HONOR AWARD
Represents outstanding accomplishment in the profession of landscape architecture.
Mesa Temple
“Beautiful well executed project. Commend balancing a historic
landscape with sustainability.”
To celebrate the history of early citrus groves on the site, citrus trees were planted in groves and beds throughout the gardens.
PROJECT SUMMARY
Historically seen as an oasis in the desert by members of the surrounding community, the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has an iconic presence in the area that extends from its architecture for those who belong to the faith, to the use of its grounds by the community, and its outreach in the form of a free annual stage production celebrating Easter. The redesign for the temple grounds enhances this iconic status within the framework of a neo-classically-inspired design that restores prominence to the temple and improves the functionality of the site for daily use, the Easter celebration, and for the community generally. Simple, strong lines belie the complexity of the site program and make it legible, while a balance of human-scaled and grand spaces along with curated views, break the large site into a comprehensible experience.