Architectural Legacy of Goodwin: Shaping Arizona's Modern Landscape
The architectural landscape of Arizona was profoundly influenced by a vision that blended functionalism with innovative environmental responses. Through a prolific career spanning several decades, Goodwin developed a signature style characterized by geometric experimentation and a deep commitment to adapting structures to the harsh desert climate. From civic landmarks to an extensive network of educational facilities, the work reflects a transition from traditional forms to avant-garde solutions.
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Key Facts
- Environmental Innovation: Utilized earth berms (mounds of earth used to insulate buildings) and self-shading designs to combat Arizona heat.
- Geometric Experimentation: Pioneered the use of hexagonal structures to create parallelogram-shaped classrooms.
- Modular Systems: Developed the "Sweet Little Unit" (SLU), a portable steel-framed building system capable of vertical and horizontal expansion.
- Civic Impact: Designed critical infrastructure including town halls, post offices, and municipal buildings across Arizona.
- Educational Focus: Created a vast portfolio of schools across multiple districts, including ASU and various elementary and high schools.
Major Civic and Commercial Works
Goodwin's civic projects often challenged conventional aesthetics to solve practical problems. A prime example is the Tempe Municipal Building (1966–1970), designed as an upside-down pyramid specifically to provide self-shading and cooling.
Other notable contributions to the urban fabric include the Salt River Project Building and the Arizona Highway Employees Credit Union, both completed in collaboration with Kemper Goodwin. The Paradise Valley Town Hall (1971–1975) utilized a low-slung earth berm to mirror the residential character of the surrounding community, while the Scottsdale Medical Pavilion (1972–1976) featured a unique wedge shape where the roof of the lower floor served as access to the upper level.
Beyond civic centers, Goodwin's influence extended to commercial and residential spaces, such as the Mill Avenue Shops, where he advocated for the red brick sidewalks that define the area's character, and the Elk Run subdivision in Flagstaff.
Revolutionizing Educational Architecture
The most extensive portion of Goodwin's portfolio is dedicated to educational institutions. His approach to school design was often revolutionary, focusing on flexibility and environmental efficiency.
The Hexagonal Classroom Concept
One of the most distinct hallmarks of Goodwin's school designs was the use of hexagonal-shaped structures to form parallelogram-shaped classrooms. This geometric approach was implemented in several projects, including:
- Aerrowhead Elementary School (1973–1974): The first instance of this specific hexagonal design.
- Bustoz Elementary School (1974) and Kyrene del Norte Elementary School (1973).
- Cherokee Elementary School (1973–1974).
The Sweet Little Unit (SLU) System
To address the need for scalable education spaces, Goodwin created the Sweet Little Unit (SLU). This was a portable steel-framed system built around a permanent core, allowing schools to expand as student populations grew. This system was deployed across the Paradise Valley Portable Elementary Schools (including Aire Libre and Desert Springs) and the Sunrise Middle School.
Sustainable and Open Campus Designs
Goodwin was an early adopter of sustainable technology. Corona del Sol High School (1976) integrated early solar technology, while Liberty Elementary School (1976–1977) utilized light and body heat as a heat supply. Additionally, the design of Marcos de Niza High School (1971) was regarded as a revolution in open space campus design.
Summary of Notable Projects
| Project Name | Location | Key Feature/Note | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tempe Municipal Building | Tempe, AZ | Upside-down pyramid for self-cooling | 1966–1970 |
| Paradise Valley Town Hall | Paradise Valley, AZ | Earth berm integration | 1971–1975 |
| Marcos de Niza High School | Tempe, AZ | Open space campus revolution | 1971 |
| Aerrowhead Elementary | Paradise Valley, AZ | First hexagonal/parallelogram classrooms | 1973–1974 |
| Yavapai County Health Building | Prescott, AZ | Used SLU steel framed system | 1986 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the "Sweet Little Unit" (SLU)?
The SLU was a portable steel-framed building system designed by Goodwin. It featured a permanent core that allowed the structure to be expanded either vertically or horizontally, making it ideal for growing school districts.
How did Goodwin handle the Arizona heat in his designs?
Goodwin employed several innovative strategies, including the use of earth berms for insulation, creating upside-down pyramid shapes for self-shading, and integrating early solar technology and heat-capture systems.
What is unique about the classroom shapes in his schools?
In several schools, such as Aerrowhead and Bustoz Elementary, Goodwin used hexagonal-shaped structures to create classrooms in the shape of parallelograms.
Which of his works were designed with Kemper Goodwin?
Many early projects were collaborations with Kemper Goodwin, including the Salt River Project Building, the Tempe Municipal Building, the Mathematics Building at ASU, and several early elementary schools like Evans and Hudson.
Are any of Goodwin's buildings still standing?
While some structures like the Yavapai County Health Building and Scales Elementary have been demolished, many others, such as the Paradise Valley Town Hall and various ASU facilities, remain part of the Arizona landscape.