Cotton Architecture + Design

08/18/2026

August is Ambulatory Surgery Center Month, and this week we are highlighting a project that gave us to opportunity to apply thoughtful design within tough existing building conditions: Virtuous Health Tempe ASC.
What began as a simple request to bring an ASC up to current standards quickly revealed the need for a thorough rework and master planning of the existing building to fulfill the new requirements. Required scope included a new 2-operating room surgical suite carefully designed to fit within a space that featured an irregular L-shaped footprint, load bearing masonry walls, and a low roof structure by surgery center standards.

The design team evaluated three options: raise the roof, which blows the budget; demolish the bearing walls, which turns the renovation into a rebuild; or find a way to use the height that already existed.

The solution involved close collaboration between our team, our engineering consultants, and the general contractor. Each piece of major infrastructure was modeled and coordinated in 3D to ensure it could fit within the existing structure. The taller operating rooms were located in the center of the building within the existing structural masonry, with support spaces located along the perimeter. These support and admin spaces have less strict height requirements and could be shifted to the perimeter where overhead space was tightest.

Upon completion, this highly efficient surgery center showcased the best of what can be done with a uniquely challenging building and a collaborative project team, resulting in thoughtful patient and staff accommodations and beautiful design.

08/06/2026

August is National Ambulatory Surgery Center month. Since their introduction in 1970, ASCs have grown into an efficient, cost-effective alternative to receiving surgical care outside of a traditional hospital setting. This is a market we specialize in here at Cotton Architecture + Design, having programmed and designed numerous surgery centers of varying specialties and complexities. We have built a strong foundation of expertise through hands-on experience and keeping up with the latest industry trends.
Follow along this month as we share our knowledge, key project highlights, and thoughts on the state of this sector into the future.

07/08/2026

Following a highly anticipated ribbon cutting ceremony, the new Advanced Spine and Pain (ASAP) clinic and ASC is officially open and seeing patients! Every element of this 12,000 SF ground-up facility was thoughtfully designed to balance efficiency and patient comfort. A warm, hospitable finish palette blends elements of healthcare and hospitality, creating a space that feels approachable and calming for patients while supporting the clinical needs of the staff. Careful planning of the surgery center and clinic spaces allows the ASAP team to deliver a wide scope of pain management services to patients in a streamlined environment.
It was a rewarding moment for our team to attend the grand opening and see the space ready for patients. Thank you ASAP for giving us the opportunity to be part of this project, and thank you to the project team for putting it all together! We are excited to see the impact this facility will have in the West Valley!

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July from all of us at Cotton! We hope you enjoy America's 250th with good food, good company and good times!

07/01/2026

It’s another big week at Cotton as we welcome Netra Chakravarthy to the team as our newest Job Captain!

Netra brings a strong background in design and production, paired with an artistic eye that sets her apart. She has already hit the ground running helping out with our healthcare projects, where her attention to detail and creativity will be a great addition to the team.

Welcome aboard Netra! Let’s build great things together!

06/24/2026

Cotton Architecture + Design, llc principal and Arizona SFx representative Ryan Short will be taking part in another great AIA Arizona event geared towards the unique challenges, strategies, and experiences of starting and running small firms. Next month's session will offer the chance for participants to hear and learn from the esteemed Diane R. Jacobs, FAIA as well as from each other in small group discussions. All small firm-ers should attend! RSVP via the link: https://lnkd.in/gppCbSu4

All are welcome to an inspiring evening of practice, craft, and connection hosted by the AIA Arizona Small Firm Exchange (SFx) on Thursday, July 23. This session will bring the SFx community inside the office of Holly Street Studio for a candid look at what it takes not just to launch a practice, but to sustain a resilient business and a lasting architectural studio. Holly Street Studio principal Diane R. Jacobs, FAIA, will share the firm’s story from early visioning through shifting economic cycles and the realities of running a design-driven small practice.

Following the featured conversation, attendees will break into small groups of four to six to trade strategies, challenges, and lessons learned of their own.

Featured presenter and small group facilitators include:
Diane R. Jacobs, FAIA, Founding Principal at Holly Street Studio
Taz Khatri, AIA, Principal at Taz Khatri Studios
Ryan Short, AIA, Principal at Cotton Architecture + Design, llc
Cassandra Updike, AIA, Principal at Cornerstone Architecture

Attendees will receive 1.0 LU from AIA.
Free for all AIA Members (Architect, Associate & Allied). $10 for Non-Members. Please RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustaining-a-design-driven-small-practice-an-aia-arizona-sfx-event-tickets-1992381843728

06/19/2026

This weekend represents both the first days of summer and the first days of Cotton's very first employee, Madeleine Clermont! Madeleine’s journey over the last 6 years has seen her grow into a leader within the firm, and benefited Cotton in countless ways. Her impact is most notable in many of our complex healthcare projects, from surgery centers to ground up medical office developments.

Madeleine's emphasis is always on client service but also on supporting a positive and fun working environment inside of Cotton.

Happy 6th anniversary, Madeleine. Thank you for everything you've done!

06/03/2026

We are very excited to celebrate Jill Sinadinos and her one-year anniversary with Cotton Architecture + Design!

Over the past year, Jill has become an integral part of Cotton, helping us stay organized, focused, and moving forward every day. While one year may not seem like a long time, it's hard to imagine our team without her.

As our Office Coordinator, Jill wears many hats. From keeping projects on track and supporting our team behind the scenes to organizing team-building events and ensuring the office runs smoothly, Jill plays a critical role in making things happen at Cotton.

Beyond everything she does, Jill brings positivity and a genuine care for both our team and our work. Her contributions have made a meaningful impact on our culture and on the day-to-day success of our firm.

From all of us at Cotton, thank you, Jill, for everything you've contributed during your first year. We're grateful to have you on the team and excited to see what we accomplish together in the years ahead.

Congratulations on your one-year anniversary!

05/26/2026

Cotton and our extended family of +1s traveled 150 miles and up 7,000 feet to spend a weekend in Flagstaff. After our first afternoon spent in the trees at Flagstaff Extreme, this year's Cotton retreat was a laid-back excursion. We saw the town, explored the nearby natural parks, and met up for evenings of good food, fun, & games!

05/15/2026

Today we are celebrating Holden Matonak on his 4-year anniversary with Cotton Architecture + Design. From the start, Holden has been an essential member of Cotton's team, executing complex tasks though his expertise in BIM management and detailing.

Holden continues to impress and innovate by exploring new strategies, delving into building science related issues, and always pulling the team together to share knowledge of what he has developed or researched which keeps us all performing at our best!

Congratulations and thank you, Holden, for these four years and the impact you've made. We’re grateful to have you!