yavapai college
president's offices and boardroom renovation

Prescott, Arizona
Yavapai College
2003
Otwell Stroh Architects

T. Barnabas Kane developed a strong working relationship with the college through a series of new construction and renovation projects. We assisted the architects with site issues involved in this adapted reuse project, including renovating a former Arizona Department of Transportation equipment yard and state facility into president's offices, boardroom and events space. Though the site is part of the campus, it is historically separate.

The site's structures are linked by a patio/plaza and walkways covered with a permanent sunshade and flexible awnings. A curved plaza overlooks the campus and serves dually as gathering and events space. Exterior facades were updated to reflect campus architecture while retaining historic elements such as native stone and original equipment bay doors. We wrestled with integrating a planting scheme into the strict, standard theme around the rest of the campus. Plantings of native grasses, butterfly bush and other drought-resistant species incorporated sculpture and hardscape to tie into the surrounding campus. Wall layout and hardscape provide a shaded connection and gathering place for both buildings. Boulders salvaged from the site, low walls and low-impact lighting were used to direct pedestrian traffic.

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