The goal of the design was to assimilate the facility with the community's ethnicity, according to Project Architect Kristina Robinson of Leo A Daly in Phoenix, AZ. “In working with the Pueblo [tribe], we tried to reflect the vision and culture of the Pueblo in the design,†said the architect. “That included its placement in the landscape and the vocabulary of the architecture. The goal was really to create a unique and dynamic design that was a positive reflection of the tribe and its values.â€
Another element for the design was to use only natural materials. “We had investigated the use of some faux or some simulated material, but we really wanted a true representation of the materials that were in the facility,†explained Robinson. “Once we made that decision, then we looked to what was available regionally, and [the sandstones] are both regionally available stones. So again, [the goal was] trying to pull in elements of their culture and their history through the use of natural material as well.â€