Architectural Design in Indian Country The construction of properties in Indian Country is a multifaceted undertaking, whether building an entirely new facility or expanding an existing property. Consideration must be given to tribal culture in the design of the facility as well as to the convenience and comfort of the property's guests. This month Indian Gaming magazine talks with five architectural firms about their recent projects in Indian Country. 52 Indian Gaming June 2006 Guests enjoy the redesigned pool at Avi Resort & Casino
AVI RESORT & CASINO Laughlin, Nevada YWS Architects The premier goal of the Avi Resort & Casino project was to provide convenience and memorable experiences for visitors. The project involved creating a tri-level parking garage to increase the amount of parking stalls while offering height accommodations for oversized vehicles, such as RVs and trucks. The project also included enhancing the Beach Club and pool area. YWS Architects, Ltd. met the tribe's goals through assisting in the execution of a master plan project. First, the company assisted in the engineering of a 670-stall parking garage and pedestrian connector project, which opened in December 2005. The parking garage features accessibility for large vehicles and a bridge connection to the casino. The second tier of the master plan project entailed the expansion of the Beach Club and a redesign of the pool. Originally, the pool was on the north side of the property away from the river and the Beach Club. YWS Architects proposed that the Beach Club be combined with the pool amenity. By combining the two functions and conveniently locating the two in closer proximity to beach access, it would provide a central location for staffing, in addition to river accessibility convenience for clientele. Finally, the Beach Club and pool enhancement included a move of the Beach Club Retail and Jet Ski rental facility closer to the beachfront, an expansion of the restrooms and showers and a common kitchen to serve guests in both the pool and beach area. The Beach Club and lagoon-style pool opened to the public on May 1, 2006. Located in Laughlin, Nevada, Avi Resort and Casino revamped its amenities to offer drive-in accessibility and beachfront convenience. YWS Architects assisted in the design and engineering of the tailored parking garage and the relocation and enrichment of the 23,800 sq. ft. Beach Club and pool component. The project encompassed the Beach Club building, which included a retail shop, an eatery with outdoor seating and pool deck services, a pool and a spa deck featuring a rock-composed waterfall. YWS Architects located the pool between the casino and the beach to offer the river experience with resort-style exclusivity. Also, by creating a central location for the Beach Club and pool, YWS Architects produced greater efficiencies for reduced staffing requirements. Finally, YWS Architects respected the tribe's plans for future expansions by locating the updated amenities in under-utilized locations. June 2006 Indian Gaming 53
BEAR RIVER CASINO Loleta, California Group West Companies Located in the rolling hills overlooking the Eel River Valley and the Pacific Ocean, the Bear River Casino in Loleta, California has enjoyed tremendous success. Since it's opening in August of 2005 it has won many local awards including best casino, family dining and sports bar. The Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria teamed with the architectural and interior design firm Group West Companies to create a project that not only fits well into the rural community it serves, but continues to exceed the Tribe's financial goals and expectations. The 30,000 sq. ft. facility includes space for 350 gaming machines, an assortment of table games, a poker room, sports bar and a full service restaurant. On any given night standing room only crowds of sports fanatics can be found at the Thirsty Bear Sports Bar & Grill. Its design also includes a 160 sq. ft. double sided projection screen that links the gaming floor to the sports action. To complete the design team, the tribe retained J.E. Dunn Construction as the at-risk construction manager with a stated directive from the tribe to deliver the project on time and on budget without compromising the tribe's vision. That vision included the creation of a high energy gaming facility that integrated historically significant tribal images into the design of the building and reinforced the Bear River theme. Group West worked closely with Tribal leadership and the construction team to create a project that respected and cared for the environment by protecting and enhancing the on-site wetlands. To save water, reclaimed water from the wastewater treatment facility is used for fire suppression systems, toilet flushing, irrigation systems and is also made available to the local fire department for fighting fires in the community. Creating a building form that integrated well into the rural environment and the surrounding homes, specific attention was given to reducing the bulk and scale of the building through the use of low roof lines, deep overhangs and building forms typical to the area. Particular attention was also paid to the placement of exterior lighting to accent the building and provide security lighting for the parking areas without negatively impacting the surrounding neighbors. Incorporated into the interiors are symbols of plants and animals that are historically important to the Tribe and are found in the natural environment. Group West worked closely with Tribal Council and Tribal member John McGinnis to design unique carpet for the gaming areas that included references to salmon, bears, and the surrounding forests. Carved edge-lit plexiglass panels also in the form of bears, running rivers and salmon, bring these traditional motifs into the gaming environment in a visually stimulating way. The construction budget continued to be challenged throughout due to rapidly increasing construction materials costs and poor soils conditions. Ultimately the continuing commitment on the part of the project s team to work creatively and collectively throughout the project's duration challenging the budgets, identifying priorities, taking advantage of sub-contractor input and to ongoing value analysis resulted in the successful completion of this exciting project. 54 Indian Gaming June 2006
