McCord Hall sits adjacent to Palm Walk, ASU’s major pedestrian walkway. The building and courtyard accommodate campus circulation paths to form a body reminiscent of the smooth and organic curves of a canyon.

Exposed concrete on the interior and exterior of the project holds rebar and post-tension cables that are cast into the structure.

Projecting metal fins shield and shadow the deep, vertical windows, and cause shadows to lengthen and shorten with the movement of the sun, expressing Arizona’s natural elements as dynamic art forms. Concave and convex curves accentuate the suns movement across the building surface and the oculus reflects both sunlight during the day and LED lighting at night.

Photo-voltaic panels were installed on the roof, adding to the campus-wide initiative harvesting sunlight to provide electricity to the school, which are currently generating 403 kWh per day.

During construction, KPF implemented strategies to reduce the building’s impact on its surroundings. One strategy included mulching and processing the trees cut down on the site, then using this as fertilizer around campus. One existing eucalyptus tree was given to the ASU School of Art, where pieces were turned into artistic plates.

McCord Hall at Arizona State University received the highest honor from Brick in Architecture Awards. The building for the W.P. Carey School of Business was named the Best in Class in Higher Education. The project reflects the world-class caliber of the School’s learning, social, and research programs, and sustainability aspirations.