the salt river pima-maricopa indian community tribal government complex; 180,000 SF includes executive, administration, council chamber and cafeteria in four buildings that have been constructed using a sustainably driven program.

The SRP-MIC comprises two distinct Native American tribes—the Pima (Akimel O'odham) and the Maricopa (Piipaash)—many of whom were originally of the Halchidhoma (Xalchidom) tribe. The community was officially created by an Executive Order of US President Rutherford B. Hayes on June 14, 1879 and comprises 53,600 acres (217 km2) of which 19,000 remain a natural preserve. It supports the Akimel O’odham and Xalchidom Piipaash languages through teaching and learning.

This sovereign nation lies at the bottom of the Valley floor and is bordered by the Salt River. The government center is surrounded by argicultural land in a sub-urban setting East of Scottsdale, AZ.

This photo series is a study of light and dark, massing and form, as well as the composition of architecture and its image.

© 2013 charles crain photography; all rights reserved