Work

A parking lot surrounded by desert vegetation, with a building and mountains in the background under a clear sky.

Sabino Canyon Visitors Center

Re-Imagining the Front Porch of an Iconic Sky Island

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is the premier natural area in the Sonoran Desert and one of the top destinations in southern Arizona. Flowing water, stunning scenery, and world-class recreation opportunities draw devoted locals and new visitors from around the world. Sabino Canyon and its reimagined visitor center are broadly recognized as the ideal gateway experience for appreciating the world’s most celebrated desert.

The master plan re-imagines the new visitor center as the “front porch” of Sabino Canyon. It serves as a welcoming community space where first time visitors can orient themselves and regular users feel compelled to linger and relax. Arts, food, and music appropriate to the setting serve as avenues to deepen one’s appreciation and understanding of Sabino Canyon and the Sky Islands.

Curved stone masonry walls frame views of the Santa Catalinas and guide visitors to a shaded orientation plaza that is anchored by a rainwater harvesting oculus. The visitor center blurs the boundary between indoor and outdoor exploration creating a singular cohesive experience with the unique beauty of Sabino Canyon. Visitors will find themselves informed, inspired, curious, and excited to return.

A group of people, including children, walk toward a modern building surrounded by desert plants and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
Visitors sit on benches under a sheltered area at a national forest entrance. A large informational sign is visible. A man with a stroller stands nearby.
Visitors explore an interactive exhibit at the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center. The space features wooden interiors, informational displays, and seating areas.
A group of children sits on the floor, listening to an adult, while people walk past large windows with a desert mountain view in the background.
A group of people, including children and adults, are seated on tiered steps inside a modern, wood-paneled building with large windows. A person is standing and speaking to the group.
An aerial site plan showing a large parking area with surrounding pathways. The map includes labels for different sections and trails in a desert landscape.
Curved architectural floor plan, showing labeled rooms and areas. Includes paths, driveways, and vegetation markings.

Project Information

Location

Tuscon, AZ

Collaborators

Ralph Appelbaum Associates, Interpretive Design

Colwell Shelor Landscape Architects, Landscape Architecture

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