The new residence hall at the University of Arizona features a five-story visual display created from 1,000 square feet of Dri-Design’s Ombrae Imaging Technology. Developed by artist and Hollywood set designer Roderick Quin, Ombrae uses an advanced computer software system to cut 3-D pixels in Dri-Design panels. The residence hall houses more than 700 honor students and is named Arbol de la Vida, meaning tree of life. The design for the complex follows two visual themes. One is of an iconic Southwest slot canyon, which can be seen both through the complex’s shape as well as the canyon graphic that is prominently displayed on the building utilizing the Ombrae technology.
The multi-building complex also features approximately 30,000 square feet of Dri-Design panels installed in various applications. The installation includes 10,000 square feet of perforated metal panels and 20,000 square feet of traditional Dri-Design panels. The 0.080-inch aluminum panels were finished in four colors, including Copper Anodized, Garland Green, Aspen Meadow and Green Pear.
“NAC|Architecture was asked to provide an ‘unexpected moment’ at an important corner of the campus that would bring together the concept for this student residence hall project and also express an artistic vision for the University of Arizona,” says Ben de Rubertis, principal, NAC|Architecture. “Artist Ingo Meckman generously provided imagery of a slot canyon, part of the heritage and iconography of the desert Southwest. Dri-Design contributed artisan-level detailing and technology as the three groups worked tightly in collaboration to provide an artistic expression for the building that could not have been achieved in any other way. The resulting brise-soleil is both appropriate to the desert climate, performing a crucial shading function for one of the important spaces in the building, and also providing a lifetime product that expresses the spirit and pride of place at the University of Arizona.”
Architect: NAC|Architecture, Denver
Installer: Progressive Roofing, Tucson
Metal wall panels: Dri-Design, Holland, Mich., www.dri-design.com
