The American Institute of Architects Western Mountain Region (WMR) chapter recently honored the Clark County Government Center in Las Vegas, designed by Denver-based Fentress Architects, with its 2020 Twenty-Five Year Award. The award recognizes a built structure that has significantly influenced design and lifestyle in the six-state region, which includes Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. The project’s Southern Nevada-inspired design was recognized during the AIA WMR Design and Honor Awards virtual gala on Oct. 1. More than 25 years after its completion, the 375,000-sq-ft, six-story government center stands as one of Southern Nevada’s architectural landmarks.

“In a town where icons are normally casinos and themed campuses, this project is refreshing because it has brought a conversation of architecture to the public consistently,” noted the 2020 AIA WMR Honor Awards jury. “We are really pleased to see that the community has embraced the project wholeheartedly.”

“The Clark County Government Center has created an enduring landmark for the region while showcasing a model of open, accessible and stable government,” said Curtis Fentress, principal in charge of design at Fentress Architects.

McCarthy Building Cos. recently completed a new emergency department for Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City, Ariz. The facility began seeing patients on Oct. 6. The 40,000-sq-ft ED is part of a $106-million expansion that also includes a new patient tower, the largest renovation the facility has undergone in 30 years. The ED increases capacity to 56 beds from 42, allowing the department to care for up to 60,000 emergency patients annually, a 25% increase.

McCarthy used prefabricated interior and exterior wall panels on the project. The panels were constructed off site and delivered to the site for installation, saving approximately three months of construction. Nearly 125 of the panels were placed inside the ED for interior partition walls. All electrical, plumbing and medical gas piping required for the walls was installed before they arrived on site. The process minimized installation labor and waste, increased productivity and reduced safety risks and site cleanup.