Arizona Cancer Center Chapel
| Arizona Cancer Center Chapel | |
|---|---|
Soleri Chapel | |
Interactive map of the Arizona Cancer Center Chapel area | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Arcology |
| Location | Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, United States, 1515 N. Campbell Ave, Tucson, Arizona 85724 |
| Coordinates | 32°14′29″N 110°56′42″E / 32.2414059°N 110.9449310°E |
| Elevation | 717 ft (218 m) |
| Construction started | 1985 |
| Completed | 1986 |
| Client | University of Arizona, Arizona Cancer Center |
| Owner | State of Arizona |
| Landlord | University of Arizona |
| Height | |
| Height | 13.5 feet (4.1 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Silt sand-cast concrete barrel vault |
| Floor area | approx. 312 square feet (29.0 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Paolo Soleri |
| Structural engineer | F2DKM Architects & Engineers |
The Arizona Cancer Center Chapel, also known as the Soleri Chapel, is an architectural landmark located in the University of Arizona Cancer Center at 1515 North Campbell Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. It was designed by the Italian-American architect Paolo Soleri.[1]
Significance
Completed in 1986, the chapel was constructed in honor of Soleri’s wife, Colly, who died of cancer.[2] The chapel was commissioned by the University of Arizona in the 1980s and has been part of the university's Cancer Center since 1986.[3] That same year, the chapel’s design was presented during a touring exhibition organized by the Corcoran Gallery of Art, titled The Architectural Visions of Paolo Soleri.
Design and features
The chapel's design is characterized by sand-cast barrel-vaulted concrete ceilings with embedded botanical graphics and reflects the natural environment.[4][5] The chapel consists of 10 ceiling panels, a wall sculpture, decorative bells, and a stained glass window.[2]
Preservation efforts
When the Arizona Cancer Center expanded, the patient area, where the chapel is located, was reorganized into research spaces and offices. This change effectively closed the chapel to the public. It was later opened to the public as part of Tucson Modernism Week in 2013. The chapel was featured in the 2017 book Holy Modern and named a "Modern Architectural Classic" by the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation in 2018.[6]
Demolition attempt
In October 2023, the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, learning of the University of Arizona's plans to demolish the chapel, harvested and relocated artistic elements to decorate a new "meditation hallway" in the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. The plan was led by the University of Arizona Planning Department and the architecture firm Line and Space.[7]
The plan included sending the right side of the barrel-vault to the Cosanti Foundation and installing the remnant pieces in a concrete block hallway. Advocates, including Jim McPherson with the Arizona Preservation Foundation, Demion Clinco with Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, and elected leaders, including Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz and Arizona State RepresentativesChristopher Mathis and Betty Villegas, appealed to University of Arizona president Robert C. Robbins to prevent the destruction and pursue an alternative approach that would save the chapel. In December 2023, the University of Arizona Planning Department announced its intent to proceed with the destruction of the space.[8]
In December 2023, the chapel was added to the Arizona's Most Endangered Places list by the Arizona Preservation Foundation.[4] The Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission unanimously passed a resolution asking for the preservation of the chapel, emphasizing the importance of adhering to Arizona Revised Statute 41-864 and underscoring the responsibility of entities like the University of Arizona in preserving historical and cultural resources.[9]
In January 2024, the University of Arizona put the plans to demolish the chapel on "indefinite pause."[10] During the January 2024 Pima County Board of Supervisors Meeting, Matt Heinz proposed a resolution admonishing the university's decision to ignore the Arizona State Historic Preservation Act.[11]
As of January 2024, the chapel, still at the same location, remains closed to the public.[12]
References
- ^ Holy Modern: Celebrating Tucson's Mid‑century Modern Sacred Spaces, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, 2017
- ^ a b Thomas, Madison (18 January 2024). "Paolo Soleri Chapel will stay in current location for right now". KGUN 9 Tucson News. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ "Weil Center will be new home to famous installation | The University of Arizona Health Sciences". healthsciences.arizona.edu. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ a b Arizona Contractor & Community, Arizona Cancer Center Chapel by Architect Paolo Soleri, Named One of Arizona's Most Endangered Places, 12 December 2023.
- ^ Bennett, Gabriella (3 March 2024). "Let there always be light in our sacred buildings". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
- ^ Demion Clinco, 14, October, 2023, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation letter to Dr. Robert C. Robbins https://preservetucson.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/THPF-10-14-23-Subject_-Urgent-request-for-Preservation-of-Tucsons-Architectural-Gem_-The-University-of-Arizona-Cancer-Center-Chapel-2-1-1-2.pdf
- ^ Weil Center will be new home to famous installation, University of Arizona, 21 December 2023: https://healthsciences.arizona.edu/connect/stories/weil-cent er-will-be-new-home-famous-installation
- ^ Dianna M. Náñez and Carolina Cuellar, Arizona Luminaria, UA plans to dismantle iconic architect Paolo Soleri's hidden-gem chapel in Tucson, 9 December 2023
- ^ Mark Brodie, KJZZ, Preservationists are trying to save a University of Arizona chapel designed by Paolo Soleri, 19 December 2023
- ^ Wolfe, Ellie, Arizona Daily Star, U of A put move of historic Soleri Chapel on hold after public outcry, 17 January 2024. https://tucson.com/news/local/education/college/university-arizona-paolo-soleri-chapel-tucson-historic-preservation/article_5b003900-b570-11ee-838f-f73c1b7f026f.html
- ^ "Pima County - Meeting of Board of Supervisors on 1/9/2024 at 9:00 AM".
- ^ Thomas, Madison (18 January 2024). "Paolo Soleri Chapel will stay in current location for right now". KGUN 9 Tucson News. Retrieved 10 February 2026.