Natural Law

Redesign Creates Bright, Airy Space for U of A Law Students

By Alan M. Petrillo

The University of Arizona is transforming the dark, drab Law Commons facility on its Tucson campus into a light, modern space for students to study in this $21 million renovation.

Light wells are the predominant architectural feature of the renovated structure. Images courtesy Gould Evans.

When law students return to using the University of Arizona Law Commons building in Tucson in the fall semester, they’ll hardly recognize their formerly dull, drab and dark facility.

“The existing conditions were pretty rough in the original building because it didn’t allow daylight into the most desirable spaces,” says Tamara Schroll, project manager for Gould Evans Associates in Phoenix, the architects for the $21 million renovation project. “Our concept for the building was to transform the entire experience. We wanted to bring natural light into the facility and make it a place for students to study.”

Opening up the building to light was accomplished in several ways. The old precast concrete panels on the north and south sides of the 111,700-sq-ft building were torn out and full-sized glazing was installed.

“We’ve also installed one of the predominant architectural features of the building, a light well that starts on the roof and runs all the way down to the basement,” says Gary Bagnoche, construction manager for the university’s facilities design and construction unit. “It’s roughly in the middle of the building and it’s really obvious that when people walk into the building the light well will grab them.”

Bagnoche says that the basement area of the two-story structure was dark and dreary, making it a difficult place to study. The law library stacks were located in the basement.

To open up the basement and light it more naturally, a second light well was constructed in the basement’s west wall, thus balancing out the 28-ft basement-to-roof light well in the center of the room. A staircase rises from the basement through the main light well to the first floor.

“The basement may be below grade, but when you’re there you’ll see natural light at both ends, which will completely change the character and feel of that space,” says Carl Gajdorus, design manager in the facilities design and construction unit. “The law faculty wanted to keep students in the building rather than have them leave to study elsewhere, and this improved space should accomplish that goal.”

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The UA plans to purchase a modular stackable storage system to more effectively manage the number of volumes in the basement law library, Gajdorus says.

Renovations on the building began in May, and construction is on target to finish by August, says Brian Brown, project manager for Hensel Phelps Construction Co.in Phoenix, the construction manager.

Brown says Hensel Phelps had to demolish a small classroom building on the north side of the Law Commons, as well as remove a large canopy covering the north courtyard “before we could open up the precast wall on that side and install standard double-insulated storefront glazing to bring more light into the building.”

He adds: “Since we’re working so close to adjacent operating facilities, we had to do a lot of research so that when we did a power outage or water shutdown relating to refurbishing the space, we didn’t impact any of the adjacent spaces. We also had to be vigilant that we didn’t affect any of the sidewalks or paths of travel by students when we were working on the exterior of the building.”

Figuring out how electrical circuits are routed throughout the building has been an obstacle, Brown says. “While there were no real surprises, sometimes you’re not sure how much you’ll need to demo or rebuild,” he says.

The existing ductwork was evaluated as to whether it should stay or be removed, and Brown says that in the end much of it was taken out “because from a feasibility standpoint, it didn’t make sense to keep ductwork that was 30 years old when you can replace it with new. You’re constantly evaluating what you’ll keep and what you won’t during the renovation process.”

The UA Law Commons building was erected in 1979 and went through a remodel in 1997 when the east half of the second floor was added to the structure.

Harold “Butch” Heckel, superintendent for Hensel Phelps, says the new entryway to the building will be impressive.

“The entry and lobby on the first floor will have a linear metal ceiling, and walnut walls will flank the entry and also the interior of the light well,” Heckel says. “But there are interesting touches on the other floors, too, like lots of wood finishes in the basement, especially 1-by-4 lay-in ceilings, and four new 7- by 12-ft skylights in the ceiling of the second floor.”

The mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineers on the job are Bridgers & Paxton of Phoenix; structural engineers are Paragon Structural Design of Phoenix; landscape architecture is by Wheat Scharf Associates of Tucson; civil engineering was done by GLHN of Tucson; and technology consulting by the Sextant Group of Phoenix.

“I think this building will be much more aesthetically pleasing when we’re done, and it certainly will be more open and lighter,” Brown says. “You can actually see all the way through the building now.”

Key Players

Owner: University of Arizona Facilities Design and Construction
Architect: Gould Evans Associates
General Contractor: Hensel Phelps Construction Co.
Engineers: Bridgers & Paxton; Paragon Structural Design; GLHN
Subcontractors: Wilson Electrical Service Corp.; Sun Mechanical Inc.; Kazal Fire Protection; The Border Group of Cos.; Parsons Steel Erectors; Dickens Quality Demolition

Useful Sources

See the building transform in real time at the project’s webcam, along with photos and other information at www.law.arizona.edu/lawcommons/

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