F
Whatever else the photo at right might suggest it would not likely be a water treatment plant. Yet, water treatment plant it is, the winged, taunt, angular sculptures adding an artistic flair to the facility. With the graceful structures along with other design elements, Scottsdale’s Chaparral Water Treatment Plant stands out as an attractive public feature in its residential neighborhood setting, adjacent to Chaparral Park.
Aesthetics along with function was a prime consideration when designing the plant. A mega-box concrete block building surrounded with razor wire would not do in a suburban residential area.
Other artistic touches include the basket weave pattern of the exterior brickwork and curved and gabion walls. The wire-and-rock gabion walls have a symbolic significance, to represent the filtering process occurring within the plant. Plans also call for a six-acre terraced desert garden that relies on collected rainwater.
Neighborhood recreational interests will be served by an off-leash dog park and two ball fields.
To further accommodate its suburban setting, the treatment plant includes a wall to conceal deliveries, soundproofing to muffle pump noise and a system for filtering and deodorizing air used in the treatment process.
Swaback Partners was the architectural design consultant to Black & Veatch, the engineering firm that built the plant.

Water Center Home -- AWR Home -- Search