with new structures to create a cohesive and innovative campus over the course of several phases and years. Scope Summary - During Phase 1 of the Master Plan, the integrated design team was able to find cost effective solutions to integrate the district policy on learning environments into three existing buildings ranging in age from 1957-1999. Each building required a different engineering design approach, but each succeeds in creating spaces that will bring the same opportunities to the students of Agua Fria High School that are afforded students elsewhere in the District. DLR Group provided Architecture, MEP and Structural Engineering, and Construction Administration services.
Design Achievement: The University of Arizona (UArizona) strategic plan calls for “integrating the arts throughout the university experience in order to establish UArizona as an arts destination.” Responding to the need for a more holistic view of the arts across the University and enhanced collaboration among arts programs DLR Group’s 10-year Arts Master Plan envisions the facilities required to ensure that all students have meaningful experiences in the arts and that the arts play a key role in realizing the University’s land-grant mission. DLR Group worked in concert with Arizona Arts, a new university division that brings together UArizona’s academic programs in art, dance, music, theatre, film, and television and its world-class art museums and presenting organizations. Together the team developed six design principles to guide Master Plan efforts: Elevate the arts through great architecture Create shared spaces that encourage collaboration Connect the arts district and other arts assets Encourage transparency / visibility Leverage open space opportunities Remove barriers to interdisciplinary cooperation The resulting Arts Master Plan proposes modifying and improving existing infrastructure and facilities where possible and envisions new construction where essential; creating a visual and physical identity for the arts; linking together the arts pathways across campus; and establishing a framework for phasing future construction and growth. The team created an aspirational vision that prioritizes the arts as a gateway bridging campus and the community and that integrates seamlessly into the 10-year campus-wide master plan update that happened concurrently. Scope Summary: The Arts Master Plan process included intensive stakeholder engagement with the nine entities that comprise Arizona Arts and considered 350,716 SF of existing arts facilities on campus. The team developed a high-level program that addresses current and future needs and requirements of individual units and programs while also leveraging the benefits and possibilities of a new coordinated vision. The Master Plan establishes four zones of interconnected facilities and activity and divides proposed projects into immediate, short, and medium-term priorities. Recommendations include significant renovations to existing buildings, including Centennial Hall and the Maroney Theatre, while also identifying 157,000 SF of new program elements and several new buildings, including a museum and performing arts center, that will fill significant gaps. Order of magnitude costs ranging from $450 million to $520 million were developed. DLR Group provided master planning and architectural services.
Conversion of a 1950s gymnasium into open-environment collaboration learning space. Work included 7,500 SF of architecture, interiors, acoustics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, structural engineering and audio/visual design plus coordination of a civil engineering sub-consultant teammate.
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With goals to serve the community at a higher quality and capacity, Phoenix College teamed with DLR Group to create a Campus Environment Plan that supports the initiatives of the College’s new Strategic Plan and includes recommendations for future development, including renovations and replacement of facilities and site improvements. With 64% of Phoenix College’s existing space inventory in below-average condition, a high priority for the College is the replacement or renovation of buildings in critical need with larger, permanent, and flexible buildings that provide all students, disciplines, and programs with an equitable experience. The Campus Environment Plan reorganizes the campus’s programs, locating academic functions within a dense core to maximize the adjacency between programs and relocating functions to the main campus block. Student services, including growing tutoring and advising resources, are relocated to a new Academic Commons building, and community-focused programs that host frequent visitors are placed at the perimeters of the campus with convenient campus access points and adjacent parking, including a new athletics and recreation center. DLR Group’s Campus Environment Plan adds 610,000 SF of space through the demolition or replacement of critical buildings according to a recently completed Sightlines study, the restoration of original heritage buildings, updated community and sports facilities, a new Preparatory Academy, new Conference Center, and new parking structure.
Design Achievement: The City of Somerton was the largest city in Arizona without its own high school.  In developing this high school near the Mexican border, YUHSD held first and foremost the importance of equity in high schools across this diverse district.  Building on this and working closely with administration and future Somerton High students, the steering committee focused on two goals: creating a school that reflects the pride in the Somerton agricultural community, and allowing for students to leave a legacy by contributing to their community. The design team focused on the agricultural community and the Colorado River Delta that breathes life into this fertile desert region. The conceptual design idea of “The Delta” translated to the shaded outdoor courtyard at the heart of this campus. It is a place for students to gather, to intermingle, to bring the ideas they are learning in individual classes and exchange them with their peers. To allow for Somerton students to contribute to their community directly after graduation, the team built on the strong Career and Technical Education programs at YUHSD. Over 30% of Somerton students are expected to enroll in CTE programs, and the design features each one in a jewel box along the Delta Courtyard. Rather than placing CTE programs in one area at the back of campus, the design showcases them through daily visibility to all students and integrates them into the small learning communities and the core curriculum. In this way, the design reinforces YUHSD’s mission supporting educational excellence of ALL students.   Scope Summary: In 2015, YUHSD voters approved a multi-year school construction bond which included funding for Phase I of a YUHSD High School in Somerton. In 2017, a portion of that bond money was used to purchase land for the future high school, in conjunction with land purchased at the same time by the City of Somerton for a future park. This bond vote and land purchase prompted YUHSD to commission a design study for the new high school in 2019, resulting in a master plan report. YUHSD then asked the design team to begin the Programming and Conceptual Design for a high school that accommodates 1,600-1,800 students. The design shows how a full comprehensive high school, equitable to YUHSD’s other high schools and for 1600-1800 students, which will be phased in over time as funding permits. The first phase is a core high school of 143,000 SF or 1300 students, with an add alternate classroom wing of 14,000 SF. DLR Group provided architecture, structural engineering, and interiors services.
Design Achievement: Liberty Elementary School District is facing rapid growth. The District is supported by a 70-year old campus, several older but well maintained campuses, one recent campus and minimal district support facilities. In anticipation of a capital bond referendum, the District sought help from an experienced educational design firm to provide assessments, conceptual design and cost estimating services. DLR Group’s scope included existing facilities assessments, proposals for renovation and rebuilding of existing campuses, and conceptual planning for a new school and support facility. Scope Summary: DLR Group walked all existing campuses and created a list of possible projects with rough cost estimates and conceptual graphics for each project. Through a series of committee and community meetings, DLR Group assisted the District’s needs and narrowing down the list to fit a proposed small, medium and large bond budget. Our team sat one-on-one with the District to further refine the proposed scope and budget for each project until a final bond plan was completed. The final bond plan balanced the District’s needs and desires against their bonding capacity and the anticipated voter acceptance of a bond value. DLR Group provided support during the District's bond planning initiative.
(NOT TO SPEC) J. O. Combs Unified School District’s schools were all nearing 20 years old and needed both an upgrade to their envelope and their look, however, the District was on the tail end of their bond funding. DLR Group collaborated with the Owner’s PM to create a solution that satisfied all of these criteria. Together, they applied for SFOB funding for five weatherization projects and five re-roofing projects, while planning the work to coincide with HVAC replacement through an energy savings contractor. Through cooperation and negotiations with the SFOB, the team was able to bid the weatherization/painting as a package, and the re-roofing as a package while complying with the State’s hard public bid requirements. This saved the state money, better coordinated the work on the campuses, and attracted more bidders in a hot economy. Best of all, this work gave each school a new public face to accompany the recent DLR Group-designed Performing Arts Center, Transportation Building, and District Office. Working closely with each school’s staff and PTA, DLR Group updated the exterior wall and fencing colors. A touch of bond money created murals at the campuses, keeping the school spirit while giving the schools a new look.
Design Achievement - The Yavapai County Criminal Justice Center (CJC) represents the County’s commitment to evidence-based and purpose-built design for restorative justice, alternatives to incarceration, deflection and diversion, and comprehensive re-entry and re-integration. By focusing the clinical program on the mental health and substance use population, the County expects to continue its impressive reduction of those with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) who are incarcerated and to realize substantial financial savings simultaneously. The success of the Yavapai County Criminal Justice Complex project hinges on developing a clear way of thinking. DLR Group’s process seeks an interaction between the building typology and the context in which it sits, never once compromising detention planning while achieving aesthetic harmony with its surroundings through the careful study of massing, proportions, space, and light. The end goal of this process is to create a safe, secure, and operationally efficient solution that complements the context of the local community. Scope Summary – The criminal justice center consists of approximately 120,000 SF of buildings; including a jail (152-beds, intake, booking, administration, food service, laundry, and medical/infirmary), courts (initial appearance, early disposition court, and judicial chambers), support services (clerk of courts, county attorney, public defender, probation), and a small non-custodial building with a co-located mental health screening facility. Onsite infrastructure and site improvements on approximately 14 acres will be constructed to provide access and utility service to the buildings in addition to the buildings. DLR Group is providing architecture, interiors, structural engineering, MEP engineering, IT/AV, and High Performance Design services.
Design Achievement: A resurgence in interest for the artistic side of high school career and technical education has caused Millennium High School to outgrow their current teaching kitchen. What began as simply building an additional kitchen onto an existing building led the CTE director at the suggestion of our design team to explore how teaching kitchens are different from production kitchens and how they have evolved in recent years. The result is, in addition to a traditional group teaching kitchen, eight individual mini prep & cooking areas for up to four students. Each station is equipped with a sink, hood, and cooktop to allow small teams to learn culinary art in a project-based environment. Scope Summary: Within the confines of a relatively bland context of masonry buildings and only one elevation of the addition to work with the team created a themed exterior with branding signage and architectural lighting. DLR Group provided architecture, electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering, and interiors services.
