The Environment and Natural Resources Building (ENR-2) is a 150,000 square foot, five-story, $60 million classroom and office building recently constructed on the University of Arizona campus. McGann & Associates served as Project Landscape Architects on the project’s design team as a Subconsultant to Richard + Bauer Architects.

A unique feature of the ENR-2 building is a central canyon surrounded by balconies with outdoor circulation corridors. Each of these balconies is developed with over-structure plantings that provide interest and character to the space while also contributing to micro-climate mitigation. The building also features a large-scale water harvesting, storage, and reuse system. The collected rainwater is used as the primary irrigation water source for the project. These and other features all contributed to the building’s LEED Platinum Certification.

The canyon and other exterior spaces include gathering areas for the university community. These areas have become popular and highly utilized campus spaces.

The University of Arizona Phase VI Open Space project involved the redevelopment of a four block section of urban roadway with on-street parking, to create a campus mall with adjacent spaces for gathering, outdoor study, and the staging of university events. McGann & Associates served as prime consultant for this project and provided site planning and landscape architectural services.

The project required the maintenance of bicycle and emergency vehicle traffic through the site and well as the protection of underground utilities serving nearly one million square feet of building within the University’s Health Sciences Complex. Other key design issues addressed as part of this project were stormwater management and shuttle vehicle circulation.

The Valley View Early Learning Center Expansion project, completed in 2014 for the Catalina Foothills School District, focuses on enhancing the play and educational experience for students. Key features include:

• Creating outdoor learning environments with preserved desert landscapes and a nature trail for educational opportunities.
• Developing inclusive play areas with varied, multi-tiered designs that encourage movement and interaction.
• Integrating shade, seating, and functional drainage into play spaces to support both students and staff.
• Designing a safe, engaging playground that meets safety standards while enhancing the overall outdoor experience.
• Incorporating sustainable irrigation practices, rainwater harvesting, and water play features to complement the natural environment.
• Preserving and transplanting native desert plants, including saguaros and cacti, to enhance the site’s natural beauty and ecological integrity.