It is rare that an architectural feature becomes the identifier for an entire district but that is the case with the dramatic central structure of ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. Named SkySong by its designer, Harry Cobb of Pei Freed Cobb, the 120-foot tall tensile structure anchors the 42-acre site with an iconic shade structure. Envisioned as a vital civic space surrounded by ethnic restaurants, cafes, bookstores and shops, SkySong is the inspiration for the centers name and logo. The area beneath is not only the cross roads of the project but the symbolic center of global enterprise for the region.
SkySong is a mixed-use project consisting of 1.2 million square feet of office, research and retail space, and a hotel /conference center at full build-out. In addition to the commercial space, SkySong will include multi-family residential units. Anchored by the iconic SkySong shade structure, it is built around a densely landscaped grand boulevard lined by ground-floor shops and restaurants with offices above. SkySong will serve the needs of businesses, research and technology industry and academia while building vital networks between university innovations, regional progress and the global technology industry.
Two 4-story buildings, each approximately 150,000 square feet, frame the Eastern half of the east-west boulevard intersecting the center. Built with flexibility in mind, the buildings are designed to accommodate any tenant's space needs whether small start-up companies, expanding businesses or regional operations.
Using a palette of soft hues and natural desert materials, the buildings create a casual, relaxing backdrop for the stunning SkySong shade structure that captures the imagination of all those that experience it.
Because we understand there will be constantly changing technologies that will need adaptation, the center will have abundant and redundant power and robust band width capabilities to integrate state-of-the-art digital infrastructure into flexible office and research space.
The perimeter will be landscaped with dense native vegetation, screening parking and creating inviting open spaces. By adopting innovative and environmental programs into the construction, SkySong will be the largest privately funded LEED certified project in Arizona.