Cocopah Museum Expansion

Located on the Cocopah Reservation near the U.S.–Mexico border in Yuma, Arizona, this new 1,200 sf gallery expands the existing Cocopah Museum and Cultural Center. As a federally designated repository of Cocopah history and culture, the museum plays a critical role in preserving and sharing the stories of the Cocopah people. The new addition supports this mission by providing space for rotating exhibitions and future programming that centers Indigenous perspectives.

Designed and built on a modest budget, the gallery reflects a strong commitment to cultural stewardship, environmental responsiveness, and design simplicity. The new structure stands apart from the original building, creating a network of indoor and outdoor spaces connected by paved pathways and native plantings. This spatial strategy echoes traditional Cocopah settlements, where daily life moved fluidly between built and natural environments.

The building is a single rectangular volume oriented to respond to prevailing sun paths and site views. Its compact footprint minimizes disturbance and complements the surrounding landscape. Site planning prioritizes low impact, utilizing existing infrastructure for stormwater management.

Material choices further root the building in its desert context. Concrete walls are cast with OSB formwork and pigmented to reflect the tones and textures of the surrounding soil. Steel elements, including a trellis made from exposed rebar, are designed to weather naturally over time, integrating the structure into its environment.

This small but meaningful project demonstrates the power of architecture to support cultural continuity and place-based identity. It offers a dignified, flexible setting for sharing knowledge across generations and honors the Cocopah people’s enduring relationship to their land, heritage, and future.