Located on the southwest corner of the University of Utah’s historic Presidents Circle, the Crocker Science Center is the physical gateway to the university proper. EDA worked creatively to design a sensitive adaptation and expansion of the neoclassical library (constructed in 1935) and facilitate an exciting, collaborative environment for cutting-edge knowledge creation.
Our design supports the College of Science’s new science curriculum and delivery system with an innovative project and team-based approach to science pedagogy. Visual openness, blurred lab group boundaries, shared instrumentation and diverse social settings all inspire science and technology transfer, expanding scientific expertise beyond the traditions of respective disciplines. Visual openness, blurred lab group boundaries, shared instrumentation and diverse social settings all serve to inspire science and technology transfer – expanding scientific expertise beyond the traditions of respective disciplines. All teaching laboratories in the building are highly advanced and connected to group discussion areas in order to accommodate a wide-range of teaching styles and activities.
The state-of-the-art teaching facility houses the University of Utah’s College of Education, the Tanner Dance Program and College of Fine Arts. Additionally it features a new collaborative research area and new faculty and administrative offices for the College of Education. The space promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration through a well-conceived dynamic framework for bringing people together in a vibrant and inspiring setting. A single circulation spine connects the building’s entrances and public gathering areas, resulting in an internal "street" supporting meeting, socializing, dining and studying. Transparent to both indoor and outdoor activities, the street’s walls expose a vibrant culture of shared community.
The design was informed by the University’s Climate Action Plan and – through careful planning and design -- achieves over 40 percent savings on energy usage over typical facilities of its kind. Alongside classrooms and offices, the facility's spaces include rehearsal studios, rehearsal/performance space, visual arts studios, costume design and fabrication shop, technology-supported classroom spaces and large multipurpose/lecture space.
Positioned in the heart of West Valley City’s new urban core, the Fairbourne Station Office Tower is designed to attract local and national businesses due to its customizable tenant spaces and proximity to the airport, highways and mass transit. The tower’s skyline-defining solar array serves as both a striking design feature and functional power source, with 698 panels capable of providing an estimated annual production of 330,000 kWh.
A sleek facade of brick, metal panels and glass curtain walls enhance the building’s modern aesthetic, while the cherry wood veneer lobby, polished concrete floors and etched glass panels add to its refined interior. As a central hub of West Valley City's Redevelopment Plan, the tower sets architectural standards for future developments.
Melding tradition with modernity, we balanced dedicated spaces with fundamental science education and adaptable layouts to provide a hub for scientific education, exploration and collaboration. To prepare students for the challenges of the future, we took great care in our design of specialized chemistry, biology and bio-tech, tools and nature lab spaces.
Outdoor classroom and a dedicated computer science space further the capacity to support diverse educational pursuits and hands-on learning experiences. Advancing the “Building-As-Teacher” concept, we exposed and color-coded piping in classrooms to explain fluid movement throughout the building, fostering a connection between the building and students’ learning experiences.
Fulfilling the company’s need for a local office and regional corporate training center, the building program balanced the space needs between individual and collective working habits and spaces for large training and conference room settings. Pending LEED Gold Certification, the striking L-shaped design extends to both street fronts, enlivening the pedestrian experience and setting a precedent for transit-oriented design along the rapidly growing North Temple corridor. Located adjacent to the TRAX stop that connects Utah’s two largest cities to the airport, the building encourages local employees and out-of-town staff to commute via public transportation.
Currently in design, Wasatch County’s new Administration Building brings departments and the public together in a civic space rooted in clarity, sustainability and connection. The purpose-built facility consolidates County services and the Council Chambers with intuitive wayfinding and thoughtful adjacencies that streamline public access while supporting staff collaboration. Warm materials, natural light and distinct circulation paths elevate the visitor experience. Designed to meet the AIA 2030 Challenge, the building features a Mass Timber structure, high-performance envelope and energy-efficient ground source heat pump system -- a future-ready design that reflects Wasatch County’s commitment to service and stewardship.
An inclusive space shaped by the students themselves, the Student Commons unites the entire Waterford community. As a dedicated gathering area, it fosters student expression, curiosity and stewardship by providing spaces for ownership, display and study. The multi-functional, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structure serves as a welcoming “front door” to the rest of the campus. Our design for the all-electric building aligns with school values to to help reduce Salt Lake Valley air pollution.
Honoring Utah's fallen heroes, the Utah Veterans Memorial invites solemn introspection and connection within a respectful space to remember and reflect upon those memorialized. Sited on just over three acres, its only two entrances guide visitors into the plaza facing east, allowing the prominent Wasatch Front in the distance to set the tone upon entry – as if the mountains are paying homage to those memorialized within. Upon entry, visitors find themselves in a subdued yet fitting space. The placement of the names scribed into the wall’s east side, eternally facing the mountains, allow them to be discovered after entry upon turning towards the wall. Arranged chronologically by war and dating back to World War I the names, listed in a random order, form a single continuous roll call of those united in their common sacrifice. At the center of the plaza, two quartzitic sandstone monoliths quarried from nearby Brown's Canyon align to present an outline of Utah. The facing sides of each slab are carved to reflect Zebra Slot Canyon, with a relief at the base representing the canyon’s runoff wash.
