Las Vegas self-guided tour #7: East Las Vegas / Created by the Architecture Studies Library, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

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Self-guided tour #7: East Las Vegas 1. Desert Research Institute
2. Clark County Library and Performing Arts Center
3. Liberace Museum Addition and Renovation
4. Flower Peddler
5. Whitney Library
6. Department of Motor Vehicles Remodel
7. Howard E. Hollingsworth Elementary School
8. Las Vegas Monorail Passenger Stations
Print driving tour pamphlet: eastlv07.doc Note: to print file choose landscape orientation

1. Desert Research Institute Complex General Contractor(s): Clark & Sullivan Address: 755 E. Flamingo Rd. Year: 2003 The Desert Research Institute is part of the Southern Nevada Science Center campus that is located across from UNLV. The new 66,000 square-foot facility features laboratories, classrooms, exhibit space, and offices. The building's exhibit materials will have a special emphasis on America's nuclear history and the state's ecological challenges. The three-story building is constructed of masonry block, structural steel, and metal composite roofing. The fascia overhangs and shading devices of the new building closely resemble those of the older one next door, helping to reinforce the campus' design vocabulary. Photo provided by Liz Fuentes (July 2003). Additional images/information
2. Clark County Library and Performing Arts Center Architect(s): Michael Graves, Architect and JMA Architecture Studios Address: 1401 E. Flamingo Rd. Year: 1994 This 110,000 square-foot library and performing arts center was the second in the series of branch libraries the Clark County Library District commissioned to be completed by high profile architects. An older library existed on the site previously and the new building was built around the older one's core. Responding to the automobile dominated culture of Las Vegas, the main entrance is on the south side of the building, away from the street it fronts. In typical Graves fashion, the building exhibits a stripped classicism with its massive facades, lack of ornate detail, and simple forms. The walls are etched vertically and horizontally to resemble stone and the exterior colors are orange and pink, making the building stand out in the heavily commercial and residential area. "One of Las Vegas' 10 ugliest buildings"-Las Vegas Weekly, Aug.21-27, 2003. (additional photos) Photo provided by Liz Fuentes (July 2003). Additional images/information
3. Liberace Museum Addition and Renovation Architect(s): Leo Daly Architects Address: 1775 E. Tropicana Ave. Year: 2002 In order to increase its appeal as a prominent Las Vegas tourist attraction, the Liberace Museum received a striking overhaul to update the dated 1970s era façade. The owner and architect purposely took the design "over the top" with its fun and flamboyant architectural elements. These touches include curvilinear walls featuring a mosaic of the performer and sheet music from one of his most famous songs, "The Beer Barrel Polka," a mirrored glass entrance lobby with piano keys across it, and neon signage. This project is a great example of how something typically ordinary and boring, such as strip mall architecture, can be transformed into something fun and memorable. Photo provided by Liz Fuentes (July 2003). Additional images/information
4. Flower Peddler Architect(s): Carpenter Sellers Associates Address: 3525 E. Flamingo Rd. Year: 1993 The owners of this flower shop wanted to express their theatrical and artistic sides through the architecture of their new building. The 5,000 square foot store features an L-shaped footprint to maximize the building's frontage and a series of flower-like pedestals support the sloping fascia used to reduce solar gain on the west façade. The idealized purple and teal stems flowers give what could have otherwise been another boring strip mall a sense of whimsy and fun. Colored blocks are intermingled with the standard colored CMU blocks on the remaining facades to provide visual accents. Photo provided by Liz Fuentes (July 2003). Additional images/information
5. Whitney Library Architect(s): Holmes Sabatini Associates Architects (now Dekker Perich Holmes Sabatini) Address: 5175 E. Tropicana Ave. Year: 1994 This almost 27,000 square-foot library is one of the nicer neighborhood branches, which are much smaller than the "big three" completed by high profile architects. The building is segmented into different brightly colored pastel pieces: the yellow light shafts, the salmon adult reading portion, the lavender 200-seat performance hall, the teal signage and entrance canopy. The entrance and parking lot are located on the south side of the site and the building turns a blank wall to Tropicana Avenue. Drought-tolerant landscaping complements the desert hues of the building. This project won a 1995 AIA Nevada Design Award. Photo provided by Liz Fuentes (July 2003).
6. Department of Motor Vehicles Remodel Architect(s): Carpenter Sellers Associates Address: 2701 E. Sahara Ave. Year: 1993 The dramatic interior remodel of this 34,000 square-foot space is an important example of how the physical environment can contribute to the emotional well-being of its users. Before the remodel, the exterior was off-white and the interior was dark, depressing, and sterile. The exterior received a fresh coat of terra cotta colored paint and updated signage above the main entrance. The interior is now warm and inviting with colorful blocks of carpet in the waiting area, a modern-looking information desk, updated finishes, and a series of light wells to provide more daylight. This project won a 1998 National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) Award and a 1997 AIA Nevada Honorable Mention. Photo provided by Liz Fuentes (July 2003).
7. Howard E. Hollingsworth Elementary School (2003) Architect: JMA Architecture Studios – Thomas J. Schoeman, AIA; John Lopeman, AIA and Kip Barton Address: 1776 E. Ogden Ave. , Las Vegas NV This 78,000 sf, concrete-CMU building's design organization was in a simple “H” plan to simplify circulation and maximize supervision. The central stair and corridor system serves as a circulation “hub.” This “hub” efficiently connects all primary building functions and encourages interaction among students. The project won the 2003 AIA Nevada Merit Award in the Built Category. Photo provided by Liz Fuentes (July 2003).
8. Las Vegas Monorail Passenger Stations (2004) Architect: Gensler of Nevada Address: Various Locations along the Monorail The project goals were to provide a vibrant, comfortable and convenient environment for visitors as well as help provide greater mobility and connectivity within the resort corridor of Las Vegas . The project was developed on a Design-Build, fast track basis – on time and on budget performance was critical due to the project being privately funded. In addition, the design allows for potential sources of revenue generation, including branding, advertising and sponsorship of the trains and stations. The project won the 2004 AIA Nevada Citation Award Photo provided by Ernie Podaca(July 2003).

Sources:
Anderton, Frances, and John Chase. Las Vegas:A Guide to Recent Architecture. London: Ellipsis London Limited, 1997.
Las Vegas American Institute of Architects Design Awards Archives
Nicoletta, Julie. Buildings of Nevada. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

© UNLV ASL
Tour pamphlets prepared May, 2003 by Liz Fuentes, UNLV School of Architecture Graduate Student
Revised 6/04 by Ernie Podaca, UNLV School of Architecture Graduate Student

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