NEWS & ARTICLES Tucson Architects
News:
Science Center Architect Chosen
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Tucson Architecture firm's work at the University of Arizona published in international journal
Gresham & Beach Architects, Inc. announces that two projects it designed for the University of Arizona - The Integrated Learning Center and the Main Library Improvements & Special Collections - were published in Educational Spaces Vol. 3.
Awards:

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2004 AIA Designs for Aging Review, Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging - Rubin Campus, Tucson, Arizona |
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2004 National Association of Home Builders Best of Senior Housing Design Awards, Platinum Award-Continuing Care Retirement Community-Small to Midsize, Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging - Rubin Campus, Tucson, Arizona |
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2003 Arizona Masonry Guild, 2003 Excellence in Masonry Architectural Awards, Silver Award, Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging - Rubin Campus, Tucson, Arizona |
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2003 AIA Health Facilities Review, Hopi Health Care Center, Polacca, Arizona |
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2002 American Concrete Institute, Excellence in Concrete Awards, The Integrated Learning Center at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona |
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2002 American School & University 20th Anniversary Architectural
Portfolio, The Integrated Learning Center at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona |
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2002 HealthCare Design Citation of Merit, Hopi Health Care Center, Polacca, Arizona |
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2001 AIA/Modern Healthcare, Hopi Health Care Center, Polacca, Arizona, Honorable Mention |
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2001 Precast Concrete Institute, Best All-Precast Concrete Building and Best Institutional Building Awards, Hopi Health Care Center, Polacca, Arizona |
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1999 Cornerstone Award for Architect of the Year |
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1992 Western Mountain Region/AIA Design Awards Program Arizona State Office Building, Tucson, Arizona, Honor Award |
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1992 Southern Arizona Chapter/AIA Design Awards Program, Arizona State Office Building, Tucson, Arizona, Citation Award |
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1992 Southern Arizona Chapter/AIA Design Awards Program, East Parking Structure, University Medical Center Parking Structure, Tucson, Arizona, Citation Award |
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1991 Phoenix Valley Forward Environmental Awards, Arizona Department of Economic Security, West, Merit Award |
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1991 Western Mountain Region/AIA Design Awards Program, DeMiguel Elementary School, Flagstaff, Arizona, Honor Award |
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1990 Southern Arizona Chapter/AIA Design Awards Program, DeMiguel Elementary School, Flagstaff, Arizona, Honor Award |
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1990 Signs of the Times Design Awards, College of Architecture - University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, Neon Lighting/Graphics - First Place Award |
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1988 Arizona Society of Architects Design Awards Program, Canyon View Elementary School, Award for Excellence in Design |
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1988 American Association of School Administrators and American Institute of Architects Design Awards for School Architecture, St. Gregory High School Multi-Purpose Building, The Shirley Cooper Award for the project which is the most responsive to the client's needs (Highest Award) |
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1988 American Association of School Administrators and American Institute of Architects Design Awards for School Architecture, St. Gregory High School Multi-Purpose Building, The Shirley Cooper Award for the project which is the most responsive to the client's needs (Highest Award) |
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1987 American Association of School Administrators Exhibition of School Architecture, Mountain View High School, Marana School District, in Joint Venture with Finical and Dombrowski, Citation |
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1987 American Association of School Administrators Exhibition of School Architecture, Tortolita Junior High School, Marana School District, in Joint Venture with Finical and Dombrowski, selected for exhibit |
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1986 Combined Student Juries, University of Arizona and Arizona State University Awards Program, Mountain View High School, Marana School District, in Joint Venture with Finical and Dombrowski, Design Award. |
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1986 Southern Arizona Chapter, AIA Design Awards Program, Mountain View High School, Marana School District, in Joint Venture with Finical and Dombrowski (engineering), Design Award. |
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1985 Arizona Society of Architects Design Awards Program, The Manning House, Excellence in Design. |
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1985 Arizona Society of Architects Design Awards Program, Tortolita Junior High School, Marana School District in Joint Venture with Finical and Dombrowski (engineering), Excellence in Design. |
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1985 Southern Arizona Chapter, American Institute of Architects Design Awards Program, Tortolita Junior High School, Marana School District, in Joint Venture with Finical and Dombrowski (engineering), Design Award. |
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1985 Southern Arizona Chapter, AIA, Design Awards Program, Western Savings and Loan, Ina and La Cholla, Tucson, Arizona, Design Award. |
