The Grand at Papago Park

A tribute to Roosevelt Dam shines at night

Papago Park Center is a 350-acre mixed use business park centrally located in Metro Phoenix along the Arizona Canal. The last parcel of the park to be developed is called The Grand at Papago Park Center and it will ultimately consist of office, retail, residential, and hotel components in its master plan. The central jewel in this master plan is Roosevelt Park and the legacy water feature that pays homage to Roosevelt Dam.
 

A significant challenge in the project arose from the presence of the Arizona Canal along the property's southern boundary, necessitating its relocation to the project's center. The design team diligently developed a comprehensive plan to reposition the canal, seamlessly incorporating pedestrian paths on both sides. Additionally, strategically positioned pedestrian bridges were integrated to facilitate smooth canal crossings, exemplifying the team's thoughtful approach to design and functionality.

Area/roadway pole-tops were selected to illuminate the pedestrian paths at a spacing of approximately 70’ with a 4:1 max-to-min ratio over most of the half-mile of paved and gravel paths. A unique pole was designed that “sprouted” from the ground at a 15-degree angle and ultimately curved at the top at 16’ into a tenon to receive the fixture head. The pole finish was to be 80 Grit Satin Finish and the lighting designer opted to specify the head with a BEGA black finish to celebrate the signature pole/head color combination instead of trying to match an aluminum color with an alternate finish.
 

Along the path, custom signs were installed, showing historic images with descriptions to commemorate the story of the Salt River Project and the construction of the Roosevelt Dam. Rectangle in-grades were specified to illuminate the signs from below grade. This fixture was selected for its glare control, aversion to vandalism, performance, and the luminaire would be obscured from view during the day.

Drive lanes enter the site and culminate into the central 300’ diameter roundabout. Larger 30’ poles light these roads and in instances along the pedestrian paths they “sprout” straight up from the same foundation as the pathway lights. This gives an organic look reminiscent of flowering stems.
 

The focal point within the roundabout is the water feature which is designed to resemble the Theodore Roosevelt Dam. The water feature was designed by WET Design, the creative team behind the fountains of The Bellagio. The pathways surrounding the feature are illuminated with a family of BEGA bollards. Bollards with 360-degree distribution are used where seating areas require additional illumination, while bollards from the same family with only 180-degree distribution were used along pathways, maintaining a continuous design throughout the space.
 

At the ADA ramp, there was a seat wall that prompted the choice for the shorter BEGA bollard to complete the family. These fixtures were specified with a silver finish to complement the iconic overlook railings and bridge handrails designed by Arizona artist Mary Lucking.
 

The front side of the dam is illuminated from lights within the water well grazing up the stone steps of the simulated dam. These lights capture the beauty of the trickling water and the programmed deluges that perform magical shows throughout the evening. The back wall at the top of the feature is washed from across the adjacent pathway with performance floodlights which were paired with glare shields and linear spread lenses to provide uniform illumination and reduce light spill. The water feature and the surrounding park provides a unique atmosphere and micro-climate to be enjoyed by the surrounding office tenants and residents and is an incredible space for private and public events.
 

The pole-tops and bollards used throughout the park became the palette for the site lighting for parking and sidewalk areas of the adjacent building. Additional in-grade fixtures were incorporated into the project to uplight columns at the entry experience and to uplight two additional artistic shade structures.
 

This building was also awarded an IES Award of Merit in the 2021 Illumination Awards and became certified LEED Silver.