Sixth Street Residence Hall at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.
People: Architect, NAC|Architecture, Denver; installer, Progressive Roofing, Tucson
Products: This striking new residence hall features an application of Holland, Mich.–based Dri-Design’s new Ombrae imaging technology. Ombrae was developed by artist and Hollywood set designer Roderick Quin and uses advanced computer software to cut three-dimensional pixels in metal panels. In addition to the five-story visual that utilizes 1,000 square feet of material, approximately 30,000 square feet of panels were installed in various applications on the multibuilding complex. The applications include 10,000 square feet of perforated panels plus 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.
Fine Points: The residence hall will house more than 700 honor students and is named Arbol de la Vida, which means tree of life. The design for the complex features an iconic Southwest slot canyon that can be seen through the complex’s shape as well as the canyon graphic that is prominently displayed on the building. Artist Ingo Meckman provided the imagery that was brought to life with Ombrae technology.