Design Achievement - Cochise College’s new, on-campus, state-of-the-art Automotive Technology Building supports the College’s growing program needs. Triple the number of work bays, modern, technology supportive classrooms, integrated student social spaces, and office space for staff and faculty combine to create a hands-on learning environment that meets the current pedagogical requirements while providing the adaptability to accommodate future changes. DLR Group’s design creatively utilizes a Pre-Engineered Metal Building to deliver a high bay auto lab, new classrooms, and instructor offices with the necessary audio separation to ensure functional and pleasant education and working environments. The high-bay auto lab space has exterior parapet walls and an exposed steel structure with visible building systems and equipment enabling students to apply the current best practices for Automotive Technology on a variety of vehicle types. The classroom, office and support space areas have typical metal stud partitions with a combination of acoustical tile ceilings and gypsum wallboard ceilings. Scope Summary - The 24,590 SF Automotive Technology Building provides an on-campus facility for the Automotive Technology program students and faculty. This includes a Pre-Engineered Metal Building, epoxy flooring, fabric duct layout, electrical transformer installation, implemented technology to allow for off-site learning, and internal windows that allow students, faculty, and guests to look into the shop and observe the work, and large air coolers that completely change the air once per hour to facilitate the co-location of the shop and administration offices. The facility is home to a total of 18 hoist bays, 2 alignment bays, 2 teardown bays and 2 demonstration bays. DLR Group provided architecture, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, and information technology services.
Design Achievement: When asked to simply choose new colors for an older school within Creighton School District, DLR Group chose to approach the project as a design problem. The owner simply desired a fresh and modern look, but the design team asked themselves, what can color do for an existing project? The Team set four goals that could be solved by the new painting design: Create Order, Assist with Wayfinding, Create Nodes, and Tell a Story. First, the team drew inspiration from the neo-pueblo roots of historic housing in the neighborhood and assembled a mood board of three general color areas based on southwestern Native American art. The District and designers chose one piece that they felt captured the style of the neighborhood and the mood that they desired to provoke from visitors and passersby. Create Order and Assist with Wayfinding: Rather than approach the numerous mismatched details on the building from different eras as the problem on which to apply color, the team chose to make the buildings the base layer of two relatively neutral colors that would be seen as a checker board of monochrome structures thereby breaking down the mass of 13 huddled buildings into an understandable collection. The next layer of order was seen as the “connecting tissue” of metal canopies throughout the campus. This tissue went to the opposite end of the metaphorical spectrum with a bright purple color for maximum contrast and interest against the neutral “base layer” colors. Create Nodes: Once the simple ordering system was overlayed on the campus, the team chose four areas of importance throughout the day of a student at Machan School and highlighted those areas with a geometric but random pattern of bright colors from the palette. Thus creating nodes and designating special importance. Tell a Story: Collectively, the above approaches tell a story about a school that is a campus – a collection of different but similar functioning buildings that are physically and metaphorically connected through covered walkways and shared purpose with collective use spaces that support all and are made important by the fact that we all contribute. Scope Summary: Choose colors and design a painting scheme for the existing Machan School to achieve a fresh and modern look. The project was topped of with new dimensional metal letter signage and will culminate in the next phase with the creation of a pedestrian approach to the school to complete the vision of a true neighborhood school. DLR Group provided architecture and interior design services.
Test Fit for Affordable Housing - 66 units.
Design Achievement - A symbol of beauty, purity, rebirth, prosperity, and enlightenment, the lotus flower holds significance in many eastern cultures. Aptly named, the Lotus Project Chandler seeks to bring these ideals rarely seen in industrial facilities and apply them to reimagine the concept of a traditionally simple and “bare-bones” building. DLR Group’s design contains features and amenities to attract new companies, especially those in the technology and financial service industries, to a place for innovation and creation. Lotus Project will be a unified campus environment with common design features, both architectural and landscape, that will link the building and open space areas with inspiring themes of innovation, creativity, and vitality. The project is planned as a high-intensity employment destination on the 53-acre property. Uses will consist of light industrial, advanced manufacturing, traditional office, and flex office space. At total buildout, the development could accommodate up to +/-750,000 sf of buildings and an estimated 2,500 employees. Scope Summary - The first phase of Lotus Project Chandler is the northern 32 acres and will consist of approximately +/-480,000 SF of light industrial and advanced manufacturing space in four buildings ranging in sizes between 105,000 SF to 135,000 SF. Functionally, these buildings will contain state-of-the-art features users require in modern facilities, such as higher car parking ratios, abundant power, high clear heights, natural light through skylights and storefront systems, advance fire suppression, and efficient loading dimensions. The second phase of Lotus Project Chandler will be located on the southern 21 acres and will consist of approximately 270,000 SF of light industrial, advanced manufacturing, and flex space in three buildings ranging in sizes between 35,000 SF to 135,000 SF. This layout would provide many of the same features as contained in the first phase buildings, with the addition of a flex building that provides a primary office function with some loading as well. The flex use is ideal for many R&D users as well as certain office users seeking an industrial character to their space. DLR Group provided architecture services.
Test Fit for Affordable Housing - 66 units.
DLR Group designed a 7,500 SF renovation of the existing executive terminal at Tucson International Airport for the relocation of Global Entry, administration offices, and General Aviation functions of Customs and Border Protection at the airport. The project provides public lobby areas for Global Entry and new expanded office space for the administrative functions for CBP. New staff support spaces such as break room, weight room, and multipurpose room are also provided as part of the project. General Aviation services will be provided in a larger space providing much needed waiting room space and updated secondary processing areas.
Design Achievement: Liberty Elementary School was the original and namesake school of Liberty Elementary School District dating from 1910 with many original buildings and features still present. Located in a rural area of the southwest greater Phoenix valley, Liberty elementary has evolved its agriculture program into a 21st Century Agri Science Signature Program. The robust nature of the program has attracted third and fourth generation local students and out of boundary next generation students. DLR Group promised to honor their past while leading the way in Agra science innovation by blending the historical character of the campus with innovation in Agra science; designing data-driven, cost-effective solutions; and designing for decades to come. The aesthetic brought traditional rural building forms together with efficient modern building techniques that allow for daylighting, connectedness and general human comfort and wellness. DLR Group designed a campus that blended inside and outside agricultural spaces with the use of glazing, garage doors, access and exterior canopies. The exterior gives a hint of the modern interior spaces on the inside and the modern interior gives hints of the traditional building forms and structures. The traditional forms and rural nature of the area lent itself well to a simple and efficient masonry and wood structural system. Using mass produced structural members in creative ways accentuated the purpose of the buildings and took advantage of underutilized portions of the labor force. Computer modeling allowed DLR Group to optimize building orientation and daylighting solutions as well as take advantage of microclimates in the exterior spaces between buildings. Scope Summary: The Agri Science Signature Program had tremendous opportunities for growth in future curriculum. The building spaces were designed for flexibility and adaptability through time. Durable finishes, operable walls and doors and a robust backbone infrastructure for future expansion of utilities will allow their program to evolve into the late 21st Century. DLR Group provided architecture; mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural engineering; and interiors services.
Design Summary – An evening oasis with mountain views awaits guests on the western edge of Kierland Commons in Scottsdale, Arizona. The new AC Hotel, developed by Host Hotels and Resorts, links the nearby modern mixed-use entertainment to the existing Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. DLR Group's design draws from the surrounding desert landscape offering a reprieve from the white-hot sun and evoking the shadow of surrounding mountains. Crisp white accents and a dark modern backdrop create an unexpected palette that enhances the AC Hotel's European aesthetic by the Marriott brand. Exterior metal panel and various interior patterns, finish treatments, and materials feature repeating vertical elements inspired by the raised ribs on the contiguous local cactus. The design incorporates modern interpretations of several elements of the adjacent Westin, such as a formal auto court that greets guests with palm trees and other drought-tolerant plants. Paired guestroom windows articulate the façade, featuring simple and subdued colors and natural materials. A pronounced roof element unifies the structure's top and provides shade and shadow across the facade. Wood soffits exposed concrete columns, and a masonry base with expanses of light-colored stucco complement the dark, vertical rib of the metal paneling featured selectively on all façades. Custom artwork connects the interior and exterior, echoing the dominant verticality throughout DLR Group's design. Scope Summary - This new, 6-story, 165-room AC Hotel is approximately 88,000 SF. The property includes a ground-level lobby with the AC lounge and bar, fitness center, European breakfast and buffet, intimate private dining room, market, and the AC library, which serves as an informal business center. The hotel also contains an outdoor pool and covered outdoor lounge, expanding the useable space and connecting the social areas to the open-air environment. Attached to the hotel is a 6,000 SF tenant space for a future restaurant or retail outlet. Sustainability strategies include high-performance glass, overhangs, sunshades, natural daylighting, LED Lighting, low flow plumbing fixtures, low emitting interior finishes, and drought-tolerant landscaping-achieving LEED Silver certification. DLR Group provided architecture and common area interior design services.
Test Fit for Affordable Housing - 66 units.
Design Achievement-Sonoran Spine aspires to have facilities that offer state-of-the-art technology and are focused on patient care utilizing materials, wayfinding, lighting, and natural light that promote a contemporary, but non-clinical environment. Design challenges included a distinct separation between clinical and physical therapy (PT) patients, and to have a suite where efficient patient flow could be achieved by keeping each physician, their Physician Assistant (PA), and exam rooms in close proximity. DLR Group’s design solution created two distinct entrances for clinical and PT patients separated by support spaces and created a series of three “pods” with four exam rooms and a dedicated PA station. The pods are all arranged around a race-track circulation organization. The radiology room was strategically placed to reduce cross-traffic between patients seeing physicians and patients having x-rays. Staff and business administration spaces were provided with a separate exterior entrance located remotely from the patient entries, thus achieving separation between patients and staff. Skylights are strategically placed to introduce daylight where exterior glass was not available. Warm earth-tone colors, the introduction of natural stone accents, and the use of general LED illumination and Tech-Lighting enhances wayfinding to achieve the client’s vision of a non-clinical environment. Scope Summary-The Sonoran Spine Tenant Improvement project is a build-out of 9,032 SF located in the Gilbert Medical Office Building. The program for the project includes twelve examination rooms, one general radiology room, one physical therapy room, waiting rooms, public and staff toilet rooms, private and semi-private offices, storage rooms, break room, and other support-related spaces. Construction scope includes new partitions, ceilings, finishes, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and fire alarm/fire sprinkler systems. DLR Group provided planning and architectural services.
