amazon flats: interior ceiling sculpture
HOUSING PROJECT OVERVIEW
Amazon Flats is a 59-unit new construction affordable housing project located at 1143 W. Miracle Mile in the Thrive in the ‘05 HUD Choice Neighborhood Implementation (CNI) area. Expected to break ground in Spring 2026, the project is being co-developed by El Pueblo Housing Development, the City’s nonprofit affordable housing arm, and Gorman & Company as the Housing Implementation Entity for Choice Neighborhoods. Amazon Flats will serve households earning up to 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) and include shared amenities such as a community room, a public plaza, and a resident yard/pert area. In addition to Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funding, which is the main source of financing, the project is also supported by HUD CNI funding and a City of Tucson HOME Loan.
PUBLIC ART COMPONENT
The skylight measures 7 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 5 feet deep, with a 6-foot vertical drop. The project team will provide the hanging mechanism for installation, and the artist will coordinate with the architect and structural engineer to determine the best hanging strategy/mechanism.
The artwork will be designed using materials suitable for a suspended sculpture, with consideration given to durability, ease of maintenance, and compatibility with the indoor environment. Use of light-responsive materials is encouraged to take advantage of the natural light from the skylight above. Possible materials include, but are not limited to, glass, ceramic, metal, resin, acrylic, or other mixed media elements that reflect, refract, or interact with light—such as mirrored surfaces, dichroic glass, perforated metals, translucent polymers, or reflective foils. Alternatively, dichroic glass may be installed in the skylight itself if the artist prefers to create an art piece that takes advantage of the light effects it provides. The maximum allowable weight for the installation is 1,500 lbs.”
TIMELINE
July – November 2026:
Design Meeting 1 (Panel and Artist): In the first meeting, the selected artist/team will meet with the panel to discuss the project’s community, place, and historical context. The artist(s) will use this input to create three conceptual designs for the next meeting.
Additional Design Meetings (Panel and Artist): In the second meeting, the artist(s) will present their concepts, along with proposed hanging methods for each, and the panel will select one design to develop further. If no design is chosen, the artist(s) will continue refining their concepts. The panel will meet as needed until a final design is approved. Opportunities for engaging with the broader community can be identified during the design phase.
November 2026-March 2027
Fabrication and Installation (Artist) : Estimated installation timeline: First quarter of 2027