Gathering Area at the Pima Indian Cultural Center

A new application of Cast Earth was unveiled with a gathering area consisting of a U-shaped bench (banca in earthbuilding language) surrounding an integral fire pit. This exterior application utilized a hardened Cast Earth mix to impart weather resistance and was highly pigmented as may be seen below. The banca is the first use of battered (slanted) forming to provide a more comfortable seating arrangement than a simple rectangular profile; both the seat backs and the lower leg area of the bench are angled planes sloping away from the occupant.

Architect: Phil Weddle, Blossom Design Group, Tempe, AZ

Construction: Mountain Earth Technologies, Prescott, AZ

It is anticipated that this small facility is the first step in creating a 13,000 sq. ft. cultural center of Cast Earth for the Pimas.

The view below is a shot of the banca seating area and part of the fire pit, while under construction:

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