PRESCOTT, AZ– More than 50,000 years ago, the Colorado Plateau of northern Arizona experienced a dramatic meteor impact event.  Traveling at a rate of 26,000 miles per hour, the meteor struck with the force of 20 million tons of TNT.  The resulting crater is nearly 2.4 miles across and deep enough to hold the Statue of Liberty.

Could another Meteor Crater happen to us?  Recent reports of a near-miss by an even larger asteroid passing a mere 8,000 miles from Earth answers that question with chilling relevance.

Meteor Crater is the best-preserved meteor impact site on Earth.  Having served NASA as a training ground for the original Apollo Missions, and as the birthplace of Astrogeology, Meteor Crater plans to rise to the challenge of a modern world seeking answers.

Engaged by Meteor Crater Enterprises to facilitate the first steps from roadside attraction to worldwide recognition, Portland, Oregon based interpretive exhibit designers FORMATIONS, Inc. was hired in 2010 to develop an Interpretive Masterplan.  In addition to clarifying and interpreting the story of Meteor Crater, one of FORMATIONS primary recommendations was to recruit an interpretive architectural design firm for phased Masterplanning services that would be needed next.  Already working together for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, FORMATIONS recommended interpretive architectural design specialist– CATALYST ARCHITECTURE of Prescott, Arizona for the job. 

Given the specific mandate to position Meteor Crater as the world's best source of meteorite impact science and research, CATALYST accepted the commission to develop a 20 Year Visioning Masterplan for the facility.  This architectural masterplanning work, completed in August 2011, is a comprehensive answer to the aesthetic, functional, and structural needs of a facility gearing up to assert its scientific relevance on a global stage.

Key design elements unify the facility's form and function.  Compelling, space-age domes and spires serve to house new guest services while increasing the efficiency and ease of access to the Crater rim.  A cafe, gift shop, and new ticketing area are obvious choices for improved visitor experience.  An asteroid watch exhibit, simulator ride, and cantilevered Crater Viewing Room (above and below) will take the experience to a whole new level.

CATALYST is already underway on the Architecture and Engineering (A/E) design work for Phase I of the Masterplan, which includes a 3,500 sq.ft. New Main Entry.  The proposed design features a highly articulated stacked rock wall, that recalls the fractured rock of the Crater rim itself. 

Even at a conceptual stage, CATALYST is studying various sustainability approaches for the expanding facilities, including how to manage the sun, collect and store rainwater, capture stratified heat, as well as take advantage of natural daylighting, ventilation and cooling tower opportunites. Existing south-facing roof surfaces will supprt a 45 kWh photovoltaic array which will augment the facility's electrical energy use.

CATALYST will be leading a collaborative, consensus-based design charrette early in the design process to facilitate clear communication between the A/E Team and project stakeholders.  In keeping with MCE's commitment to fiscal responsibility, CATALYST will work with a licensed contractors to facilitate the firm's Value Optimization Procees early on in the design process– ensuring that the ambitios design comes within MCE's budget constraints.  With a clear financial picture supporting CATALYST's architectural vision, Meteor Crater Enterprises will have the information they need to maintain their sound business practices long into the future. 

For More Information:
Meteor Crater Web Site
Meteor Crater Sustainable Visioning Masterplan
Meteor Crater Sustainable Visioning Masterplan (Flickr Photo Set)

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CATALYST ARCHITECTURE is an award winning, full-service sustainable design firm with offices in Prescott, and Flagstaff Arizona. The firm specializes in master planning, interpretive, public, tribal, commercial, and custom residential work, with an emphasis on high-performance, resource-efficient design and construction practices.  With both principals Jeffrey L. Zucker and Matthew B. Ackerman LEED accredited, Catalyst is committed to the thoughtful integration of our natural and built environments.