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1984 Electric League of Arizona, Energy Efficient Design Award for DeGrazia Elementary School, the Marana, Arizona School District in Joint-Venture with Finical & Dombrowski. |
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1984 State of Arizona Historic Preservation Special Achievement Award for The Manning House. |
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1983 American Concrete Institute, Western Savings and Loan Building, Ina & LaCholla, Tucson, Arizona, Outstanding Concrete Award. |
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1983 American Concrete Institute, Tortolita Junior H.S., Marana, Arizona School District, Outstanding Concrete Award. |
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1982 Arizona Society of Architects Design Awards Program. Renovation of the Steinfeld Mansion, Tucson, Arizona, Honor Award. |
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1981 Arizona Society of Architects Design Awards Program Western Savings & Loan, Camino Seco & Broadway, Tucson, Arizona, Merit Design Award. |
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1980 Arizona Society of Architects Design Awards Program Greenlee County Correctional Facility, Clifton, Greenlee County, Arizona, Merit Design Award. |
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1980 Electric League of Arizona Energy Efficient Design Award Sharlot Hall Museum Services Building, Prescott, Arizona, Merit Design Award. |
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1980 Roy P. Drachman Award for Commercial Architecture presented by the Graduating Class of the College of Architecture, University of Arizona, Valley National Bank, River Road & Campbell Office, Tucson, Arizona, Runner-up. |
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1979 Arizona Society of Architects Design Awards Program Casas Adobes Post Office, Tucson, Arizona, Merit Design Award. |
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1978 Arizona Society of Architects Design Awards Program Navajo County Governmental Center, Holbrook, Navajo County, Arizona, Merit Design Award. |
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1978 Arizona Society of Architects/Governor's Commission for the
Handicapped, Barrier Free Design Awards Program Navajo County Governmental Center, Holbrook, Navajo County, Arizona, Honor Award. |
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1969 AIA/Sunset Magazine Home Design Awards Program Citation, James Gresham Residence, Tucson, Arizona. |
Testimonials:
“What was most impressive was their consultative nature. Every library staff member had an opportunity to discuss his or her workspace and to give feedback on the design. Their creativity, out-of-the-box thinking and flexibility make them an enjoyable and stimulating firm to work with. And their professionalism – timelines, commitment and reliability are extremely reassuring.” (Main Library Improvements and Special Collections)
• Carla J. Stoffle
Dean of Libraries and Center for Creative Photography
University of Arizona
“It is with great professional enthusiasm that we recommend the firm of Gresham & Beach. The fact that the firm stayed committed to our project through many iterations over the span of 7 years is one of the reasons we can so firmly endorse them. The other reasons speak to their competence, integrity and ability to take a dream and make it a beautiful reality, all the while dealing with the bureaucracy and changing players inherent to a state institution.” (Integrated Learning Center)
• Lynne M. Tronsdal
Associate Dean
ILC User Groups' Project Manager University of Arizona
“The firm's professional competence can be seen – you just need to walk the arcades and classroom space of this building to confirm their ability to conceive a design with limited space, limited dollars and unlimited need to blend into its surroundings in a very unintrusive manner. The originality and brilliance of their design strikes all who see it.” (Integrated Learning Center)
• Lynne M. Tronsdal
Associate Dean
ILC User Groups' Project Manager University of Arizona
“What cannot be seen are the intrinsic qualities that make up a desired partner in any venture: integrity and commitment. (Gresham & Beach Architects') commitment to our project never wavered…they have stayed the course, always keeping their eye on the details as well as to the overall mission of the building.” (Integrated Learning Center)
• Lynne M. Tronsdal
Associate Dean
ILC User Groups' Project Manager University of Arizona
“The extraordinary success of this beautiful building is all the more remarkable given the extremely tight base budget of $52.00/GSF for the building and site work…the team's design cost control and attention to detail were largely responsible for the financial success of this project.” (Tucson Computer Operations Center)
• Gary L. Molenda
Development Group Manager
Business Development Finance Corporation
“We sincerely appreciate the opportunity we had to work with you and your talented staff. You and your firm are an asset to Tucson and its architectural community.” (Tucson Computer Operations Center)
• Gary L. Molenda
Development Group Manager
Business Development Finance Corporation
“We have found Gresham & Beach Architects' professional staff to be very capable and competent, their fees to be competitive and their work tasks completed in a timely fashion.” (various projects)
• James W. Palmer
Chief Operating Officer
Radiology Ltd., P.L.C.
“I have worked closely with Gresham & Beach on a number of projects over the years. It is always a relief working with experienced firms, as the stress and workload are reduced dramatically. I have always appreciated their in-depth understanding of the issues involved such as patient flow, technician and radiologist comfort, equipment layout, etc. They closely oversee the project in order to maintain costs and turnaround times." (various projects)
• Marty Wyzga
Senior Project Manager
Siemens Medical Solutions, Inc.
“I think the architect and the owner did a fantastic job with respect to utilizing the real estate and making it an attractive building that works with the existing campus buildings.” (Integrated Learning Center)
• Dennis L. Martin
Project Manager
Target General Inc.