As a research institution, Northern Arizona University offers innovation and discovery opportunities to faculty, students, and the collaborative intersection of both. In order to offer state-of-the-art labs, NAU elevates facilities for incoming researchers. In need of a specialized laboratory for a new faculty member, NAU hired DLR Group to design a metal free clean room within an existing science facility. Through a series of workshops with the lab’s users, DLR Group established a scope of work that incorporates upgrades to the existing laboratory space, a new 250SF metal-free class 1000 / ISO 8 Clean Room and ante room. The design enhances operations within the research spaces by offering a function-focused layout, transparency and daylight throughout, and a comfort-forward air flow that meets clean room standards. The renovation includes demolishing walls and resizing the spaces, new finishes, new equipment and casework, two chemical fume hoods, and metal-free fixtures. A high level of technical design was seamlessly provided due to the integrated approach of an in-house team including Architecture, Lab Planning, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.
Assessing the existing conditions of the drop off/pick up areas with respect to traffic flow & recommend a solution to alleviate flow found
Design Achievement: Maricopa County Regional School District inherited the Thomas J. Pappas Schools and set about repurposing them for their unique mission among Arizona school districts: supporting youth that were at risk or had previously disconnected from school. Renamed Esperanza Prep in 2019 in anticipation of their new mission, the District set out to reinvent learning for a highly underprivileged group of children. All schools will become learning communities that foster “joyful exploration and discovery” in students. The District sought to better utilize the spaces and create variety and flexibility to enable their new ideas about teaching. The facilities department first realized they needed to understand upcoming maintenance expenditures and second envisioned what possibilities they had for these new spaces within the envelope of their existing structures. DLR Group was selected to provide an overall campus condition assessment and report and to conceptually imagine several phases of renovation to bring those varieties of spaces to Esperanza. Scope Summary: First, DLR Group’s architectural, engineering and construction administration team studied nearly 300 campus component types for condition and expected issue with the purpose of revealing a five-year plan for maintenance expenditures. Second, DLR Group worked with campus administrators to identify several areas of improvement that could provide the types of spaces they needed. The areas were imagined as light, medium and heavy renovations and were also looked at as “need now”, “need soon” and “would like in the future”. The conceptual renovation plan is forming the basis for capital expenditure planning for the next five years. DLR Group provided district wide facility condition assesssment services.
Assessing the existing conditions of the drop off/pick up areas with respect to traffic flow & recommend a solution to alleviate flow found
Queen Creek USD Energy Study Queen Creek Unified School District wanted the savings from an electrical lighting upgrade to LED. While energy contractors had thrown around estimates on potential savings, QCUSD turned to DLR Group as a trusted partner for an independent energy study and value analysis. The team modeled the existing buildings in 3D and used QCUSD’s energy consumption for the past 36 months to understand usage patterns. Then, using DLR Group’s High Performance Design Group, they were able to confidently predict the savings that a transformation from T8 lights to LED lights would provide. This study gave the Governing Board confidence to approve the project knowing that their tax money would be spent wisely.
Design Achievement - McKemy Academy of International Studies is a public school that is an authorized International Baccalaureate World School. As part of this focus, there is a major emphasis on fine arts and project based learning. DLR Group’s design blurs the boundary of indoor and outdoor learning environments and promotes group collaboration and independent learning. Each classroom area opens onto shaded outdoor space which extends the project-based learning possibilities. Locating the library central to the campus showcases it as both a physical and metaphorical core to the IB program and the campus. The new cafeteria features a full stage appropriately sized for the middle school students, including drapery, fixed rigging, lighting and a green room. Scope Summary - Located within an established close-knit residential neighborhood, the exterior design is single story and unimposing in scale. Neighborhood walkers and bikers are welcomed by a new entry that not only secures the campus but helps define the Academy’s identity as a specialized program. With this rebuild, McKemy Academy of International Studies is receiving a new school that provides flexibility for the program to grow and let their students shine! DLR Group is providing architecture, electrical, mechanical and structural engineering, and interior design services.
Design Achievement: The City of Buckeye and Liberty Elementary School District is growing and a new school was needed quickly. Benefiting from the design efforts of the recent Liberty Elementary School rebuild with DLR Group, the district and design team applied its design as a prototype to develop the new Blue Horizons Elementary School. With similar programs, the design team was able to use the previous design as a kit of parts placed strategically on the new site for optimum daylighting, relationship to the neighborhood and to provide a courtyard-style campus that optimized exterior educational environments. The multi-building solution also lent itself well to this new design as the new school not only was to have larger enrollment but needed to be phased due to funding sources. Although the existing Liberty Elementary School design provided a great foundation with its flexible program and site adaptability, its similarities ended there. Blue Horizons Elementary School needed to fit within the context of the new development it is in and the rustic aesthetics of the Liberty agriscience program didn’t fit the community of this new school. DLR Group welcomed this design challenge to take the prototype and customize it to make it unique.   Scope Summary: From the exterior, DLR Group designers replaced the pitched roofs with parapets for a clean roof line and added swooping curvilinear canopies that not only connected the buildings functionally but activates the exterior educational spaces within the campus. The importance of the collaboration spaces within the buildings is projected to the exterior in elements such as the articulation of the resource rooms in each classroom building with visual connections through glass and identifiable masses accentuated with colored glazed block. The clean lines, pops of color and curving forms provided a modern aesthetic with enough whimsy to remind us all the joy in an elementary education. Taking these concepts of giving life to spaces with light and exterior connections, DLR Group designers developed an interior theme that tied buildings together. With a slot canyon concept, energy is brought to the spaces with angled walls and skylights brightening vibrant colored corridors. Flexibility is prioritized with operable partitions and collaboration areas that allow for a variety of educational spaces for multi-modal learning. Using the prototype as a tool in the short schedule of this project allowed DLR Group to transform the school into something truly fitting of the Blue Horizons community, upholding the goals of community connection, innovation and flexibility. DLR Group provided architecture, engineering, and interior design services. Elevate Narrative: The City of Buckeye and Liberty Elementary School District was growing so quickly that a new school was needed within 15 months of DLR Group’s selection.  This new school at Blue Horizons started with a prototype floor plan from Liberty Elementary School, an agricultural school for the same small school district.  The team saw the prototype not as a copy, but as a kit of parts that could be rearranged for a new site, new school size, and new educational focus.  Together the district and design team applied its educational approach and overall layout to create the new Blue Horizons Elementary School, developing schematic design within 2 WEEKS. With similar programs, the design team was able to use the previous design as a kit of parts placed strategically on the new site for optimum daylighting, relationship to the neighborhood, and a courtyard-style campus that optimized exterior educational environments. The multi-building solution also lent itself well to this new design as the new school not only was to have larger enrollment but needed to be phased due to funding sources. Although the existing Liberty Elementary School design provided a great foundation with its flexible program and site adaptability, its similarities ended there. Blue Horizons Elementary School needed to fit within the context of the new development it is in and the rustic aesthetics of the Liberty agriscience program didn’t fit the community of this new school. DLR Group welcomed this design challenge to take the prototype and customize it to make it unique. From the exterior, designers replaced the pitched roofs of Liberty Elementary with parapets for a clean roof line and added swooping curvilinear canopies to reflect Blue Horizon’s STEM focus.  These canopies connect the buildings functionally, are a way-finding device, and activate the exterior educational spaces within the campus. The importance of the collaboration spaces within the buildings is emphasized by the articulation of the resource rooms as identifiable masses accentuated with colored glazed block. The clean lines, pops of color and curving forms provide a modern aesthetic with enough whimsy to remind us all of the joy in an elementary education. Taking these concept of giving life to spaces with a play of light, designers developed an interior direction that tied the interior communal spaces to the exterior courtyards. With a slot canyon concept, energy is brought to the spaces with angled walls and skylights brightening vibrant colored corridors.  Operable partitions and collaborative areas allow for multi-modal learning and lend educational flexibility. Using the prototype as a tool to facilitate an extremely short schedule, DLR Group transformed the District’s standard into something truly fitting of the Blue Horizons community and upholding the owner’s goals of community connection, innovation, and educational flexibility.
Project scope is to provide design development and contract documents for the construction of door locking systems, security electronic systems and fire alarm systems upgrades as replacemenets/upgrades to existing system at the ASPC Lewis,Morey, and Buckley Facilities within the Lewis Complex.
Design Achievement - The design of the Pinal County Attorney’s Office came from a strict demand for adaptation. Every aspect of its form and composition is derived from natural forces. It is unlike any other building in Florence, Ariz., but rather is a part of the landscape. The design is inspired by the noble saguaro cactus. Its ribs provide structural stability and provide self-shading, which breaks sunlight up into smaller areas that shift continually, preventing any one area of a cactus skin from overheating. These adaptations not only make the saguaro viable; they make it beautiful and distinct. The building’s metal panel skin is ribbed and breaks sunlight onto a shifting and larger surface area, allowing heat load to shift and redistribute for longer periods until natural air convection cools the ribs. Where windows were desired, the wall system is angled out from the building and used as a shade device providing a continuous protective skin. The interior uses sliding glass doors throughout to maximize daylight, create a sense of connection to the outdoors, and provide transparency. Scope Summary - The scope of work for this project was a five-story, 56,000 SF building adjacent to the existing Superior Courthouse. This building is programmed to meet the space needs of the County Attorney through the year 2040. The building consists of public and private entrances, a secure lobby, conference and break rooms on every floor, training rooms, private patio, and offices with all-glass fronts, and an open-air patio on the 5th floor for employees. The landscape on the south side of the building acts as a transition zone from a parking lot with multiple shaded sitting areas. The landscape on the north side of the building provides a connection to the Superior Courts building with access and sitting areas in the shade. DLR Group provided architecture, interior design, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, and high-performance design.
