Lost Dog Wash Access Area

Outside suburban Scottsdale, Arizona, the rugged desert landscape of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is home to mountain lions, hawks, badgers, and saguaro cacti. Currently consisting of approximately 11,500 acres, plans are in place to expand the protected area to over 36,000 acres. In order to better serve visitors seeking to enjoy the Preserve, the city funded the design and construction of the award-winning Lost Dog Wash Access Area, which opened in May of 2006. The 3900 square foot facility includes group rooms, an interpretive area, restrooms, a picnic spot, parking, a small amphitheater, and an equestrian area. It is expected to soon be just one of nine such access areas around the Preserve.

In addition to specifying green technologies like porous pavement, rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems, and photovoltaics, the design team from Weddle Gilmore Architects chose Clivus composting toilet systems for the building’s restrooms--to conserve water and prevent the need to tie into a distant sewer line. And in order to provide visitors with a familiar experience, the team decided on foam-flush toilet fixtures, which have the look and feel of conventional flush toilets but use just a fraction of the water.