“This is going to be the most high-tech building on campus. We have integrated things into the flexibility of all the walls and floors so professors can use an infinite variety of methods to deliver their messages.” (Integrated Learning Center)
• James R. Black
Senior Construction Manager
Heery International, Inc.
“The lobby's natural light is beautiful. It feels both lit and shaded, a temperate place in a beautiful, but extreme, environment.” (Hopi Healthcare Center)
• Francis Pitts
Principal, Architecture Plus
2001 President of AIA Academy of Architecture for Health
Judge of AIA/Modern Healthcare 2001 Design Awards
“During the course of the project, there have been a number of documentation problems and I am very grateful and appreciative of your patience and professionalism in helping us resolve the various issues. The success of the project is, to a large extent, due to your own considerable efforts.” (Integrated Learning Center)
• Steve Carter
Principal
Arup
“This project was a significant architectural challenge, due in no small part to its relationship with the adjacent historic Manning House, location in a floodplain, and extremely constrained site. Your sensitive and elegant architectural concept is at once at home in its historic setting, while leaving no doubt that it is a contemporary building.” (Tucson Computer Operations Center)
• Gary L. Molenda
Development Group Manager
Business Development Finance Corporation
“(We) have had the pleasure of being partners with Gresham & Beach Architects on numerous medical projects over the last twenty years. Medical projects always require close coordination between city officials, engineers, users and contractors. Our team has been successful in completing these projects, while being conscientious of the clients' needs – whether it is costs, time constraints or special construction methods. The professionalism that Gresham & Beach brings into a project always makes working with them a pleasure.” (various projects)
• Dennis G. Cole
President
Division II Construction Co., Inc.
Associate Dean
ILC User Groups' Project Manager University of Arizona
“As with all construction projects, good communication is critical for success, and especially for renovation work. Our experience with Gresham & Beach Architects has been outstanding. Communication has been open and honest at all times, with all parties sharing the same vision – delivering a quality project on time. The team from Gresham & Beach Architects has responded quickly throughout the RFI and submittal process. All financial matters have been equitably resolved. Their communication on subcontractor issues has been thorough and fair at all times.” (Main Library Improvements and Special Collections)
• Gideon Zeidler
Vice President
Joe E. Woods General Contracting
“The firm was a pleasure to work with. They are very responsive when issues arise. The library was very pleased with the services and especially with the quality of design that was done. They showed an exemplary commitment to this project. They were always available and their ability to communicate with the users was especially important. Because of their concern and constant monitoring of the project during design, the project bid on budget (actually significantly under)… I would work with them again anytime.” (Main Library Improvements and Special Collections)
• May Carr
Design Project Manager
Facilities Design and Construction
University
“The Project Architect, George Casey, and the Project Construction Services Representative, John Carr, provided the project with exemplary services at the job site. Both should be commended for their organization and coordination efforts, as well as overall time spent on the project. The project started out very complicated with phasing utilized for different areas of the three Main Library pods. Subsequently, George and John efficiently coordinated with the User Representative and the General Contractor's team to facilitate clarifications, revisions and additional work. The University of Arizona appreciates the diligence and overall efforts of George and John for a job well done and look forward to work with the staff of Gresham & Beach Architects in the future.” (Main Library Improvements and Special Collections)
• Richard L. Martinez
Construction Project Manager
Facilities Design and Construction
University of Arizona
“I admire him Jim Gresham a great deal. He's a good architect and a good guy. (And unlike many heads of architectural firms,) he's still the guy who does the design.”
• Kirby Lockard
Professor Emeritus
College of Architecture
University of Arizona
“Jim (Gresham) is a modern master of creative brick use.”
• R. Brooks Jeffery
Curator of Preservation Studies
College of Architecture
University of Arizona
“These rooms are perfectly astonishing.” (Integrated Learning Center)
• Michael Gottfredson
Former Vice President for Undergraduate Education
University of Arizona
“I'm fighting to get back. I've got to be here. This room is acoustically perfect.” (Integrated Learning Center)
• Jeffrey Warburton
Professor of Theater Arts
University of Arizona
“It's a facility we are so proud of and one that is needed by our community.” (St. Luke's Home in the Desert).
• Dianne DeGroff
Development Director
St. Luke's Home in the Desert
“The architect deserves an A-plus.” (Integrated Learning Center)
• Thomas A. Fleming
Professor of Astronomy
University of Arizona
“A survey of 800 students showed most were ‘overwhelmingly delighted' with the ILC. More than 120 instructors teach here – in a survey, all but two responding said they wanted to teach here again…We've set a new standard for what needs to be in a classroom.”
• Beth Harrison
Associate Director of the Teaching Center/Integrated Learning Center
University of Arizona
“It is a beautifully designed building and incorporates masonry in creative and striking ways. Thank you for contribution so sensitively to the built environment of Arizona.” (Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging)
• Richard A. Eribes, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
University of Arizona