Tempe Municipal Building

The Tempe Municipal Building is the city hall of Tempe, Arizona; notable for its inverted-pyramid shape.

Designed by architects Michael and Kemper Goodwin, and completed in 1971, the unique shape of the steel-and-glass building was intended to conserve energy by keeping the building cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. The pyramid’s 45-degree angle maximises solar gain in the winter whilst minimising it in the summer.

The ground floor comprises 188.1 sq. m of reception space, the first floor is 522.6 sq. m, and the second floor is 930 sq. m. Council chambers are provided in a semi-basement level.

It's primary structure is a steel frame which supports thick panes of tempered glass. The building is flanked by free-standing stair towers, and a concrete plaza which radiates out from the pyramid.

Recognised as a local landmark, in 2010, the building received the 25-Year Award from the Arizona Society of the American Institute of Architects, in part for its innovative, sustainable design.

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