Gallery: Andrew Weil Center wins international award

A modern indoor lounge area with floor-to-ceiling windows features four bright orange chairs arranged around a small table with a plant. Natural light fills the space, highlighting views of desert landscaping and nearby buildings outside, with a tall potted cactus in the foreground.
Modern building with tall rust-colored metal panels and large glass windows, elevated on stilts above a shaded walkway. Green trees frame the structure against a bright blue desert sky, blending natural and industrial design elements.
Close-up of three round metallic ventilation ducts mounted in a row on a gray concrete block wall. The vents project outward with a smooth, industrial design, catching light from nearby windows.
A modern architectural setting with two buildings facing each other. On the left, a multi-story structure showcases a series of vertical and horizontal rusty metal panels with glass windows underneath. The building on the right features a smooth, curved overhang extending above a walkway, offering shade. Below the left building, there is a landscaped area with a few small trees and desert plants. The sky is clear and bright blue.
An upward view of a building corner against a vibrant blue sky. On the left, rusty metal beams project outward, forming a canopy-like structure. To the right, a concrete wall made of evenly stacked, uniform gray blocks extends upward, sharply intersecting with the metal and glass section. The composition highlights the geometric alignment and contrasting materials used in the building's architecture.
A section of a large metal structure against a clear blue sky. The structure is composed of overlapping rectangular panels with a perforated texture, creating a layered, geometric pattern. The panels are rust-colored, giving them a weathered and industrial appearance. A single metal beam extends perpendicularly from the left side of the structure, adding an element of contrast to the primarily vertical alignment of the panels.
A modern building at dusk, featuring an extensive use of glass and steel. The structure is multi-leveled with large windows throughout, reflecting the clear blue sky. The building's exterior features a combination of exposed metal beams and panels. The brightly lit interior is visible through the glass, creating a warm contrast against the cool evening. In the foreground, there are landscaped areas with desert plants and a pathway leading to the entrance.
A modern office corner with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing a clear view of the street outside. Two brown leather chairs with metal frames are positioned on either side of a small round table. A small potted plant and a closed book or magazine rest on the table. Through the large windows, a sunny street scene is visible, featuring a wide road lined with trees and a few buildings.

Opened in April 2024, the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine's new home has quickly become one of the University of Arizona's most distinctive landmarks. The three-building complex, located on East Mabel Street near the University of Arizona Health Sciences campus, blends sustainability, architectural innovation and the principles of integrative health.

The Andrew Weil Center's eye-catching architecture was recently recognized at the 2025 International Architecture Awards, receiving an honorable mention in the Schools and Universities category.

Founded in 1994, the center has long led the field of integrative medicine, and the new facility reflects that mission. From the abundance of natural sunlight streaming through its curved hallways to the expansive metal louvers that define much of its exterior, everything about the center is designed to enhance well-being. 

The Andrew Weil Center also embodies seven tenets of integrative health: sleep, resilience, environment, movement, relationships, spirituality and nutrition. Throughout the complex, interior spaces encourage both academic growth and reflection, from a teaching kitchen and library to collaborative areas for group yoga and music-driven relaxation.

For those involved in the design, development and construction of the Andrew Weil Center, earning international recognition highlights the revolutionary healthcare principles that guided the building's creation.

"It was a joy working with the architects and design team to bring abstract concepts together and intentionally create spaces that enhance well-being," said Dr. Esther Sternberg, the center's founding director of research. "We developed these buildings to become the flagship for what is possible when you thoughtfully and intentionally design a space to bring the seven domains of integrative health to life."

(Learn more about the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine's award-winning design in this story.)

Sept. 22, 2025