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High Country Conference Center
High Country Conference Center - Northern Arizona University Setting Northern Arizona University (NAU) is situated on a volcanic plateau at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, the highest mountains in Arizona. The 738-acre main campus is located in Flagstaff, Arizona. Flagstaff is a four-season city located at an elevation of 7,000 feet. This setting creates fantastic views under dramatic skies. Project Goals In 2005, Ayers Saint Gross (ASG) completed a long-term Campus Master Plan for Northern Arizona University. A primary goal of the Plan was to develop a site for locating a hotel and conference center to serve the University and the City of Flagstaff. The conference center was intended to be an economic driver in a rapidly-expanding Southwestern region, while providing the both the City and University with much needed conference and lodging space. The proposed relationship would complement the existing programs for hospitality at NAU with a private sector hotel enterprise. Site One of the outcomes of the master Plan was the identification of the “Butler Parking Lot” at the corner of Butler and Milton on the northwest corner of the campus as the location for the new conference center, parking structure and hotel. This key location is a gateway site for the campus and offers a highly visible connection to the City of Flagstaff and easy access for travelers. With the site determined, the complex program seeks to provide an elegant but location-specific experience to conference and seminar visitors. Displaying the dramatic setting is fundamental to expressing the quality and character of this location. The program was carefully distributed on the site to maximize and capture specific views. In turn, the building’s internal activity is displayed to the public through the glass arcade of the pre-function space with a 3-story space acting as a lantern at this prominent corner. Program The High Country Conference Center at Northern Arizona University is a new 41,000 square foot facility with state-of-the-art meeting space, an 11,000 sf flexible ballroom and a commercial kitchen with full-production food service capabilities. It also features innovative design elements such as sage-green curved metal roofing, massive UV-rated glass walls framing the iconic San Francisco Peaks, a 50-person boardroom and three break-out session rooms, with full provisions for hospitality and catering. The pre function and lounges spaces and business center provide full range of work and meeting spaces with required visitor support. The facility utilizes internal temperature control and an integrated dimming system for public and performance lighting. The environmental enclosure of the building was enhanced to combat the rugged winter climate, as the roof was designed to R-35, and walls to R-30. Window wall framing components are thermally broken and related glazing is high-performance, insulated low-e glass. Ergonomic furniture was also specified throughout per IACC standards. The selection of the interior finishes, furniture, fixtures and color palette all reflect the natural environment of Flagstaff. Unique public and private partnership The conference center, intended to be used by groups ranging from 200 to 1000 participants, came about through a partnership between Northern Arizona University and the City of Flagstaff. Conferences and training sessions will come from many sectors, including government, education and corporate. The academic functions at the University will also benefit from the projects. Students enrolled in the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management program will be able to work on-site to meet their 48 hours of required lab time. Additionally, faculty and students in the College of Arts and Letters will have places to show their artwork and to perform. Collaborations with the NAU Art Museum are also pending. The conference center and the Drury Hotel are linked by a glass bridge, an architectural device that protects visitors from the harsh winter elements. The hotel was executed by Drury Hotels. Ayers Saint Gross aided in dictating the location of the footprint, exterior cladding and materiality of the bridge. The project also has its own adjacent 340-car parking structure that creates direct, protected, and secure connections.
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