TSG Foundation Center for Spiritual Development

New Facilities Award

GHC Orcutt | Winslow

Scottsdale, Arizona

The TSG Foundation Center for Spiritual Development is focused on a comprehensive spiritual educational program of life enhancement teachings that were written and designed by the internationally recognized scholar, philosopher, and author Torkom Saraydarian.

A meandering desert entry welcomes visitors and provides selective glimpses of the TSG Center. A bridge links the parking areas to the building by crossing a shallow wash, giving visitors a time for pause and reflection as they approach or leave the building.

The center is infused with a sense of mindfulness that leverages the natural environment by creating connections to the outdoors, axially rotated on the site to
welcome the southern winter sunlight, northern views of the Carefree Mountains, and opportunities for nighttime star-viewing events.

Gita Saraydarian, inspired by her father’s lifelong work, continues to lead the center and has established a worldwide audience as a creative educator for progressive ideas, transformation, and goodwill. The teaching lays the foundation for living a life of integrity and purpose and is a universal guide for humanity. At its core, the foundation seeks to empower people to unfold their potential and transform their lives to increase happiness, joy, creativity, and abundance.

Jury Comments

This project feels so respectful of its surroundings, so perfect for its desert site. It becomes a cloak for the building, which frames the site and the surroundings. The stepping ceiling is a nice detail.

Project Team Members

Ashley Mulhall / Project Manager
John Cantrell / Project Designer
Erica Weimann / Interior Designer
Avi Hapenciuc / Architectural Staff
Bhoomi Desai / Architectural Staff
Mike Nandin / Custom Graphics

Project Consultants

DHE
Kimley Horn
SEG
180 Degrees
ottocrete

Photo Credit / Kyle Zirkus