{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}{{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox building | name = Arizona Cancer Center Chapel | native_name = Soleri Chapel | image = | caption = Arizona Cancer Center Chapel | pushpin_map = | architectural_style = Arcology | structural_system = Silt sand-cast concrete barrel vault | cost = | location = Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, United States | client = University of Arizona, Arizona Cancer Center | owner = State of Arizona | current_tenants = | address = 1515 N. Campbell Ave, Tucson, Arizona 85724 | landlord = University of Arizona | coordinates = {{coord|32.2414059|110.9449310}} | altitude = 717 ft (218 m) | construction_start_date = 1985 | completion_date = {{end date|1986}} | height = {{convert|13.5|ft|m}} | public_transit = | floor_area = approx. {{convert|312|sqft|m2}} | architect = Paolo Soleri | structural_engineer = F2DKM Architects & Engineers | embedded = | references = }}

The '''Arizona Cancer Center Chapel''' (also known as the '''Soleri Chapel''') is an architectural landmark located in the University of Arizona Cancer Center, at 1515 North Campbell Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. It was designed by Italian American architect Paolo Soleri.<ref>Holy Modern: Celebrating Tucson's Mid‑century Modern Sacred Spaces, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, 2017</ref> == History == Completed in 1986, the chapel was constructed in commemoration of Soleri’s wife, Colly Soleri, who died of cancer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paolo Soleri: Life and Work |url=https://www.cosanti.org/paolo-soleri/ |website=Cosanti Foundation |access-date=25 March 2026}}</ref> The chapel was commissioned by the University of Arizona in the 1980s, and has been associated with the University’s Cancer Center since its completion in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of Arizona Cancer Center History |url=https://cancercenter.arizona.edu/about/history |website=University of Arizona |access-date=25 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Soleri Chapel at UArizona |url=https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/soleri-chapel |website=Architectural Record |access-date=25 March 2026}}</ref> That same year, the chapel’s design was featured in the traveling exhibition ''The Architectural Visions of Paolo Soleri'', organized by the Corcoran Gallery of Art.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Soleri |first=Paolo |title=The Architectural Visions of Paolo Soleri |publisher=Corcoran Gallery of Art |year=1986}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Corcoran Gallery Exhibition Archives |url=https://americanart.si.edu/research/exhibitions/corcoran |website=Smithsonian American Art Museum |access-date=25 March 2026}}</ref> == Design == The chapel's design is characterized by sand-cast barrel-vaulted concrete ceilings with embedded botanical graphics and reflects the natural environment.<ref name="auto">Arizona Contractor & Community, Arizona Cancer Center Chapel by Architect Paolo Soleri, Named One of Arizona's Most Endangered Places, 12 December 2023.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Gabriella |date=2024-03-03 |title=Let there always be light in our sacred buildings |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/property-home/article/let-there-always-be-light-in-our-sacred-buildings-n9ctkhhq0 |access-date=2025-12-20 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref> The chapel consists of 10 ceiling panels, a wall sculpture, decorative bells, and a stained glass window.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Madison |date=2024-01-18 |title=Paolo Soleri Chapel will stay in current location for right now |url=https://www.kgun9.com/news/community-inspired-journalism/midtown-news/paolo-soleri-chapel-will-stay-in-current-location-for-right-now |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=KGUN 9 Tucson News |language=en}}</ref>

== Preservation efforts == When the Arizona Cancer Center expanded, the patient area, where the chapel is located, was reorganized into research spaces and offices. This change effectively closed the chapel to the public. It was later opened to the public as part of Tucson Modernism Week in 2013. The chapel was featured in the 2017 book ''Holy Modern'' and was named "Modern Architectural Classic" by the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation in 2018.<ref>Demion Clinco, 14, October, 2023, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation letter to Dr. Robert C. Robbins

https://preservetucson.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/THPF-10-14-23-Subject_-Urgent-request-for-Preservation-of-Tucsons-Architectural-Gem_-The-University-of-Arizona-Cancer-Center-Chapel-2-1-1-2.pdf</ref>

