Tempe Historic Property Survey

The Industrial Arts Building is significant for its Neo-Classical Revival styling and for its role in the evolution of the Arizona State Teachers College (now ASU). The building’s preliminary design was by Norman F. Marsh, a California architect noted for bringing Neo-Classical Revival designs to Arizona, including the Monroe School and three buildings in the Phoenix Union High School Historic District, all of which were listed on the National Register. L. G. Knipe of Phoenix prepared the working drawings. In the evolution of the campus, the building is significant as (1) the first and only true Neo-Classical Revival design, (2) the first academic building to use a reinforced concrete structural system, (3) the first building west of College Avenue outside the bounds of the original campus, and (4) representing the broadening of the college curriculum beyond the scope of teacher education by the addition of a building designated for Industrial Arts, thereby pointing the way toward university status for the college.

The Industrial Arts Building is an H-shaped two-story concrete and brick structure with a full basement. Symmetrical with a raised first floor, the building faces west onto a mall (formerly College Avenue). The central entry is recessed 55 feet between the projecting north and south wings, and features a Neo-Classical Revival pediment supported by four Doric columns. The central double glass doors are replacements but the original entry space is intact. The structural system is reinforced concrete and the building is faced with tan bricks. The wings are detailed with a watertable, brick band courses, and a decorative cornice. Windows are individually placed and in pairs; all have been sunscreened. Internally, the building retains its original structural bays, but little remain of the original interior finishes following remodeling in 1936 and 1973.

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