Design Achievement: In the wake of the last recession, the growing Agua Fria Union High School District was able to buy a bank-owned office building shell and, with some interior improvements, relocate their entire District Administrative staff from the overloaded and dispersed previous location. Financially, it was windfall for the District, allowing them collocate their administrative staff years before they thought a new facility possible if they had to raise funds through a bond. The downside was that the building came with a lobby and circulation corridors intended for small office suites and finished with poor quality materials. The District asked DLR Group to assist them with interior design and furnishings selection that would promote a collaborative work environments, exudes a welcoming and modern “user interface” and speaks to the special place the District serves in its community. DLR Group focused on observing a day in the life of each department and how they used their existing space, discussing with the occupants how they would like to work and what barriers were in place for that ideal scenario, diagramming how the departments interacted with each other and observing the “user interface” of a typical visitor. The final design worked within existing walls wherever possible. Departments were relocated to have better access to their associate departments and the public when necessary. Within highly team-oriented departments such as curriculum, student services and special programs, the design incorporated collaborative workspace and the furniture to support that: shared private spaces for occasions when privacy is needed and offices for senior administrators that allow privacy but still welcome visitors. A key feature was a shared “we” space directly adjacent to their workstations that served as a “war room” where strategic visions and plans to implement those visions could come to life. To complete the renovation, the lobby was remodeled within the constraints of existing structure. The immediate feel of the space was uplifted through use of bright color and warm finishes. Security was added where none previously existed while preserving the open and welcome feel using security glazing and electronic access control. Finally large-scale graphics were used for visual interest but more importantly to set the backdrop for an honor wall of District graduates. Although not part of the original goals, the team determined that this was a chance to improve the building envelope. DLR Group’s High Performance Design (HPD) team focused occupant comfort and energy reduction. Ultimately low-e film was added to south and west facing windows; an upgrade that will pay itself back but most importantly significantly improve the comfort of offices that previously baked in mid and late day sun. Scope Summary: The final design worked to remodel the interior of the District’s administrative office building so it aligns with the collaborative ways in which their teams work and to exhibit the values of professional readiness that are in the their motto, Every Student, College and Career Ready. DLR Group provided architecture and interior design services.
Project scope is to provide deisighn development and contract documents for the construction of door locking systems, security electronic systems and fire alarm systems upgrades as replacemenets/upgrades to existing system at the ASPC Lewis,Morey, and Buckley Facilities within the Lewis Complex.
Design Achievement: Originally built in the 1930’s, Wakefield Middle School was closed in 2013. Tucson Unified School District selected DLR Group to prepare the school for reopening in 2020, with a focus on a 21st Century Learning paradigm. DLR Group worked with the district administration and Principal to transform the existing space into a 21st Century learning environment, as well as restoring the existing building systems to an operable condition. The renovated space fosters collaboration and exploration by introducing flexibility and technology into an otherwise traditional classroom building. The marriage of modern furniture and technology with a space that feels historic was studied closely, and implemented in a way that allows the two to complement each other beautifully. Scope Summary: Tucson Unified School District is reopening a middle school campus that has been vacant for 8 years, and renovating it to provide a 21st century learning model. DLR Group and Durazo Construction partnered in a Design/Build relationship to provide fast-tracked design and construction services for approximately 30,000 square feet. DLR Group provided design for classrooms, library, administration space, multi-purpose room, and locker rooms. DLR Group provided Architecture, Interior Design, Structural, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Engineering, and Furniture selection, within a schedule allowing for only 3 months for design and construction.
Design Achievement: DLR Group's design of Silver Valley Elementary School was so popular with QCUSD parents that in less than two years, the District returned asking for a classroom addition. Luckily, DLR Group planned the original school with growth in mind. The utilities, fire lane, play grounds and structure size were all planned for an easy addition. This pre-planning led to a very efficient, cost effective and beautiful addition. Scope Summary: The new classroom wing complements the existing school in both the exterior block pattern and the interior finishes. All buildings are slightly angled on the site to not create an overwhelmingly long facade. By breaking apart buildings connected by a bridge, the addition is both seamless with the original classroom building and creates a smaller, more kid-friendly classroom pod. In the end, DLR Group's classroom addition received the best complement from the District: "There is no line between the original school and the new classrooms; there is just one seamless Silver Valley Elementary School!" DLR Group provided architecture, electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering, interior design and construction administration services.
Project scope is to provide deisighn development and contract documents for the construction of door locking systems, security electronic systems and fire alarm systems upgrades as replacemenets/upgrades to existing system at the ASPC Lewis,Morey, and Buckley Facilities within the Lewis Complex.
Design Achievement: Due to steady population growth in a district that has two urban centers, Somerton School District was granted funding for 2 new schools by the Arizona School Facilities Board: one in Somerton, AZ and one in San Luis, AZ. In an effort to save building costs through economies of scale, both schools were determined to be identical to each other. DLR Group worked with administration and the SFB to design the most economical schools possible, while still meeting the SFB’s minimum adequacy standards. Every space was scrutinized for cost efficiency, leaving the school meeting but not exceeding State required minimums. Through the use a pre-engineered metal building in open spaces and modest conventional construction for classroom and administrative areas, DLR Group delivered two handsome schools that cater to Somerton School District’s needs.   Scope Summary: DLR Group provided design for one school building that was site adapted to a second site. Each school was 22,500 SF and contained outdoor basketball and baseball facilities. By creative use of adjacent ways funded fire and bus lanes, site development costs were kept to a minimum. DLR Group provided architecture, interior design, and structural engineering, and partnered with local engineers for MEP Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Landscape Architecture.
Design Achievement: The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRP-MIC) intends to construct a new, ground-up addiction recovery facility for its “Journey to Recovery” program to help treat addiction throughout the community. DLR Group’s design celebrates and infuses the idea of communal gathering while thoroughly integrating principles related to the cultural values and history of the Pima-Maricopa as well as sustainable strategies for harmony with the natural context. Elements of the program are divided into modular components and articulated as smaller, pavilion, or residential-like masses clustered around a primary centralized, secure courtyard in the spirit of communal gathering at the highest order. The facility and site amenities intend to provide a welcoming, “home-like” environment where community members can receive treatment with privacy and dignity and are encouraged to remain in the treatment program. Building and site elements are designed to operate sustainably, in harmony with nature, and provide opportunities for communal gatherings and private reflection.   Scope Summary: This project encompasses 48,000sf of new construction in a single phase; however, it is planned with consideration for potential future development through allotment and preservation of roughly 35% of the site. In response to the hot, arid climate, building orientation is optimized in the east-west direction, massing is simplified, and openings are strategically sized and located. The building form, related shading structures, and proposed use of native landscaping create gradual transitions and micro-climates from the exterior to the interior that serve as usable space for the residents and staff. Centrally located, communal spaces are celebrated with higher building volumes that are surrounded by lower, more intimate individual spaces. The natural building materiality, both exterior as well as interior, take cues from the locality, historically, to seemingly blend with the surrounding land and mountains. Through weaving the program with the site, landscape, nature, and community, symbiotic relationships are created and cultivated to facilitate healing along one’s journey to recovery. The project includes a 48-bed, 21,000 SF residential unit; resident common areas; a commercial kitchen; intake and detox; and daycare. In addition, a 7,800 SF outpatient building is also included.
Replaced (2) 300-ton cooling towers serving water source heat pumps with (2) new open cell towers with plate and frame heat exchangers. Provided new structural framing for new towers, along with new electrical feeds to the new cooling towers.
Design Achievement: Due to steady population growth in a district that has two urban centers, Somerton School District was granted funding for 2 new schools by the Arizona School Facilities Board: one in Somerton, AZ and one in San Luis, AZ. In an effort to save building costs through economies of scale, both schools were determined to be identical to each other. DLR Group worked with administration and the SFB to design the most economical schools possible, while still meeting the SFB’s minimum adequacy standards. Every space was scrutinized for cost efficiency, leaving the school meeting but not exceeding State required minimums. Through the use a pre-engineered metal building in open spaces and modest conventional construction for classroom and administrative areas, DLR Group delivered two handsome schools that cater to Somerton School District’s needs.   Scope Summary: DLR Group provided design for one school building that was site adapted to a second site. Each school was 22,500 SF and contained outdoor basketball and baseball facilities. By creative use of adjacent ways funded fire and bus lanes, site development costs were kept to a minimum. DLR Group provided architecture, interior design, and structural engineering, and partnered with local engineers for MEP Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Landscape Architecture.
Design Achievement: Cochise College opened its doors in 1964 as one of the first community colleges in Arizona. Today, Cochise provides high-quality associate-level education, professional development, and workforce training to about 11,000 students throughout southern Arizona each year. The purpose of the 2019 District Master Plan is to understand the long-term growth capacity for each of the campuses and centers to guide in future development, and aid in decision-making. The plan included updated site plans to reflect recent projects and land acquisitions, and the creation site planning diagrams to reflect the future direction of each campus and center. The plan incorporates the Sierra Vista Campus, Downtown Center, Douglas Campus, and the Benson Center. A particular focus was put on the site location for the Motorplex Building at the Sierra Vista Campus, opportunities for unused space at the Downtown Center, confirmation of appropriate future uses for the Douglas Campus, and the determination of capacity and growth strategies for the Benson Center. Scope Summary: With the most growth potential, the Benson Center is located 45 miles southeast of Tucson. Depending on the desired development, the plan can be scaled to accommodate from 400 to 1,000 students across the center’s 26 acres. The oldest of the Cochise College locations, the Douglas Campus was located to serve both Douglas and Bisbee in southern Arizona and sits less than two miles from the border of the United States and Mexico. Looking into the future, a new commercial port of entry for cargo could be opened, transforming the region, and leading to significant enrollment growth at the Douglas Campus. Due to the variability in future growth, the DLR Group team arrived at two concepts for the Douglas Campus: planning for growth, expanding the programs, housing, links, and athletic zone, or right sizing the campus, converting the library into an academic resource center, renovating and enhancing the Little Theater, and consolidating classrooms. The College’s most recent addition, the Downtown Center, houses the nursing, culinary arts, electronics technology, and allied health programs, as well as community partnerships. This campus required a recommendation for interior space use, as the College left shell spaces throughout the facility to accommodate for growth. In collaboration with the developing Sierra Vista Campus, programs may be relocated out of the Downtown Center and should be replaced with offices, campus support, allied health, and community-service programs. Located in the most populated part of the College’s service area, the Sierra Vista Campus serves approximately 1,700 students in a growing locale. The College’s main goal for the Sierra Vista Campus is to create a street-front presence using public-facing programs, such as a performing arts center, a campus loop road, and a Motorplex building to welcome students, their families, and the public. Alternative options explored were to infill the campus by program to create districts of curriculum, or to emphasize the center of campus by locating all critical facilities within the expanded campus roadway loop.
