Orange Mall extension earns honor for green infrastructure

Arizona State University’s Orange Mall Green Infrastructure Project on the Tempe campus earned an Honor Award in the General Design category at the 2021 American Society of Landscape Architects Professional Awards.

This green infrastructure project, completed in 2017, transformed a portion of the asphalt roadway into an eco-friendly pedestrian mall.

This U.S. Green Building Council Sustainable Sites Gold-certified project is the first implementation of the "Tempe Campus Mall Hardscape Master Plan." Orange Mall will set the standard for future phases.

“The goal is that major malls on the Tempe campus will be transformed to reflect the design concepts and tenants of this development,” said Byron Sampson, associate director of the Office of the University Architect. “The Nelson Fine Arts Center complex was recently done with similar strategies for stormwater management and adaptive and engaging outdoor spaces for our students.”

Orange Mall features a sustainable environment and green infrastructure that manages wet-weather impacts. Rainwater runoff from surrounding buildings supports local vegetation and bioswales assist stormwater management. 

The mall’s extension also provides event space for the new Student Pavilion and serves as a social gathering spot for the ASU community. Seating and a shaded palm court offer visitors an enjoyable outdoor living space.