Oasis in the Desert

Downtown districts of cities are usually the first areas to be developed and can inform one of how and why growth occurred in a particular instance. Las Vegas, an oasis within the Mojave desert, originated due to its strategic location in the Southwest US that provided spring water for westward travelers.

The area currently known as downtown Las Vegas, one of the first areas to be developed, is depressed due to economic downturn. An arts district is emerging in this district. However, its growth is hampered by a lack of foot traffic and local activity.

University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) is in need of a new building for the arts department to accommodate its expanding program.

The purpose of my thesis is to propose a satellite campus in Downtown Las Vegas that can house an arts building along with workshops and art galleries. The goal is to stimulate the development of the downtown arts district by developing strong interaction between the students and local arts activity.