Design Achievement: Phoenix Holdings purchased the a classically decorated suite with the intent of creating an office for their company as well as suites for attorneys to lease out. DLR Group’s design opens up the suite for a more modern work style, and updates the look with the client’s brand colors. Light and bright finishes emphasize natural light that comes in through the large windows while community areas encourage employees to share the space, including the break room, a focal point. While a very small space, its functionality is maximized with an island, microwave, and dishwasher drawers. All employees and attorneys leasing the adjoining spaces are encouraged to use this communal break room and collaboration area. This open door, open environment policy with a modern, branded feel is exactly what the client envisioned for this suite. Scope Summary: This 2,268 SF space includes a reception, entry area, private and open office space, collaboration areas including breakroom and copy area, and a storage area for 11 people. A key design decision made by the design team was to take the formerly enclosed 5’x9’ breakroom and, with the client’s requests to open up the entire suite, create an open 9’x9’ break area. Existing plumbing connections were reused, the electrical panel was hidden in a code compliant tall cabinet, and the amount of counterspace and storage was maximized using microwave and dishwasher drawers. DLR Group provided interior design services.
Design Achievement: The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRP-MIC) intends to construct a new, ground-up addiction recovery facility for its “Journey to Recovery” program to help treat addiction throughout the community. DLR Group’s design celebrates and infuses the idea of communal gathering while thoroughly integrating principles related to the cultural values and history of the Pima-Maricopa as well as sustainable strategies for harmony with the natural context. Elements of the program are divided into modular components and articulated as smaller, pavilion, or residential-like masses clustered around a primary centralized, secure courtyard in the spirit of communal gathering at the highest order. The facility and site amenities intend to provide a welcoming, “home-like” environment where community members can receive treatment with privacy and dignity and are encouraged to remain in the treatment program. Building and site elements are designed to operate sustainably, in harmony with nature, and provide opportunities for communal gatherings and private reflection.   Scope Summary: This project encompasses 48,000 SF of new construction in a single phase; however, it is planned with consideration for potential future development through allotment and preservation of roughly 35% of the site. In response to the hot, arid climate, building orientation is optimized in the east-west direction, massing is simplified, and openings are strategically sized and located. The building form, related shading structures, and proposed use of native landscaping create gradual transitions and micro-climates from the exterior to the interior that serve as usable space for the residents and staff. Centrally located, communal spaces are celebrated with higher building volumes that are surrounded by lower, more intimate individual spaces. The natural building materiality, both exterior as well as interior, take cues from the locality, historically, to seemingly blend with the surrounding land and mountains. Through weaving the program with the site, landscape, nature, and community, symbiotic relationships are created and cultivated to facilitate healing along one’s journey to recovery. The project includes a 48-bed, 21,000 SF residential unit; resident common areas; a commercial kitchen; intake and detox; and daycare. In addition, a 7,800 SF outpatient building is also included.
Design Achievement - McClintock High School was faced with two challenges: their campus security didn’t envelope their front door leaving staff feeling vulnerable, and the main entrance was indistinguishable from the rest of campus leaving guests feeling confused. DLR Group’s design solved both of these, along with the request from the Superintendent and Governing Board President that the design look inviting and like a part of the original high school. The new front entry fence line continued the scalloped shape seen elsewhere on campus, while brick posts picked up on the original high school campus colors. The main entry features an arched pergola and its high profile makes the main entry to campus clear to visitors. Scope Summary - Along with these improvements, the team reconfigured guest parking to provide better ADA access to the school, and created two lanes for student drop off to ease congestion on the main road. The Pre-Kindergarten wall was increased seamlessly by 2’ for better protection, the entry for the Dr. Peggy Bell Payne Academy for Academic Excellence for gifted and talented students now is located behind the secure perimeter for more control of campus access, and the theater students can enter the Performing Arts Center without leaving campus. Overall, this project provided safety and ease of use while respecting the original design of McClintock High School. DLR Group provided architecture, and structural engineering services.
Design Achievement: Glendale Union High School District’s bond included a focus on the community and parity between high school athletic facilities. Starting the bond work with their flagship Glendale High School, DLR Group created a complete outdoor facelift for their athletics program. Starting at the football stadium, DLR Group designed a new concession stand and restroom building. This not only provided full concessions, but gave the community accessible restrooms as well as a family restroom that doubled as a concession staff restroom. On the playing field, DLR Group’s partner civil engineer designed sports turf that drained easily and gave student athletes a safe place to play day or night under new LED lighting. Elsewhere on the site, DLR Group upgraded addressed the softball field, baseball field, and practice fields with new turf and LED lighting. Finally, a decades old flooding problem was addressed with new drainage near the weight room. Scope Summary: The District creatively used a combination of Job Order Contracting and contractor procurement through Cooperative Purchasing for the extensive field upgrades. This saved the District considerably on general conditions and mark-ups, and gave DLR Group an opportunity to manage the entire project scope, keeping multiple contractors on time and on budget. DLR Group provided architecture, engineering, and interior design/branding services.
Design Achievement - W. F. Killip Elementary School has its roots at the center of the Sunnyside neighborhood to the north-east of downtown Flagstaff, AZ. As the only public building in the area, it has grown to be the community center of the neighborhood. Yet for all the fondness of the 60+ year old school, it lacked community spaces, adequate learning environments to meet the needs of the 21st century, and modern building systems including air-conditioning. The team recognized that there were three influences that make Killip special. Through a series of virtual interactive ‘deep dives’ with community, FUSD leadership, and Killip staff, the design team sought input to guide the replacement design. They imagined a place that was truly multi-functional that would: have the resiliency to adapt to changing learning styles, allow learning to be everywhere and not confined to a space called a “classroom”, be physically welcoming to the neighborhood and provide space for that community inside and out, break down barriers to student learning and emotional growth. The school building itself is arranged like a pinwheel of three multi-age learning pods around a center core that breaks down the functions of a traditional library/media center into a Creative Commons that is reading, research, arts, music, and science. Each pod consists of two to three trios of connected learning grade level learning spaces around a core that is optimized for that age level. Resiliency of space is allowed by the Pods’ ability to provide a variety of learning environments at arm’s reach. Emotional growth is fostered by increasing levels of openness and age interaction starting with the connected trio of learning spaces, the pod, the commons and lastly the community spaces of cafeteria and gym. Learning is everywhere by the blending of spaces on the interior as occurs in the Creative Commons and on the exterior through blending the naturalness of the Rio with the playfields and playgrounds. Scope Summary - The site is located on a sloping site at the base of Mt. Elden. The design team needed to account for the slope, off-site drainage conveyance and the potential for flooding due to fire damage to ground vegetation on the mountain. The new Killip was designed to be only 10% larger than the existing but through flexible and creative use of space, it would provide learning area for up to 525 students (up from current capacity of 475 and enrollment of 373) even at FUSD’s small class sizes averaging 25 students/class. The building was situated to have a presence on the primary corner of 6th Avenue and 3rd Street while focusing views onto specific mountain peaks. Pedestrian access was optimized to a community forecourt and community spaces were located off the forecourt. Drainage and flooding concerns were turned into an opportunity by creating the “Rio” a large bioswale that traverses the site between building and playfields with student educational paths through and along it. For equity and accessibility, the design was limited to one story but stepped to minimize the cost of grading and retaining walls. The step was used to the school’s advantage by creating a platform in the cafeteria that is integral to the daily use space of the school. DLR Group is providing architecture; mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural engineering; and interiors services.
Design Achievement - As part of a new master-planned community and District growth, Paradise Valley Unified School District needed a new elementary school. Through project visioning, three big goals for the school be-came clear: the school needed to be flexible for change, equitable to their other district schools and inviting to their neighborhood and community. Flexibility and Adaptability: As the District’s newest school in a new community, multiple academic avenues were discussed including varying grade configurations and specialty programs. As such, it was clear that the design needed to be adaptable to whatever path the future held for this school. The design reflected a flexible plan and standardized structural grid that lends itself to quick space configurations for small group collaboration, future middle school programs and/or future specialty programs. Equity in a Diverse District: The classrooms are modeled from PVUSD’s standards but updated to maximize daylighting, minimize glare and save energy. Through engineering models, DLR Group was able to establish the precise 2:3 shape of a classroom and the window configuration that will best enhance the learning environment. Scope Summary - Inviting School and Community Engagement – While being good stewards of public funding, it was important for this school to fit within the context of its neighborhood. Building on the District’s large vision goals, the design took inspiration from the surrounding natural aesthetics and desert wash-es. Buildings are sited to allow for views of the nearby mountain ranges while addressing the street and a neighboring community center. Between buildings, a shaded courtyard is positioned to take ad-vantage of warm weather breezes. The secure outdoor area includes spaces for classes to collaborate and project areas for the makerspace to spill out into the fresh air. A separate multi-purpose room allows the public to use the school’s amenities without full access to the academic wings. Spanning be-tween the classroom wings and crossing above the student population flow is a library. The library is housed in a truss that emphasize school entry and serves as beacon to the larger Sky Crossing community. DLR Group provided architecture, electrical, mechanical plumbing and structural engineering, and interior design services.
