Architecture in Indian CountryArchitecture in Indian Country ... trapezoidal lighting elements,...

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20 Indian Gaming May 2016 Located in the heart of a bustling entertainment and sports district on the west side of the Phoenix Metro area, the new Desert Diamond West Valley Casino – owned and operated by the Tohono O’odham Nation – is developed around the core concept of a truly unique entertainment experience for regional gaming patrons. Designed by national casino resort designers, HBG - Hnedak Bobo Group, the firm completed a master plan for a larger proposed casino resort development, planned as a significant amenity within the surrounding West Valley entertainment district. Phase one of the casino resort complex, the 50,000 sq. ft. casino, opened to excited crowds – numbering well over 3,000 guests – on December 19, 2015. The new casino offers a full Class II gaming experience with 1,089 gaming machines, an edge bar, and a 75-seat food court. The casino and future phases are being constructed on a greenfield site, former agricultural land south of 95th and Northern Avenues in Maricopa County. “The phase one casino will ultimately comple- ment the overall future resort aesthetic, but will stand-out among subsequent phases with its own unique design and structure,” says Rob Lee, AIA, Principal at HBG and Project Manager for the project. According to HBG lead designers, Thor Harland and Emily Marshall, IIDA, the angular exterior elevation merges materiality, from its array of soft Architecture in Indian Country Innovation in architectural design has been at the foundation of many tribally owned casino properties across Indian Country. Here is a spotlight on two exciting new projects. Desert Diamond West Valley Casino HBG - Hnedak Bobo Group Glendale, AZ Tohono O’odham Nation Project: Phase one of casino resort complex

Transcript of Architecture in Indian CountryArchitecture in Indian Country ... trapezoidal lighting elements,...

20 Indian Gaming May 2016

Located in the heart of a bustling entertainment andsports district on the west side of the Phoenix Metro area,the new Desert Diamond West Valley Casino – owned andoperated by the Tohono O’odham Nation – is developedaround the core concept of a truly unique entertainmentexperience for regional gaming patrons.

Designed by national casino resort designers, HBG -Hnedak Bobo Group, the firm completed a master plan for a larger proposed casino resort development, planned as asignificant amenity within the surrounding West Valleyentertainment district.

Phase one of the casino resort complex, the 50,000 sq. ft.casino, opened to excited crowds – numbering wellover 3,000 guests – on December 19, 2015. Thenew casino offers a full Class II gaming experiencewith 1,089 gaming machines, an edge bar, and a 75-seat food court. The casino and future phases are being constructed on a greenfield site, formeragricultural land south of 95th and NorthernAvenues in Maricopa County.

“The phase one casino will ultimately comple-ment the overall future resort aesthetic, but willstand-out among subsequent phases with its ownunique design and structure,” says Rob Lee, AIA,Principal at HBG and Project Manager for the project.

According to HBG lead designers, Thor Harlandand Emily Marshall, IIDA, the angular exterior elevation merges materiality, from its array of soft

Architecture in Indian CountryInnovation in architectural design has been at the foundation of many tribally ownedcasino properties across Indian Country. Here is a spotlight on two exciting new projects.

Desert Diamond West Valley CasinoHBG - Hnedak Bobo Group

Glendale, AZTohono O’odham NationProject: Phase one of casino resort complex

May 2016 Indian Gaming 21

green and white tiled accents that form the centerpiece tothe multi-hued stone at the columns and base. Materials combine to form a beautiful contrast against the desertbackdrop, gracefully beckoning guests toward the excitingentertainment experience found within.

“Visually, the casino exterior applies a subtle contemporarypalette of cool, earthy green tones within an interpretivedesert vernacular that speaks to the surrounding region,” saysHarland.

Designers chose simple elements without relying onornamentation. Strong angles found in the Arizona landscape inspired the geometry found within, and areincorporated into the custom lighting, fabric patterns anddetail wall accents.

“The high quality casino interiors incorporate a moremasculine palette of bright blues, greens, reds, golds and silvers,” adds Marshall. The color palette is enlivened byinternally-illuminated, custom-designed circular and trapezoidal lighting elements, which intertwine and hangprominently from an open ceiling plane. Varyinglighting styles highlight different gaming and foodand beverage zones.

