Events > Tilt-Up Convention and Expo 2024 - Phoenix > SESSION

Tilt-Up Design Exploration [Tour]

October 9, 2024 from 10:30am to 3:30pm Mountain Standard Time

Load Bus Near TCA Registration Counter

[Select only one tour] Join us for an exclusive tour of three remarkable tilt-up architectural projects in the greater Phoenix area, each showcasing innovative design and sustainable construction practices. Our first stop is Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West, a cultural gem that blends modernity with the rugged beauty of the American West, featuring award-winning tilt-up concrete panels with unique textures. Next, we visit the Scottsdale Community College Cloud Song Center, a striking example of architecture that bridges cultural identities, incorporating traditional elements of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community into its design. Finally, we explore the OdySea Aquarium, Arizona’s largest aquarium, where the exterior panels' undulating wave patterns symbolize the journey of water and its essential role in the desert environment. This tour offers a comprehensive look at how tilt-up construction can create functional, beautiful, and sustainable spaces.

All tours include lunch and charter bus transportation. Attendees may select one tour option at registration. Space is limited.

Tour Stop 1: Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West Located in Scottsdale’s historic arts district, the Museum of the West exemplifies the harmony of sustainable design and cultural homage. This innovative structure highlights integrated project delivery (IPD) and integrative environmental design, merging modern architectural techniques with a deep respect for the rugged beauty of the American West. The museum’s tilt-up concrete and pre-engineered steel structures provide durability and thermal efficiency, while low-E glazing and exterior shading reduce heat gain. Recognized for its excellence, this project received awards from the American Concrete Institute and the Tilt-Up Concrete Association. Visitors will appreciate the board-formed texture of the concrete panels, reflecting the unique aesthetics of saguaro cactus spines, and the museum’s dedication to sustainability and resource efficiency.

Tour Stop 2: Scottsdale Community College Cloud Song Center The Cloud Song Center at Scottsdale Community College is a striking example of how architecture can bridge diverse cultural identities. The design integrates the needs of both the Business School and the Indigenous Scholars Institute, reflecting the history and traditions of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRP-MIC). The building features distinct materials and design elements, such as the saguaro rib design in the tilt-up concrete panels, which symbolize the release of spirits according to SRP-MIC beliefs. The center’s layout offers a physical connection to the campus and a visual connection to the adjacent Red Mountain, with outdoor spaces for events, embodying the educational and cultural aspirations of the community.

Tour Stop 3: OdySea Aquarium The OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale is a marvel of both engineering and environmental storytelling. This multi-level facility, the largest aquarium in Arizona, holds over 2 million gallons of water and features more than 65 exhibits and 370 species. The exterior tilt-up concrete panels are designed with patterns that represent the journey of a raindrop from the sky to the rivers and oceans, emphasizing the importance of water in the desert. Inside, visitors can experience interactive and educational exhibits, including the world’s only revolving aquarium experience. The aquarium’s design and construction celebrate the power and necessity of water, creating a captivating and immersive environment for guests of all ages.