Muscular Dystrophy Association needed to expand their existing Health Services, MVP, Advocacy, Community Program and Research departments. Initially, they wanted to demolish their parking structure and repeat their existing architecture in a 16,000 s.f., two level office addition. After analysis and design exploration, we elected to preserve their existing structure by developing the new office addition just north in an abandoned wash. The new addition complements the existing entrance sequence by introducing a field of northern, vertical glazing that reflects the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. The east wall of the addition has a refined version of their existing stone cladding that draws you toward the covered entrance and provided donor naming opportunities. A desert roof or “green roof” enhances the idea of laying low on the land; “repurposing” nature that is being utilized by the footprint and considering the effects of heat island effect and provides a deck that can be used for fundraising events.

This project is LEED Silver Certified.