Local firm designs Sogg Architecture Building at UNLV

Bob Shemeligian

Friday, Oct. 24, 1997 | 10:54 a.m.

By donating the firm's design work for various civic projects in recent years, Swisher & Hall has earned a reputation as the "architect's architect."

Among the recent civic projects Swisher & Hall has designed for free are the Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club and the Boys Hope/Girls Hope home.

No wonder Swisher & Hall was chosen to design UNLV's $8.3 million Paul B. Sogg Architecture Building.

"It was a great honor to be chosen to design the university's new school of architecture," president Stephen Swisher said. "It was also a bit of a high-wire act. Because we really wanted to make sure it would come out all right."

Because the firm brought the project in on time and under budget, it was able to add some 14,000 square feet of studio and classroom space to the interior, bringing the total to 75,000 square feet.

The dedication of the new architectural school Thursday evening was the focal point of Architecture Week in Nevada, commemorated by the American Institute of Architects. Students of architecture as well as faculty and civic leaders attended the dedication ceremony.

Giving careful consideration to the severe Southern Nevada climate, the building is a deceptively simply rectilinear plan with exposed concrete masonry walls and a glazed curtain wall. Additionally, its distinctively-designed metal roofs and sunshades extend to create aesthetic as well as protective overhangs at public entries, courtyards and glazed areas.

Another feature is controlled lighting in computer laboratories. There is also a sense of openness throughout the building to foster communication among students.

"The creation of architecture is truly a collaborative, multi-disciplinary effort," Swisher said. "We provided a great deal of gallery space, and we took the corridor through the middle of open studios. By doing so we made a huge display and critique zone so you cannot possibly get into or out of the building without seeing everything that's going on."

Swisher has high hopes for the next generation of architects who will receive diplomas from the new school.

"This is a very strong local design community," Swisher said. "We are one of the hottest construction markets in the country, and we have been for some time. We've experienced explosive growth of schools, libraries, shopping centers -- every conceivable type of project, and this school will be a valuable resource to the community."

Like all projects designed by Swisher & Hall, the architecture building at UNLV was a collaborative effort. Swisher served as lead designer and Ron Hall served as leader of the design team.

"A lot of people worked on this project," Swisher noted.

Among other projects designed by Swisher & Hall are the All-American SportPark, the Cadillac Grille, Peak Professional Plaza, First Security Bank, Emerald Gardens Wedding Center and the $15 million expansion of Las Vegas Municipal Courts.