Archis Exhibition

Museum and archive extension for the Tohono O'odham at the University of Arizona

The Archis Exhibition is derived from the spatial opportunities that result from the pushing and pulling of geometric volumes in order to create a hybrid typology; industrially-sublime, yet seemingly autonomous. These volumes, or abstractions, are derived from the rhythm and forms found in the existing historic Arizona State Museum with an emphasis on the arch. The arches are abstracted into lightweight halls of glass and copper and are then stretched and sliced with regard to the figure-ground relationship of interstitial spaces. The interconnecting halls encompass the user with light, nature and geometric proportion whilst the resulting interstitial spaces guide the user through a procession of compressive and expansive spaces in an effort to re-engage with the public edge.  The public edge, currently the surrounding greenspace, now acts as a buffer for public forum; a place for placeless-ness and mis-identity.

The existing program is to be stripped and simplified and the northern additions are to be removed in order to re-engage with the campus on an elevation currently devoid of student life. A cafe, a retail shop and a student lounge are then added to the newly-arranged program in order to draw in pedestrians and create a new student presence. Finally, the entire footprint is then encircled by a woven steel skin that provides solar shading resulting in reduced glare and thermal gain. The woven skin pays a subtle compliment towards the Arizona State Museum and the AIS, as well as the Tohono O’odham tribe, the origins of our place.