Sustainable Building
The museum’s sustainable building is a work of art and tells a modern Western story! Both indoor and outdoor spaces are LEED® Gold certified in 2016 for conserving precious natural resources, while raising public awareness of their vital importance to the Western region.
The building’s sustainability features include:
- Optimal energy efficiency with a 38 percent reduction in energy use over the baseline energy code requirement
- Water saving features, such as the “weeping wall” in the sculpture garden that collects rainwater from the roof and 100 percent of the condensation from the building’s HVAC system to water the plants on the museum campus
- Materials selection with more than 75 percent of nonhazardous debris from the building’s construction recycled or salvaged.
Awards Granted to Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
2021
True West Magazine
“The Nation’s Best Western Museum”
TripAdvisor.com
One of the Top 5 Attractions in Scottsdale and #1 Museum in Scottsdale
Tripexpert.com
Experts Choice Award
2020
True West Magazine
“The Nation’s Best Western Museum”
Tilt-Up Concrete Association
“Tilt-Up Achievement Award for Excellence”
Arizona Indian Festival
Title Sponsor
2019
NY Times
“36 Hours in Scottsdale” (Top 11 Things to Do)
True West Magazine
“The Nation’s Best Western Museum”
Phoenix Magazine
“Best Place to Get AZ Stuff”
2018
True West Magazine
“The Nation’s Best Western Museum”
Sunset Magazine
“10 Amazing Art Museums in the West (#1 of 10)”
U.S. Green Building Council
Local Leader Award – Arizona
Green Building Legacy Award
2017
True West Magazine
“The Nation’s Best Western Museum”
USA Today
“Must-see Exhibits”
2016
True West Magazine
“The Nation’s Best Western Museum”
U.S. Green Building Council
Indoor and Outdoor spaces certified LEED® Gold
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
American Society of Landscape Architects
Award of Excellence—Arizona Chapter
2015
American Society of Interior Designers
Presidential Citation, Enhancement of the Arts
American Institute of Architects Arizona
Distinguished Building Honor Award
Sunset Magazine
“Hot List”