Design Achievement – Employees feel proud to work at the McCarthy Innovation & Craft Workforce Center as they walk into this best-in-class construction company’s new building. DLR Group’s design highlights each construction trade and provides multiple amenities to enhance the workplace experience. The design of this space showcases the history and diversity of the company while empowering employees. Alongside ample office space, there is a control room for the solar performance team, three training rooms that meet as one shared space, and a hands-on training space with makerspace tables and cord reels. Amenity areas include The Hub, small cafés, wellness rooms, locker rooms with showers. Four trades are represented inside — Prefab, Yard, Solar, and Craft — with a material representing each trade, such as smooth concrete, dark metals, sleek glass, and ornate light woods. Upon entering the building, these visual motifs work in harmony to welcome each person, the materials overlapping as you move between spaces to create a cohesive aesthetic for employees and visitors alike, all tied together with pops of the company’s signature bright red. Light follows throughout, with custom key lighting solutions and lively sunlight streaming in from the myriad of windows. Cool blues and soft yellows accent general areas, such as the café and open workspaces, to foster collaboration and relaxation. This new building allows employees from across the company to come together under one roof for the first time. Construction staff have a place to clean-up and de-stress after their workday, able to refresh and gather with fellow journeymen. Scope Summary – The scope of this project included 42,400 SF to accommodate 75 full-time employees and hundreds of additional employees who came in for training. Key program areas included the four trade spaces, employee amenity rooms, offices, and cafés. This partnership between McCarthy and DLR Group was integral to the design. The scope shifted mid-way through the design process, increasing by 50%. However, the timeline stayed the same and DLR Group was able to deliver outcomes requested by McCarthy by communicating effectively with the other departments. DLR Group provided interior design, architecture, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and structural engineering services.
Design Achievement - Apriva, a leading FinTech and mobile payment firm, had an expiring lease and was looking to amplify their presence while occupying a smaller footprint. While much of their business has strict confidentiality rules resulting in the need for a secure facility, they asked DLR Group to push the boundaries of a privacy-centric practice into the future of collaborative workspaces. DLR Group's design moves the employees into lower partition workstations that are clustered into four distinct districts, each with a unique identity. The districts are anchored by a feature wall or screen that enhances security and privacy, and doubles as a visual entry. In the Garden, a biophilic green wall is draped with live plants, while neon lights and rigging ropes signal the Entertainment district. Lighting, furnishings, graphics, colors, and materials all shift from district to district. Central to the office is a new lounge café with casual seating. Scope Summary - The new 22,500 SF workplace is home to 80 employees. The design responds to an exacting budget with the creative use of cost-effective materials such as peg board or pallets with creative detailing for visual interest. The open ceiling is offset by "space within space" at collaboration zones. Raw concrete floors are interspersed with randomized carpet tiles depending on the district, taking advantage of a manufacturer program to attain a custom look with a near-remnant cost. DLR Group provided real estate selection, test fit, and interior design services.
Design Achievement - The Gilbert Medical Office Building is located near the newly opened Mercy Medical Hospital in Gilbert, AZ. The area surrounding the hospital developed rapidly with medical office and medical technology to support the hospital. As a product of this rapid development, a small, rectangular strip of land remained undeveloped and was deemed by some developers as “un-developable” for a medical office because of the site geometry. Through an extensive collaborative effort between the developer, zoning attorneys, the Town of Gilbert, and the design team a design solution was achieved that brings life to a site previously written off by others. DLR Group’s design solution conforms to the geometric site constraints and the strict Town of Gilbert Development Codes and Standards. Material choices for the building include masonry, steel, and glass all organized into a clean, contemporary linear form complimented with canopy feature entrances. The use and placement of energy-efficient, tinted glass was strategically limited to maximize the energy efficiency of the building for future tenants while offering maximum flexibility for interior space planning. Scope Summary - The Gilbert Medical Office Building (MOB) is a single-story, 22,136 GSF shell office building with related site improvements and landscaping. The primary structure is load-bearing masonry walls, steel columns and beams, and an open-web steel joists with a panelized wood roof system. Plumbing scope includes new domestic water and fire line service, a primary underground waste line for future tenant improvements, and water service for on-site landscaping use. Parking lot and site improvements include underground water retention tanks, parking spaces, landscape planters with raised concrete curbs, pole-mounted security lighting, and new fire hydrants. DLR Group provided planning and architectural services.
Design Achievement - The proposed project is part of the Avondale Commerce Park Planned Area Development includes a site of approximately 39.97 acres, currently used for agricultural production with no other development currently on it. DLR Group’s design for the site and buildings will be visually integrated within their context by utilizing form, materials, and colors that harmonize with the site and adjacent developments. The buildings have been planned with respect to solar orientation and visibility, employing geometry sympathetic to its site and surroundings. The building entries will be recessed and defined with special architectural features such as canopies, upgraded finishes, and special architectural treatments to enhance the sense of arrival to the project. Building elevations will be designed with all building elevations reflecting a similar cohesive aesthetic. The elevations may vary according to their respective exposure and orientation and reflect the buildings function. The design will be sensitive to the streetscape and adjacent developments. Scope Summary - Other than an irrigation system along the north property line of the property, there are no existing improvements on site. Zoned for office, industrial and warehouse uses, the proposed development will consist of two single story buildings totaling about 650,000 SF. Parking will be covered and uncovered surface parking and will meet the standards set in the City of Avondale Zoning Ordinance. The site will have main entrances for employees and visitors and separate entrances for trucks. The interior of the site will be connected through a series of drives, paving, hardscape, sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, and building architecture. All site and building details will also conform the design guidelines within the City of Avondale Zoning Ordinance and the previously approved Avondale Commerce Park PAD. DLR Group provided conceptual design services.
The project site is an existing building that will be occupied by WeWork on floor level 29 located at 101 N 1st Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona totaling approximately 12,000sf
Design Achievement: Through community input and a dedication to do what is best for its students, Agua Fria Union High School District set a policy of continual improvement on three fronts: Learning environments that withstand the test of time; Learning environments that reinforce the professionalism of its teachers; and Learning environments that enable innovative and diverse learning styles. The District’s newest schools strove to build upon the innovations of the previous but at some point, it becomes necessary to circle back around to the existing campuses and make them the new benchmark. The facilities department asked: What do you do when the district plan includes integrating new age learning environments into older buildings with older structures and systems? DLR Group created a master plan for redevelopment at the District’s namesake campus, Agua Fria High School, by overlaying a future vision for teaching and learning with existing building conditions and future serviceability. The final plan reused the best of the existing and combined it with new structures to create a cohesive and innovative campus over the course of several phases and years. Scope Summary: During Phase 1, the integrated design team was able to find cost effective solutions to implement the district policy on learning environments into three existing buildings ranging in age from 1957-1999. Phase 2 replaced 12 old classrooms with new, innovative learning spaces that truly blend the interior and exterior of the entire building. Combined, these phases bring the same opportunities to the students of Agua Fria High School that are afforded to students elsewhere in the District. DLR Group provided architecture, interior design, and electrical, mechanical and structural engineering and construction administration services.
Design Achievement - Increasing numbers of incoming researchers and a growing student population drove the demand for additional technical research facilities at Fulton Schools of Engineering. DLR Group worked with the Fulton Schools to convert space from existing computer classrooms into new optics and robotic engineering laboratories. The remaining space will be occupied by incoming faculty. DLR Group's module design creates flexible laboratories that accommodate new research faculty with only simple modifications. The integrated design solution involves fixed utilities along the perimeter of circulation corridors with overhead utility distribution and a central chemical fume hood. The carefully planned utilities result in a large, open central area that can be easily modified as research fluctuates. Scope Summary - The scope of work for this project encompassed 3,500SF of renovated classrooms to accommodate research equipment and programming. This included reconfiguration of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing chases and piping; selective demolition of walls and casework; new paint, flooring, and cabinetry to fit the load-bearing and seismic stabilizing needs of optics and robotic equipment; and custom lab modules the increased the adaptability of the space to respond to future research projects. DLR Group provided architectural, laboratory planning, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and plumbing design services.
Design Achievement – DLR Group’s design for the Rehabilitation Building on the Carl. T Hayden VA Medical Center Campus co-locates interdisciplinary programs to synergize efficiencies while also making the services more convenient for Veterans. The new addition promotes the health, independence, and quality of life for Veterans. The contemporary design merges elements of the mid-century original hospital while also complementing the Ambulatory Care Center. Natural colors of the surrounding desert environment are incorporated into the design. The graceful, curved stairway echoes the terra cotta accent color found in other parts of the campus. Scope Summary - The new  37,000 SF addition co-locates the previously separated physical medicine and rehabilitation service with the prosthetics service. Rehabilitation programs include physical therapy, occupational therapy, kinesiotherapy/cardiac rehabilitation, Acts of Daily Living and driver training as well as four EMG rooms and administrative offices. The prosthetics program on the second floor includes exam rooms, amputee evaluation, wheelchair repair, shoe modification, administrative offices, and prosthesis laboratory work areas. A future goal of the VA is to add a third floor, initially for storage and then later convert it to a surgery suite expansion. DLR Group investigated, programmed, and planned the relocation of the current surgery suite to the third floor and evaluated how the addition could be expanded to the west for additional clinic space as part of the master plan for the facility. This design will optimize the funding available and ultimately provide more efficient and functional co-located programs. Per federal mandate, the addition was designed to LEED-NC Silver criteria but will not seek certification. DLR Group provided architectural and interior design, mechanical/plumbing, electrical, and structural engineering. Low voltage design included security, access control, fire alarm, and telecommunications.
