The center houses essential university functions, including admissions, government and community relations, and alumni relations. It includes a multi-use event center, conferencing, offices, collaborative areas, and hoteling options for faculty, staff, and alumni who work remotely or are visiting from the Tucson campus.

The design concept focuses on interconnection, using geometry and patterning to symbolize links between Tucson and Scottsdale, academics and athletics, and alumni and students. Visitors enter to a vertical, three-dimensional topographic relief of Arizona showing the geographic relationships between the Scottsdale Center and the university’s main campus in Tucson.

Custom terrazzo floors are embedded with lyrics from the university’s alma mater cast in zinc. The lyrics are placed sequentially across the floor to subtly guide visitors through the space, while the pattern visually alludes to the white oak installation above, creating a layered dialogue between floor and ceiling.

An achievements wall features a custom picture flap, designed in collaboration with Oat Foundry, combining brand imagery and statements highlighting university history and notable accomplishments across academics, research, athletics, and the arts. Integrated QR codes connect visitors to current news, research, and student accomplishments, transforming an analog display into an interactive digital gateway for deeper engagement.

A connecting hallway, visible from the exterior, includes a lenticular wall shifting imagery and student phrases with a panel expressing the university’s core values. A large photo collage is paired with the school’s fight song to celebrate pride in the school’s student athletes and Big 12 identity.