Powerhouse: The Engaged Regionalism of Judith Chafee’s Architecture

Powerhouse celebrates the visionary work of Judith Chafee (1932–1998), a pioneering Southwest architect whose practice synthesized architecture, art, landscape, and ecological stewardship. The exhibition features Framing the Desert, curated by Christopher Domin and Kathryn McGuire for the University of Arizona, with architectural photography by Bill Timmerman, graphic panels tracing Chafee’s career, and scale models of three of her projects: the Blackwell Residence, Ramada House, and Viewpoint. Together, these works illustrate Chafee’s ethos of regionalism defined by her sensitivity to climate, topography, materials, and culture. Her work challenged architectural conventions in the Southwest, creating a potential methodology for constructing the region’s future built environment. Through programming developed by Glenn Erikson, architect and Chafee’s mentee, Powerhouse invites viewers to consider the future of architecture in a region facing profound environmental change.