Design Achievement - Kyrene School District’s central administrative center had seen no improvements since it was constructed in the 1980’s. Through Visioning with District leadership, DLR Group created a set of small, quick improvements for the overall image of the District Office. Additionally, improvements and/or replacement of systems throughout the campus will serve Kyrene into the future. Scope Summary - The design team first revamped exterior colors and interior window treatments to modernize the appearance from the street making the concrete building feel lighter, and slimmer. Second, the pedestrian experience was re-designed so people no longer walk through an asphalt parking area but are funneled to pedestrian paths and speed tables made of pavers that shepherd them through parking to small forecourts. Third, landscape was replaced with water-efficient and low-maintenance plantings. Collectively, these simple changes gave a new look in a matter of months. Lastly, was to improve the water proofing, HVAC, oil, water and compressed air systems, lighting and electrical systems so they’re in working order, and in compliance with current codes so the District can be confident in having a safe and functional service facility for the next 30 years.
Design Achievement – Founded in 1929 and dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art, the Heard Museum is recognized internationally for the quality of its collections, world-class exhibitions, educational programming, and cultural festivals. The Museum has undergone several significant expansions—in 1967, 1983, and 1999—and numerous renovations in its history resulting in a lack of cohesion among its various parts. This project stemmed from the Museum’s desire to provide a clear sense of place and arrival to visitors while offering flexible outdoor space for museum events and the community. DLR Group partnered with the Heard Museum’s leadership to establish a cohesive, phase-able vision for the courtyard and lobby upgrades along with a master plan to sequence future work in line with the Museum’s functional, aesthetic, and operational priorities. Project constraints included the institution’s limited available funding and the need to maintain continuous operations during construction. DLR Group’s design for the renovation refreshes the existing iconic black water fountains as the focus in the central courtyard and inserts a massive, dynamic video wall with capability for single or multi-layered audiovisual content. The renovated space unifies and strengthens the courtyard’s exterior presence as an oasis within the large complex, while offering a generous area of arrival and a new, clear circulation sequence for visitors. Scope Summary – The 6,300 SF project refurbished the two existing central courtyard water fountains and added new lighting and a plug-and-play outdoor audio system as well as the new 22’ x 4’ video wall. A new circulation flow connects guests departing the museum with other adjacent amenities such as the gift shop, bookstore and indoor/outdoor café. The project introduced three new 16’ shade umbrellas at the existing café as well as new irrigation and landscaping along the water fountain base and in large, sculptural concrete planters. A low maintenance, integral concrete floor replaced an uneven brick surface. The addition of a new locker room and security area and new ticketing and membership reception desks complete the project. All upgrades were sensitive to nearby Historic Preservation zoning and the existing Heard Museum aesthetic while also addressing safety concerns and considerations for future built work. DLR Group provided architecture, interior design, MEP and structural engineering, lighting, and audiovisual design services.
DLR Group has had a long-standing client relationship with the City of Phoenix, providing a variety of design services for governmental projects over nearly two decades. The most recent project involved the renovation of the Public Defender’s Office on the fourth floor of the Municipal Courts Building, with a focus on creating a suitable, secure, and healthy work environment. The design included the incorporation of open space and natural lighting to enhance the overall quality of the workspace. DLR Group prioritized the well-being and productivity of its clients by creating functional and aesthetically pleasing environments for them to work in. One of the key objectives of the project was to create a space that could be adapted to accommodate additional attorneys as needed over the next several years. With this in mind, the design team ensured that the new layout allowed for easy expansion without disrupting the workflow of existing staff. The newly reconfigured space included not only the front office, but also staff workspaces and offices, as well as dedicated courtrooms for both Veterans and Behavioral Health cases. In addition, the design included a kitchen area and conference room. DLR Group’s full-service approach to the project, which included everything from space planning and programming to construction documents and administration, ensured a smooth and successful transition for the Public Defender’s Office into its new and improved space.
This is phase II for Wakefield Middle School; see 30-20142-00 for more info Design Achievement – Originally built in the 1930’s, Wakefield Middle School was closed in 2013. Tucson Unified School District selected DLR Group to prepare the school for reopening in 2020, with a focus on a 21st Century Learning paradigm. The implementation of the new program was so successful that the following year, the district engaged DLR Group to design a second phase, providing more classroom space and capacity to the campus. Consistent with 1st phase, this project provides spaces that foster collaboration and exploration through the flexibility of modern furniture, robust technology, and provides arts and music spaces into a STEM focused school. All of this was done in a way that pushes the bounds of 21st Century design, while thoughtfully respected and harmonizing the historic nature of the existing building. Scope Summary – DLR Group and Durazo Construction partnered in a Design/Build relationship to renovate approximately 20,000 square feet. The renovation included classrooms, a band room, art room, and kitchen to support and augment the 30,000 square feet renovated in Phase 1. DLR Group provided Architecture, Interior Design, Furniture Selection, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
Design Achievement: For the resurgence of the locker rooms and weight room at Washington High School, the owner wanted to elevate the space to a collegiate-like environment with high visibility and to add a new outdoor training facility. The owner wanted to make sure this was a cohesive and comprehensive renovation. DLR Group’s design redistributed locker layout to improve visibility within the space while achieving the desired locker count goal. To achieve this, the team created a layout that had efficient circulation while maximizing locker counts, and, by keeping the central lockers at half height, blind spots were minimized giving coaches and instructors greater visibility of the space. The team incorporated elements often seen in college-level athletic facilities such as in-floor graphics, ceiling clouds with LED back-lighting, an outdoor training zone with a recognizable steel canopy and security fence. Because this was a cohesive renovation the team also addressed issues with the reduced ceiling space and a non-ADA compliant ramp. The ceiling was cleared of abandoned pipes and conduits, mechanical ducts were redistributed and an air handling unit at the girls’ locker was upgraded and relocated to the roof. Scope Summary: The scope of work for this project encompassed the renovation of approximately 10,120 SF of interior space (lockers and weight room). This included re-configuration of the locker’s layout and selective relocation of doors and creation of openings to improve the circulation; new low-VOC paint throughout the space, new finishes that work in a locker room humid environment; wall graphics; hi-lo drinking fountain with bottle fillers to encourage the reuse of personal water bottles; and asbestos remediation. Mechanical improvements to both the AHU and the duct branches helped better condition the space while freeing up ceiling clutter. Additionally, exterior improvements to approximately 5,066 SF for the creation of the Outdoor Training Zone for the student athletes. This area included rubber and synthetic turf flooring to carry out training exercises under a steel canopy that was strategically located to both maximized shade and comply with code. A custom fascia in the canopy creates more shade in the zone and serves as a recognizable landmark on campus. Finally, the roofing was replaced as it had reached its end-of-life cycle. DLR Group provided architecture, electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering and interiors services.
Design Achievement - Since Pima Community College’s first class was held in 1969, they have been committed to affordable, comprehensive educational opportunities that meet the diverse needs of their students and community. Fifty years later and in response to the shortage of qualified workers in local in-demand careers, Pima Community College is investing in a new Center of Excellence for Applied Technology at their downtown campus. The Center of Excellence is a collection of academic and technical buildings that will offer transportation/logistics, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure studies and provide formal degree and certificate programs, as well as short-term training opportunities. Scope Summary - The Pima Community College Center of Excellence for Applied Technology is a complex of two state-of-the-art buildings. The 43,000 square feet Transportation Center includes a total of 27 vehicle work bays including 10 EV-ready, 3 heavy transportation, 3 OEM labs, and spaces for testing and diagnosis of electrical vehicles, faculty offices, classrooms, a dynamometer room, and ample equipment storage. A large public entry terrace provides high visibility to the outdoor testing and vehicle yards, while also connecting to the primary campus walk. The 95,000 square feet Advanced Manufacturing Building includes the pathways of Welding, Machine Tools, Mechatronics, CAD Design, Workforce Development Incubator and Flexible Industry Training Lab, and Administrative offices. A 3 story gantry crane with 30,000 square feet of outdoor learning spaces serves to not only allow logistics of moving materials throughout the facility also but creating a unified connection between trades allowing multiple pathways to work together. The last phase includes 45,000 square feet of the Science and Technology building which will accommodate Building Construction Sciences and Workforce Development Pathways. The buildings include important sustainability features, such as natural ventilation, daylighting, and efficient mechanical systems. The facilities are designed to obtain LEED Silver certification. DLR Group is providing architecture, interior design, electrical engineering, structural engineering, information technology, acoustics, and education technology services. Ribbon Cutting May 18,2021
Design Achievement - Salt River Pima- Maricopa Indian Community’s mission is to support their members in every stage of life.  Their Early Childhood Education Center for ages 0-5 was so successful that 20 years after DLR Group designed the original school, we were brought back for an addition and renovation. DLR Group's design started with a campus-wide master plan including multiple listening sessions with parents, teachers and Community Members. This master plan identified needs for additional classrooms; an indoor space for physical play; and administration support spaces especially for high-need student support staff. Scope Summary - The final design honors the SRP-MIC’s native American culture, their beautiful location at the base of the McDowell Mountains, and their honored flora and fauna. The addition needed to be two stories due to limited site space, but slopes the roof to one story to allow for mountain views and minimize the size adjacent to small students. The second floor's use is limited to staff spaces, heightening the safety for small children by keeping them on the lower level. Finally, a 30-foot tall native American artist’s mural is back lit to highlight the beauty of SRP-MIC’s traditions. DLR Group provided architecture, planning, electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering, and interior design services.
Design Achievement - Mohawk Valley School was originally designed by DLR Group’s predecessor (Lescher and Mahoney) nearly 100 years ago, one of the few historic school buildings in Arizona. Their small, rural community supported their bond of $1.5M to upgrade the historic school and nearly a century of additions. However, over that time the school had accumulated $5M in needs. Working with the Arizona School Facilities Oversight Board (SFOB), the team was able to creatively combine small grants into a full campus renovation. E-Rate, ESSER and Bond money complemented the State’s Building Renewal Grant (BRG) program to complete this work.   Scope Summary - The renovations completely modernized the school from top to bottom. This transformation included new roofing on the 1950’s buildings and repairs to the historic metal shingle roof; new exterior paint that gave the campus a refreshed look; and new flooring. The teaching spaces were completely modernized with new technology and upgrades to the previous single electrical outlet per classroom. Support spaces like bathrooms, IT rooms, kitchen spaces, and administration were also brought up to current standards and codes. Finally, a new flood wall ensures that another flood like the one that occurred in 1993 will not threaten the newly renovated school. DLR Group provided Architecture, Interior Design, and Structural Engineering. Our partners in Yuma completed MEP Engineering (Sternco Engineering) and Civil Engineering (Dahl Robins and Associates).