This play of curving and angular geometry isseen clearly at the edge bar, a focal point on thecasino floor, which is highlighted by a dramatic,patterned back-bar wall featuring integrated lighting details.

The attention to every detail was deliberate,from the types of slot machines and where they are placed in the facility, to the open aisles, andeven the chairs.

Gaming floor chairs were custom-made at aheight and style that matches where a patron feelsmost comfortable sitting, offering wider bottomsand wider backs and comfortable cushioning. Additionally, the aisles between the rows of

gaming machines, at 14 feet wide, are two to threefeet wider than in most casinos to offer greateraccessibility.

The present casino is planned to revert to use aswarehouse support space once the larger casinoresort experience opens. Because of the transitionalnature of the phase one casino, designers used anabundance of sustainable materials, including carpeting made from recycled materials. Paint was used instead of a typical vinyl wall covering, and fixtures were designed to be transportable tothe future casino development.

To smartly plan for future expansion, the infra-structure was put in place now to support the fullresort build-out to come. The phase one casino ispart of an approximately 150,000 sq. ft. buildingthat houses equipment, furnishings, generators,

office workers, heating and cooling towers, security systems, and employee lockers and check-in stations.

“The phase one casino groundbreaking was held inAugust 2014, and the project construction took just 16months from start to finish,” says Lee. “Working with theTohono O’odham Nation and Desert Diamond Casino inthis endeavor has been very fulfilling; and our team is enthusiastic about moving forward with future phases.”

“The Enterprise prides itself on developing lasting partnerships with its projects,” said Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communications for theTohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise. “Hnedak BoboGroup has proven to be a great partner and their extensiveexperience with Native communities served them well indealing with the Tohono O’odham Nation. This project alsoincluded multiple external challenges, all of which requiredHBG to work quickly and remain agile. We could not bemore pleased with the quality and professionalism HBGdemonstrated throughout this process.”

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort has stoodas an Oasis in the desert south ofPhoenix for years. The original casinoopened in 1994 and has consistentlygrown since. The joining of Harrah’sfamous ‘Total Rewards Program,’superior management and the Ak-ChinCommunity’s history of hospitalityand openness has provided the basisfor that growth. Drawing guests fromPhoenix and Tucson, the facility hascontinued to provide diversification to the Ak-Chin Community and itsagricultural businesses.

The expansion and renovation willjoin the recently opened “Ultra Star”entertainment facility with the expan-sion via an enclosed, elevated coveredwalkway. As part of the expansion, anew parking structure will providemuch needed shade from the desert sun; a new ballroom will seat 2,000 for an event and 1,000 for dinner; and breakout rooms and a dedicated board room will be added forcorporate functions.

Three entirely new food and beverage outlets will be added including a wine bar featuring wine on tap, acomplete and dedicated Diamond Lounge for Harrah’stop tier guests, and a new beer/burger/steakhouse featur-ing craft beers and wood-grilled entrees.

All existing food and beverage outlets will be expandedto accommodate 230 new four diamond guestrooms and

suites, housed in a new facility towering above the deserthorizon. A day spa, business center and enhanced poolamenities, including a “lazy river,” will round out the trueresort experience.

The gaming floor and support areas will expand,and the entire facility will share an expanded PorteCochere. This expansion will celebrate the beautyof the Southwest and provide a proper “desertrespite.”

The casino entry is defined by a dramatic lobbyspace inspired by elements integral to Ak-Chinculture. Two sculptural columns flank the space,which represent the spines of an aged saguaro cactus. The flaring columns rise between overheadcanopies, and the central canopy glows with thewarm gradient colors of an Arizona sunrise. Theunderside of the canopy is detailed to recall theforms and patterns found in traditional basketweaving techniques. A spectacular glass chandelierat the center is suspended and represents bundlesof dried devils claw seed pods, the dark fibers ofwhich are used for the accent patterns woven intotraditional baskets.

“The collaboration with tribal members todevelop new and creative ways to express cultural conceptsand imagery is a high point in the design process,” saidDavid Nejelski Director of Design for TBE Architects.

The expansion and renovation will carry the property and the Ak-Chin into the future with a vision of respect,hope and prudent planning. ®

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Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort TBE Architects

Maricopa, AZAk-Chin Indian CommunityProject: Casino expansion and renovation