PROJECT DETAILS

Cain Nelson Ware & Cook: University of Arizona Mathematics Building, 1965D–1971

  • Tucson, Arizona, USA, Show on map
  • #EDU #Brick #North America
  • The University of Arizona used monumental concrete structures to reshape the campus and express new conceptions of educational facilities.  These cast concrete building pushed the bounds of structural engineering and fall squarely into the brutalist subcategory of the Modern Movement. Funding for a new Mathematics Building was approved in 1965. The architectural firm of Cain Nelson & Ware was hired to design the project and conceived of a two phases building. In July 1967 the Ashton Company was selected as the contractor with a low bid of $756K to build the first phase which included a basement and 4 floors.  The National Science Foundation provided $425K for the construction.  The design utilized exposed, cantilevered floor slabs extending from a central core creating a “+” plan. Brick and glass were used to to infill the space between the floors. The buildings combination of engineering and concrete created a monumental structure. Dedication for completion of the first phase was held in March 1969. The addition of three floors and an ground floor administration wing was fully developed in 1971 and construction completed in June 1972.

    (Written by Demion Clinco, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation)

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