Arizona State University Polytechnic Academic District

Arizona State University Polytechnic Academic District transformed a decommissioned Air Force base into a LEED Gold-certified, pedestrian-oriented educational campus, and created a new identity for ASU Polytechnic. Five new academic buildings house interrelated academic colleges and are configured around courtyards linked by a series of open-air atriums, building portals and arcades.

The five high-performance buildings are integrated with three existing structures to house four distinct yet interrelated academic colleges and provide classroom and laboratory space for engineering and science programs. Buildings are configured around courtyards and linked by a series of open-air atria, portals, and arcades, leveraging a seasonally temperate climate for exterior circulation. These thoughtful shade elements provide social spaces that maximize visibility, daylighting, and a sense of community while minimizing energy usage.

Ecological restoration and stormwater management were two of the main strategies that drove the design of the new campus district. The design team remediated the brownfield tarmac site by removing 14 acres of asphalt and concrete sidewalk.

The design team was able to reestablish the native landscape and habitat, and reduce outdoor potable water usage by 51%. Over 40,000-sq.-ft. of fire lane and walking areas were installed with stabilized decomposed granite rather than concrete to alleviate heat island effect.

Caption about accessibility and moving through the site plan in the shade.

Lake Flato demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of academic programming requirements and they delivered an inspired solution of architectural design, landscape and materials that was carefully calibrated to meet the project site… Ron McCoy, FAIA

Former University Architect for Arizona State University

Buildings are configured around courtyards and linked by a series of open-air atria, portals, and arcades, leveraging a seasonally temperate climate for exterior circulation. These thoughtful shade elements provide social spaces that maximize visibility, daylighting, and a sense of community while minimizing energy usage.

Narrow building sections, solar orientation, and strategic shading devices allow over 80% of the spaces to be effectively daylit and dramatically reduce thermal loads. The design team’s aggressive daylighting strategy minimized energy costs by lowering cooling and lighting requirements. Sophisticated building controls and monitoring systems, including occupancy sensors allow for a fine-tuned building that analyzes the environmental variables and addresses thermal comfort issues.

Before Renovation

The transformation of the ASU Polytechnic Campus replaced 14 acres of asphalt and concrete with an indigenous desert landscape.