MORONGO CASINO RESORT & SPA Cabazon, California Thalden Boyd Architects The Morongo Casino Resort & Spa was designed to be a destination resort. As the tallest structure in inland California, it springs from the desert like a flower in bloom. It is an oasis with color, light, and water as it's main themes. As the Architects of record, Thalden-Boyd Architects is extremely honored to have been a part of this amazing creation. The property structures total 680,000 sq. ft., including a 28 story tower, 310- room hotel, a pool with a lazy river, stateof-the-art spa, 150,000 sq. ft. of gaming space, three night clubs, banquet facilities and nine restaurants. Once you arrive, you won't want to leave. Two important objectives were to create a memorable experience for visitors and to pay attention to details. From the lighting to the music selection to the carpet, every detail was thoroughly considered. This property was designed with the comforts of the guests in mind. The Morongo Casino Resort stands as a tribute to the vision and persistence of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and for future generations, it provides the opportunity to make dreams come true. June 2006 Indian Gaming 55
MYSTIC LAKE CASINO HOTEL Prior Lake, Minnesota Bergman, Walls & Associates Bergman, Walls & Associates, Ltd, of Las Vegas are the architects for the new clubhouse and pro shop at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. The tribe decided to locate the clubhouse adjacent to its gaming facility. The primary design features included a dining venue, retail store, golf cart parking, and support infrastructure. On the lower level, housekeeping offices for the hotel were also included in the design. Initially, Joel Bergman, President of Bergman and Walls, met with the tribe's representatives and developed a design for the 'look' of the clubhouse, which ultimately evolved into an octagon nestled between the two existing hotel towers. After the building footprint was completed, each area was carefully reviewed to ensure that all design requirements were met. During the review a spa was added, which was subsequently included in the design. An exterior dining patio was also added, overlooking the signature island green #18. As the design process progressed, a number of other features were also added, including the trellis over the dining bar and a storefront divider wall with an elegant arched entry separating the pro shop from the promenade leading to the hotel. On the exterior, dormers were added to enhance the roof, and copper was added to the fascia and trim that will age naturally, giving the building a unique elegance. On May 15, 2006 the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community opened The Meadows at Mystic Lake Golf Course and their new clubhouse, which includes a pro shop, a practice range, putting greens, a restaurant, a spa, and a golf simulator. The pro shop contains a large retail space with everything a golfer might need including clothing, golf clubs, outerwear, golf balls, and other accessories. Also new to the casino resort is a spa offering therapeutic massage, a sauna, whirlpool, and exercise equipment, all located next to the swimming pool inside adjacent Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. The clubhouse also contains The Meadows Grille, a 120-seat restaurant with outdoor seating available. 56 Indian Gaming June 2006
SENECA NIAGARA CASINO & HOTEL Niagara Falls, New York JCJ Architecture Design and construction of the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel represents the beginning of a vision for the future intended to restore the former glory of one of America's top tourist destinations. The casino itself represents the first phase in a ten-year, six-block development plan. The total project also represents the ever-increasing sophistication of the casino as an important public building type and catalyst for economic renaissance. Due to the limited amenities of the existing facility, as well as a lack of hotel options in the immediate area for overnight guests, phase II of the Seneca Nation's master plan included the construction of a luxury hotel. Several representatives were involved with JCJ Architecture during the design of Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel to ensure that the hotel reflected some tribal cultural history as well as met the needs of its management team. The patterns and graphic elements that reflect the culture of the Seneca Nation are quite varied, creating a very interesting design mixture for the building. Decorative friezes along lobby walls reflect traditional Seneca border patterns; a large panel centered above the revolving door at the main entry features a custom, sculptural depiction of The Tree of Peace (either designed by, or in conjunction with Seneca artisans); and the textural treatment of the walls to either side of the main entry wall is a stylistic representation of woven basketry, which lends a natural, yet sophisticated finish to this important public circulation space. Phase II continues the implementation of the Seneca Nation's Master Development Plan and introduces a conference/convention hotel and gaming complex with additional structured parking. The new world-class hotel hosts 604 rooms, 17,000 sq. ft. of food and beverage and retail amenities, a 35,000 sq. ft. gaming area, and a 19,000 sq. ft. spa and pool, as well as a new 2,300 car parking garage with 11 bus bays. The new luxury hotel offers 26 levels of pure excitement, is the largest hotel in the region, and was designed to assert Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel's position as the premier resort destination in all of New York. Guests enjoy every amenity imaginable - deluxe rooms, flat screen TVs, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. June 2006 Indian Gaming 57