=== Demolition attempt === In October 2023, the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, learning of the University of Arizona's plans to demolish the chapel, harvested and relocated artistic elements to decorate a new "meditation hallway" in the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. The plan was led by the University of Arizona Planning Department and the architecture firm Line and Space.<ref>Weil Center will be new home to famous installation, University of Arizona, 21 December 2023: https://healthsciences.arizona.edu/connect/stories/weil-cent er-will-be-new-home-famous-installation</ref> The plan included sending the right side of the barrel-vault to the Cosanti Foundation and installing the remnant pieces in a concrete block hallway.

Advocates, including Jim McPherson with the Arizona Preservation Foundation, Demion Clinco with Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, and elected leaders, including Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz, and Arizona State Representatives Christopher Mathis and Betty Villegas, appealed to University of Arizona president Robert C. Robbins to pursue an alternative approach that would prevent the destruction of the chapel. In December 2023, the University of Arizona Planning Department announced its intent to proceed with the destruction of the space.<ref>Dianna M. Náñez and Carolina Cuellar, Arizona Luminaria, UA plans to dismantle iconic architect Paolo Soleri's hidden-gem chapel in Tucson, 9 December 2023</ref>

In December 2023, the chapel was added to Arizona's Most Endangered Places list by the Arizona Preservation Foundation.<ref name="auto"/> The Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission unanimously passed a resolution asking for the preservation of the chapel, emphasizing the importance of adhering to Arizona Revised Statute 41-864, and underscoring the responsibility of entities like the University of Arizona in preserving historical and cultural resources.<ref>Mark Brodie, KJZZ, Preservationists are trying to save a University of Arizona chapel designed by Paolo Soleri, 19 December 2023</ref>

In January 2024, the University of Arizona put the plans to demolish the chapel on "indefinite pause."<ref>Wolfe, Ellie, Arizona Daily Star, U of A put move of historic Soleri Chapel on hold after public outcry, 17 January 2024. https://tucson.com/news/local/education/college/university-arizona-paolo-soleri-chapel-tucson-historic-preservation/article_5b003900-b570-11ee-838f-f73c1b7f026f.html</ref> During the January 2024 Pima County Board of Supervisors Meeting, Matt Heinz proposed a resolution admonishing the university's decision to ignore the Arizona State Historic Preservation Act.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pima.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1124561&GUID=BE498785-F224-4935-A103-8D1F968828B7&Options=info%7C&Search= | title=Pima County - Meeting of Board of Supervisors on 1/9/2024 at 9:00 AM }}</ref>

As of January 2024, the chapel is still at the same location, although it remains closed to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Madison |date=2024-01-18 |title=Paolo Soleri Chapel will stay in current location for right now |url=https://www.kgun9.com/news/community-inspired-journalism/midtown-news/paolo-soleri-chapel-will-stay-in-current-location-for-right-now |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=KGUN 9 Tucson News |language=en}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{Tucson, Arizona}}

Category:Art in Arizona Category:Chapels in the United States Category:Churches in Tucson, Arizona Category:Museums in Tucson, Arizona Category:Churches completed in 1986 Category:National Register of Historic Places in Arizona Category:Properties of religious function on the National Register of Historic Places in Texas Category:1986 establishments in Arizona Category:Modernist architecture in Arizona Category:University and college chapels in the United States Category:University and college buildings and structures completed in 1986 Category:Buildings and structures in Tucson, Arizona Category:University and college buildings and structures in Arizona Category:Modernist architecture in the United States Category:Religious buildings and structures in Arizona Category:University of Arizona Category:Tourist attractions in Tucson, Arizona Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1986 Category:Religious buildings and structures in Tucson, Arizona Category:Buildings and structures in Pima County, Arizona Category:1980s architecture in the United States Category:Hospital chapels