EDA collaborated with Cannon Design to design a nationally-acclaimed transformational, educational live-work experience for student entrepreneurs, innovators and creators at the University of Utah. The LEED Gold design expresses and encourages the live-work entrepreneurial spirit through solutions such as the 20,000 SF Neeleman Hangar innovation space on the ground floor, 15,000 SF of garage-style “maker” spaces on all five levels and a variety of housing options for its 400 student residents. The solution, inspired by the turn-of-the-century converted industrial spaces, includes a building’s flexible grid system allows the University to reconfigure rooms and expand the innovation hangar as students’ needs change. The space enables entrepreneurship, facilitating connection between students of different disciplines to collaborate on products and companies throughout their residence.
The extensive 92,000-square-foot North Tower of the Henry Eyring Chemistry Building (HEB) renovation is unfolding in a carefully planned sequence of nine phases. Transforming HEB into a cutting-edge facility for teaching and chemistry research lab began with our leading a comprehensive facility master plan that meticulously assessed the capacities of the existing architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical infrastructure, The master plan documented the existing conditions and capacities while outlining recommended time frames through a proposed sequencing of design and construction phases and a map detailing the relocation of existing occupants to facilitate the execution of each phase. Our phased design and construction approach ensures that the facility can continue to operate smoothly during the renovation process with minimal disruptions to ongoing activities and services.
Our solution accomplished the University's goals of expanding and renovating the conference, meeting and entertainment hub for alumni activities. Our design increased capacity and improved connections to the campus through carefully organized, flexible spaces. The uncomplicated material palette favors the quality and richness of materials - such as regionally inspired stone walls on the exterior and wood paneling inside - with a subtle integration of University colors referencing its campus context. Reusing approximately 50 percent of the original building fabric, our thoughtful programming provides vistas to important local landmarks including the iconic Block U, Rice Eccles Stadium and the State Arboretum as well as views into the event spaces from the campus’ main corridors.
Built to bring together Overstock.com staff in a single, collaborative work environment, the distinctive, circular “Peace Coliseum” anchors a corporate campus that connects public transportation, on-site childcare and a greenhouse that grows fresh fruits and vegetables for the company cafeteria. The building’s circular design dispenses with traditional hierarchy, trading corner offices for an equitable and transparent open-plan layout.
To explicitly place employees at the center of the company, the design features a gathering space called the “Nucleus” within the inner courtyard, housing the main employee commons area and a cafe. Through an exposed structure and honest use of raw materials, the building reflects an architectural commitment to authenticity and integrity that positively contributes to Overstock’s company culture.
Working with the client to reintroduce the existing building as an integral and welcoming part of downtown, the reimagined public space provides a top-tier tenant experience with amenities more akin to hospitality than a typical commercial environment. Utilizing the existing structure and capitalizing on unused space, our design incorporates modern forms, a natural color palate and natural wood screening elements that soften – without detracting from – the purposefully exposed concrete. Our design includes a new, multi-functional courtyard with fire pit, seating options and dramatic wall mural and a re-energized fourth-floor balcony.
An opportunity for Advanced Composites to expand its aerospace composite structures manufacturing capabilities, the space provides seventy-foot shop bays featuring twenty-five foot height for future bridge cranes. Daylight fills the space from skylights and translucent polycarbonate clerestory windows while white interior insulation facing reflects the lighting for a bright interior shop.
The design for this innovative R&D and manufacturing tilt-up construction facility reinforces Advanced Composites brand. The 42,000 SF shop area provides a long clear span open fabrication area with 25-foot clear hook height for four bridge cranes.
We are leading the process for County and State entities to be housed within a new facility. As part of developing a the design for an addition and remodeled space that considers the work style of each entity, we invested the time needed to engage and listen to each department and communicate our design in an easy to understand manner.
The Applied Science Building is set to become a cornerstone in the University of Utah’s educational and research mission. The building features state-of-the-art amenities, including modern classrooms, experimental laboratories and cutting-edge computer facilities. A dedicated student research support center fosters an environment conducive to active engagement in research and honors projects, streamlining project and degree completion. With a focus on accommodating the instructional needs of over 5,600 undergraduate and graduate students in STEM courses, the facility combines a thoughtful 40,000+ SF renovation of the historic Stewart Building with a contemporary 100,000+ SF addition. The Applied Science Building is not just a physical structure; it embodies a commitment to excellence, innovation and a bright future for the University of Utah’s academic and research pursuits.
The contemporary design draws on traditional architectural organization with a focus on reflecting Spanish Fork’s strong rural traditions and identity while telling the story of the area’s local masonry tradition. The two-wing solution provides separation between courts and justice functions and the police, each with a separate entrance, while anticipating future expansion needs. To inform the program and design we applied an inclusive, consensus-building and creative problem solving approach to lead the interface between the City, Police Department, Administrative Offices of the Court and Utah County Sheriff’s Department. Siting the building we integrated CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) and building security criteria with urban planning and design considerations to promote walkability, transit connection and public place-making.
