SkySong At ASU Campus / FTL Design Engineering Studio

Architects: FTL Design Engineering Studio
Area: 4,645 m²
Year: 2009
Photography: Courtesy of Wade Design Engineers
Collaborators: Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
Fabric and Steel Engineering: Wade Design Engineers
City: Scottsdale
Country: United States

SkySong at ASU Campus, designed by FTL Design Engineering Studio, is a 4645 m² mixed-use project located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The development integrates office, research, retail spaces, and residential units, providing shaded courtyards for social gatherings and cafes. The iconic SkySong shade structure is a prominent feature, creating a unifying element that supports collaboration between academia, business, and the technology sector. Completed in 2009, the project plays a key role in fostering innovation and building global networks through its unique design and strategic location.

Skysong at asu campus / ftl design engineering studio

The project occupies a prime site at the intersection of Scottsdale and McDowell Road, encompassing 1.2 million square feet of space once fully completed. It includes office, research, and retail spaces, along with multi-family residential units, a hotel, and a conference center. The focal point of the development is the SkySong shade structure, which anchors a grand boulevard lined with shops and restaurants, blending workspaces with vibrant public amenities. SkySong is designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses, research, and technology while connecting university-driven innovations to broader regional and global growth in the tech industry.

FTL Design Engineering Studio, in collaboration with Pei Cobb Freed & Partners (the architects for the campus buildings), designed the SkySong tensile structure. The sculpture canopy serves as the focal point of the development, shading a central courtyard surrounded by four plazas. These spaces are intended for cafes, restaurants, and social interaction. The structure, made from PTFE glass fabric, covers approximately 50,000 ft² and was opened to the public in May 2009.