Most designers learn about influential leaders and design pieces across the design community throughout their education and career.

One of the most interesting architectural structures that I always remember learning about in college and had the privilege to visit was the Grand Louvre pyramids by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners

(I.M. Pei as the lead). Something about the juxtaposition of modern design and architecture as an introduction to historical art and architecture was appealing to me and always stuck out in my mind.

So it was with great excitement that four years ago, while working for a real estate firm, I became the lead graphic designer on the marketing material for a planned development designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, called SkySong, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The development was centered around an awesome, modern shade structure.

Now, I need to go back to the history of the land SkySong is on before I go any further.

In 1969 Los Arcos Mall was built on the land now occupied by SkySong. The mall was one of the most modern malls in the valley for its first decade. It began declining in 1979 when Fiesta Mall in Mesa opened and further declined through the 80s and 90s with the openings of other valley malls. The structure was closed in 1999 and finally demolished in 2000. (Los Arcos Mall, Wikipedia)

Between 2000 and 2005 several proposals for the land were introduced, with many Scottsdale community members, retailers and leaders trying to gain approval for a hockey arena, a Walmart and even a jail at one point (I won’t even try to explain Arizona’s crazy Sheriff).

When the SkySong development was decided on by the city council in 2005, many community members were angry because they didn’t see SkySong as a viable plan.

At the same time, Tempe Marketplace, an outdoor mega-mall less than 5 miles away, had just begun construction. This lead to even less support in the community for SkySong.

What Scottsdale residents didn’t and still don’t completely realize, however, is that

SkySong isn’t another retail development that is going to die out in 10 or 20 years. The development was built as a sustainable idea,

a plan that included retail, residential (condos) and innovative businesses. When completed, it will be a self-sustaining community that will house hundreds of companies with long-term jobs. It’s been referred to as leading Scottsdale towards a future Silicon Valley in Arizona – more than a simple retail development.

Let me get back to the point. As a designer, looking beyond all of this – the long-term viability, jobs and innovation the development will bring to Scottsdale – SkySong is just really cool. Now that the shade structure is up,

it is a gorgeous piece of modern architecture, in line with the striking beauty of the Louvre’s pyramids.

The structure was designed by one of the most influential architectural firms and one of the most influential architects of our time (Henry Cobb as the lead).

Maybe I’m bias, being a designer and now working at SkySong (since last year). But did anyone ever think they’d have a reason to tie Scottsdale, Arizona, with Paris, France – to one of the most influential design firms of the 20th century – or to something other than blonds, snobs and retirees?

This exclusive, sophisticated tie should appeal to members of the Scottsdale community.

It is Scottsdale after all.