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Design Approach & Greening Initiative

Very few buildings ever echo and hold such rich history, profound stories and personal memories as the Thunderbird Tower. It is an architectural legacy to be honored. As an architect, I am honored to assist in not only preserving that history but in architecturally celebrating it with today’s Thunderbird generations and facilitating those future stories, memories and the history yet to be.

—Steven Brenden
Drewett + Brenden Architecture

Design Approach

The Thunderbird Veterans and Alumni Tower Restoration Committee selected Drewett + Brenden Architecture to realize the design goals of the Tower renovation because of the firm’s commitment to environmentally responsive design and architecture. Steven Brenden has been working closely with the committee to identify program needs and design intent for the historically significant building.

"I see this as the perfect union between Thunderbird’s long historical traditions and its future as a leader in sustainable international business.

What better setting than in the original flight control tower, reborn using green building techniques, for students to socialize and come up with ideas for sustainable international business?"

—Mick Dalrymple ‘98,
Aka Green
LEED principles will guide the restoration to achieve the highest levels of sustainable design and construction.

Greening Initiative

Seizing the opportunity to merge Thunderbird’s proud history with the school’s commitment to a sustainable future, the Tower Restoration will utilize the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system.

LEED principles will guide the restoration to achieve the highest levels of sustainable design and construction. Green building practices will include:

  • Salvaging and re-purposing an existing structure for new use
  • Water-saving techniques
  • Natural lighting to increase the quality of the interior space while decreasing energy use
  • Reuse of materials and use of renewable construction materials
  • Safeguarding indoor environmental quality
  • Designing exterior landscaping to fit with the campus greening initiative
  • Innovation in design

Upon completion, Thunderbird’s conversion of its flagship building will be an emphatic statement of commitment to environmental sustainability.