Best Addition To The Barrio
STAFF PICK: There's been a lot of dirt moved around Barrio Historico near our Tucson Weekly offices, but the most stop-dead, heart thumping project we've seen thus far is the Convent Street Studios on the east side of Convent between Cushing and 17th streets. Architect Rick Joy and rammed-earth contractor Quentin Branch have teamed up to create this beautiful marriage of contemporary and traditional architecture. Joy, an up-and-coming architectural designer who graduated from the UA in 1990, has preserved the best of new and old: He's renovated the white facade and one studio that's part of the existing adobe structure; but rising up from behind are towering, wedge-shaped rammed- earth walls that not only carve out four new live/work units, they create a canyon-like series of intimate courtyard spaces for shade and privacy between the studios. It's a nice transition from historical to modern, a celebration of spare materials and regional character. With those angular walls that rise the better part of 20 feet, we're sure the young architect will have his detractors; but who can argue with his local materials--mud and rusted steel--to say nothing of those lime-green patio walls. Give us more!
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