Iconic Architecture and Design has been awarded the interior design scope for the Historical Tower Renovation for Thunderbird Global School of Management. Will Counts is the genius behind the project and a genius he is. Driven, funny, young and a go getter.

Karen and I were drooling to work on this project. I’ve been tracking it for almost a year. I would have begged to be involved with it. Oh wait, I think I did beg.

Anyway, the structure was used in the early 40’s to train pilots for the war. The history is magnificent and I have learned so much from Will. I am passionate about preserving older buildings in Phoenix, as there are few remaining. So I sincerely mean it when I say it is a true honor to be a part of history making history. Will’s vision is to make the Tower the hub of social gathering on campus. The bookstore will be relocated, there will be a multipurpose gallery for the purpose of meetings, and a small but well appointed museum. There will be a couple of gathering areas for students to hang out, compute, have a brew and oh yeah, the pub, no I mean The Pub will be moving to The Tower. How Mr. Counts pulled that one off is truly, as I stated previously, a stroke of genius.

For those of you unfamiliar with The Pub, it is a dive bar of simple means. But the history and traditional importance are overwhelming. You can see it in the faces of the students when the subject comes up of altering it. Will has diligently worked to preserve every element so the present and past patron’s feel comfy and excited about the changes.

There is an insignificant bulletin board where chosen students post grades weekly. According to Will, people live and die by that posting. We are tasked with preserving the importance of said bulletin board, and preserve we will. Iconic Architecture and Design has the utmost respect for the role The Tower played in preserving our country and it’s freedom and what part we play in preserving The Tower’s history and that of those who attend this extraordinary and auspicious global school of management.

This project is slated for Silver Leed and Karen’s little green ears are all perked up. We have some incredible opportunities for large graphic statements, and some really cool design challenges. We are jazzed and can’t wait to dazzle Will with a fitting response to his design needs and to show our due respect to an old building that held the hope of a country within it’s walls. What an honor.

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