Design Achievement - Designed to attract top student-athletes to Northern Arizona University, the High Performance Center focuses on the wellness and development of NAU athletes while providing valuable educational opportunities. DLR Group took advantage of the majestic campus setting and designed the facility to fit within its natural landscape. Nestled into a hillside filled with Ponderosa Pines and views of Humphreys Peak, this training facility welcomes all Lumberjack student-athletes. At nearly 7,000 feet above sea level, the Student Athlete High Performance Center has been designed around three major principles: experience, brand, and efficiency. Sited to the east of the Walkup Skydome, this project orients itself on two major elements: the new state-of-the-art practice fields and the distinct mountain ranges. The 140-foot walking bridge creates a dynamic entry point that minimizes impact on the site. The trees and nearby mountain range, strong elements of the NAU Lumberjack brand, are thoughtfully captured throughout the design of the facility. Each space within the building is designed for maximum efficiency, academic purpose, and dedicated training. Scope Summary - A 77,000 SF, three-story, state-of-the-art Student-Athlete High Performance Center features a 10,000 SF weight room, sports medicine spaces, an academic center, practice basketball courts, outdoor practice fields, team meeting rooms, locker rooms, and a Lumberjack hall of fame. The design includes unique features that enhance the student-athlete experience, including a synthetic turf practice field that can be accessed from the weight room, sports medicine and hydrotherapy areas adjacent to strength training spaces, and a large fueling station with open seating. The second level is home to the student-athlete academic program with numerous classrooms, small tutor rooms, and an open study lounge. The most captivating feature of the facility is the iconic team auditorium on the third level. The auditorium features one of the best views of any training facility in the country, sitting above the tree line with unobstructed views of the 12,600 ft Humphreys Peak and the San Francisco Range.
Union Elementary School District has 3 schools, including an historic school house building. DLR Group was invited to prioritize projects for the last $4.5M of the current bond, as well as engage stakeholders in planning for an upcoming bond election. Analyzing SFB records, existing building uses, and building conditions, DLR Group is preparing Union for the next 5 year bond cycle and 20 years of growth to come.
Design Achievement - One of the country's largest county jails Maricopa County Lower Buckeye Jail houses 1,808 inmates in a 3-story maximum-security tower and 2-story mainframe facility. DLR Group's design incorporates three separately operated facilities into one structure that allows these units to efficiently share common services. This includes adult males, remanded juveniles and psychiatric populations. In addition to inmate housing, the jail has a visitor reception area that gives access to a large video visitation center where visits with inmates occur via video monitor and phone. Separate small contact visitation areas allow for secured visits with inmates in maximum, minimum, psychiatric and infirmary housing units. Scope Summary - The scope of work centered on the new 670,000 SF jail facility. Additionally, an adjacent central services facility provides services for the entire Maricopa County adult and juvenile inmate populations. A 120,000 SF food factory delivers up to 40,000 meals per day to the other 12 Maricopa County detention facilities. In order to handle the volume of foods produced, the food factory operates 24/7 with three shifts operating six hours at a time. A 60-bed infirmary, pharmacy and specialty medical clinics serve the entire Maricopa County inmate population. DLR Group provided planning, architecture and engineering services.
Design Achievement - Borman K8 is a public school that serves the children of active duty military members on Davis Monthan Air Force Base, in Tucson Arizona. Originally constructed as an elementary school, the campus lacked several of the amenities that foster a well-rounded education for middle school aged students. Tucson Unified School District engaged DLR Group to provide a design for the renovation and expansion of Borman K8, with the goals of modernizing the existing spaces, providing middle school amenities, and implementing the standards of new construction that other schools on military bases adhere to. DLR Group’s design responds to each of these goals, and provides a new front door for the campus that embraces community of Davis Monthan Air Force base, and revolutionizes the way that their students learn. Scope Summary – The existing campus at Borman K8 is a single 50,000 square foot building that contains standard sized classrooms, a library, and multi-purpose room. Special programs, such as music programs, science programs, and computer labs were placed into retrofitted classrooms. The renovation of the existing building provides for a new administration area that gives the campus a new ‘front door’ to the community, flexible classroom spaces that promote collaboration and project-based learning, and a dedicated performance space for the school’s robust fine arts program. A new 35,000 square foot addition adds specialized spaces such as science and music rooms, additional collaborative classrooms, and a multi-purpose room/gymnasium that will allow for middle school aged children to flourish. DLR Group is providing architecture, interior design, furniture selection, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering services.
This facility was specifically designed to maintain Arizona State University’s position on the vanguard of advanced high technology. The 100,000-square-foot facility is linked to other campus buildings and outside computer networks by fiber-optic cabling. The geology department’s involvement in research and development of exploration satellites dictated accommodating computers programmed to receive and process direct photo and data feeds from satellites proceeding toward Mars and beyond. The Physics Department laboratories, lecture halls and classrooms are equipped with a three-foot power and communications grid system which will support any physics-related experiment required by the department. Each lecture hall is acoustically designed to eliminate standing waves and shaped to maximize the viewing angle for the participants. The Physics lecture hall is also interfaced with the observatory telescope and computer. Audio visual system controls including lighting, sound and rear screen projection units, are accessible by the lecturer from the podium.
Two new additions characterize the Wharton project, as one of four elementary school projects in the School District of Lancaster's Phase 1 facilities upgrade. The smaller one creates a new two-story lobby that serves as a secure and handicapped accessible portal to the rest of the building. The larger addition, at 39,255 square feet, will house administrative offices, classrooms, cafeteria and kitchen, gymnasium, and an expanded library. Other improvements include renovations to eight classrooms; building systems replacement; and incorporation of an automatic fire suppression system.  When work is completed, the school will accommodate 300 students in 57,060 square feet.
Cascading down a desert mountain foothills site, this 2,400-student "mall for education" features an innovative shared school and public library. The 80-acre campus master plan also includes a new middle school and shared recreation fields. In order to preserve the desert topography, pedestrian bridges span the natural washes that run through the site separating the two schools.The 380,000-SF high school and public branch library is ideally sited at the front of the school making it easily accessible to the public. The 50,000-volume shared-use library can be used when classes are not in session. The high school’s 1,200-seat auditorium, also a shared facility, can be divided into three concurrent-use lecture halls with seating arrangements from 250 to 400.The Instructional Technology Center is the control point for the school’s technology systems. Audio, video, data, security, energy management, as well as communication links to individual teaching stations, are located in this center.
Madison School District Lobbies Like many school districts, Madison Elementary wanted to upgrade the security at all 7 of their school sites, while retaining the welcoming, high design look that attracts so many students to their schools. They chose DLR Group for their proved design acumen and for the manpower to complete all of this work simultaneously. DLR Group met with stakeholders from each school in order to make sure each security solution was both in line with the District’s safety vision and customized to each school site’s community. For example, to soften the look of the new ballistic glass each school will receive a decorative film branding their school mascot or colors on the glass, while retaining sight lines for staff.
Design Achievement - Glendale Union High School District’s 2020 bond included a focus on the community and parity between high school athletic facilities across their comprehensive high school campuses. DLR Group has been working with Glendale Union High School District to elevate their High School Locker Rooms and Weight Rooms to a collegiate-like environment. The district wanted to make sure this was a cohesive and comprehensive renovation of the dated space, and most importantly, that the same amenities were offered at both Locker Rooms (Boys and Girls), thus complying with Title IX. At Thunderbird High School, the Girls P.E. locker space had no supervision sightlines, unlike the P.E. Instructor in the Boys Locker Room. Additionally, the Athletic Equipment Storage room in the girls needed to be accessed by male instructors. DLR Group’s integrated design team rearranged some walls and reorganized auxiliary rooms. The result was a P.E. Instructor office with supervision sightlines to the locker space and an Athletic Equipment Storage room that can be accessed without having to enter the Girls Locker Room. Scope Summary - In all GUHSD projects, DLR Group’s design team created a layout that had efficient circulation while maximizing locker counts, and, by keeping the central lockers at half height, blind spots were minimized giving coaches and instructors greater supervision of the space. The team incorporated elements often seen in college-level athletic facilities such as wall and in-floor graphics, ceiling clouds with LED backlighting, and an outdoor training space with a recognizable steel canopy and security fence. Because this was a cohesive renovation the team also addressed issues with the reduced ceiling space and a non-ADA compliant component. DLR Group provided architecture, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural engineering; and interiors services.
With an anticipated increase in student population from 21,000 students to 35,000 students, Mesa Community College embarked on a Master Planning project. DLR Group was hired to develop a Master Plan that would recommend long-range construction and maintenance requirements for the college’s facilities to respond to the anticipated growth of the campus. DLR Group provided design recommendations for land use and future building needs. The planning process also incorporated research and documentation of existing building’s physical condition. Planning parameters included population and enrollment projections, facilities growth projections, classroom expansion needs, space utilization and analysis of existing facilities, plans to eliminate the need for temporary buildings, improve the campus physical image, develop pedestrian and vehicular traffic plans, increase campus feel by emphasizing pedestrian traffic patterns, preserve green space and develop landscaping design plan, security analysis, relocation of maintenance facilities to the campus edge and to create college-wide image consistency. DLR Group provided the College with a multi-phased tasking to accomplish the goals established by the plan. To aid in fund raising and bond issue resolutions, DLR Group also provided cost estimates of each phase.

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