FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

The Sprouts House represents an innovative model of adaptive reuse, revitalizing two historic red brick bungalows in Tucson’s Rincon Heights district that were once vacant and in severe disrepair. Built in 1921 and 1933, these structures were saved from near-certain loss through a renovation project that transformed them into a vibrant living laboratory and professional development hub. The site now features a teaching kitchen, a community classroom, and offices, all connected by new facilities that include a shaded outdoor classroom and an operational production garden. By working closely with the State Historic Preservation Office and the local neighborhood association, the project ensured that modern infrastructure was seamlessly integrated while strictly preserving the historical character of these protected buildings.

Developed by the University of Arizona’s School Garden Workshop (SGW), the Sprouts House serves as the headquarters for a program that has spent 15 years connecting youth to the environment by integrating garden-based lessons into core academic subjects across the Tucson Unified School District. The facility provides essential training for K–12 educators, amplifying the SGW’s mission to foster hands-on learning from garden to table. Ultimately, the project demonstrates that historic preservation and community investment are mutually reinforcing, successfully programming aging structures to meet the urgent contemporary needs of Tucson’s students and teachers.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

Location: Tucson, AZ

Completion Year: 2026

Size: 2,550 SF

Cost: $2,500,000

Contractor (CMAR): Chasse Building Team

Photography: Logan Havens

AWARDS:

2026 Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Award