Strip malls define our streetscapes. Here, and in suburbs across the country, strip malls are a fact of life. They are the wallflowers of thousands of streetscapes that millions of people travel daily. To envision a new future for this lowly (yet overabundant) building stock, SMoCA initiated a national competition that resulted in this exhibition of innovative proposals by a total of 35 architectural teams from around the country, for flipping local strip malls in Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix. What potential might there be for live/work developments, urban farming, social spaces and signature architecture in the no-man’s land of the strip mall? Flip a Strip posits exciting opportunities to turn this suburban cliché inside out. The five top competition award winners will be announced at 7pm, in front of the Museum.

For more information, visit the Flip a Strip website at http://www.flipastrip.org

SMoCA