We engaged the community to develop a city hall that - rather than having a modern design - reflects the unique culture and heritage of the City's historic core and Main Street. Our solution provides a contextual design response, embodying the character of the surrounding Farmington neighborhood. To scale down the overall building mass, the facility is comprised of four discrete building wings joined by a transparent atrium. Three of the wings invoke the historic frame homes along Main Street, while the fourth and principal wing is a reference to Farmington’s original red-brick city hall. Material choices and design reference Farmington’s heritage and historic architecture without being overly representational or literal. Three of the wings utilize pitched roofs, clapboard wood siding and wood windows to reflect the historic frame homes along Farmington’s Main Street. The brick-clad fourth and principal wing, evokes Farmington’s existing original brick city hall. Other materials on this portion of the building include red sandstone and gneiss granite quarried locally. The difference in materials also serve as wayfinding prompts. The glass atrium denotes the public entrance and lobby with pre-function spaces and connection to City departments, whose offices and support spaces are housed within the white wings. The principal wing’s brick points the way to the city council chambers and community room.
Public support for the year-round swimming pool, including a 10,000 SF natatorium, was outstanding during the design process with many engaged community members. We assisted the City with State Grant/ Loan funding, met with project stakeholders and scaled the project to fit the budget to ensure everything the client could afford was included - without having to raise taxes to afford it. The design took into consideration - among other factors - chemical delivery availability, system reliability and value.
Originally built in 1937, Ogden High School is one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in Utah.
The thoughtful multi-phased renovation and restoration of this landmark building included comprehensive programming, master planning and design services to transform it into a state-of-the-art learning environment. The renovation included restoring the historic auditorium, seismic upgrade and strategic exterior repairs. Additions to the facility included a new multi-floor athletic center, cafeteria and common space expansion, a cutting-edge science center and performing arts center. The design for these additions played off the symmetry, axial disposition and articulation of the original Art Deco design. The new athletic center stands on the major axis of the original building, defining a fourth corner of the new outdoor quad. A transparent curtain of glass encloses the new commons space, providing views to the quad and the mountains east of the campus.
From pre-planning and programming to design and construction phases, our Science Team orchestrated a comprehensive transformation of the existing third-floor teaching labs support a range of academic needs. Our solution focused on developing learning environments conducive to the instruction of smaller class sizes (around 25 students). The revamped space provides efficient lab support for wet lab research activities, with dedicated areas for preparation and storage. The introduction of Lab Coordinator work areas enhanced overall operational efficiency. In response to the evolving landscape of educational technology, the Audio/Visual infrastructure supports both in-place and long-distance instruction, aligning with the growing demands for flexible and technologically advanced learning environments.
EDA’s design for the K-2 Center expresses the principle of building as teacher. Through its architecture, the building educates students about the surrounding natural environment, incorporating elements that illustrate sustainable strategies unique to the school’s location at the mouth of Weber Canyon. Here, the same strong down-canyon winds that inspired the school’s mascot, a windjammer sailing ship, animate a design theme of “wind, water and sky.” The building incorporates renewable energy, natural daylighting strategies, passive heating and ventilation, water conservation and reuse, and material resource efficiency, among others. Unique elements include periscopes (i.e. light wells), wind turbines, photovoltaics and a solar hot water array.
Sited at the gateway to the University of Utah’s health science corridor, EDA’s design connects the new building to the existing Skaggs Hall via an atrium. The resulting L.S. Skaggs Pharmacy Research Institute – with its deep recesses and dramatic cantilevers – is a striking yet complementary addition to the University’s health science campus. One of the project’s primary challenges was to meaningfully integrate the colleges’ needs for additional space and departmental consolidation with the district’s increasing density. The resulting concept for the precinct outlines an urban network grounded in the articulation of physical and visual access, structured open space and integrated vehicular and pedestrian circulation routes. In collaboration with Atelier Ten, our team also developed a priority of sustainable strategies to reflect the building program, local climate and massing. Projected energy savings are 30% over baseline, or $7.5M over 50 years.
Real Salt Lake (RSL) Academy High School on the RSL Training Facility Campus is a tuition free, public STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Charter School serving grades nine through twelve. The approximately 300-student facility is a mix of out-of-state RSL Academy student-athletes and local students interested in the curriculum of the high school. With its sheer scale and bold aesthetic, the RSL Training Academy is comprised of a unique combination of two MLS regulation-size soccer fields side-by-side, state-of-the-art training facilities and a charter school, all of which are housed underneath one of the largest pre-engineered clear span buildings in North America - spanning 400 feet. Wrapping around the large span structure are professional training and locker room facilities, academy training and locker room facilities, and a charter school, also housed by a Nucor pre-engineered frame system. The site also includes an exhibition stadium with locker room and public restroom facilities, three MLS size outdoor practice fields, and two high school size practice fields. RSL's 5,000 solar panels produce 1.65 megawatts of energy, relieving about 80% of the electricity needed from the electrical grid to run the training facility.