Project Overview

The Pitt Barn at Pecan Lake

High-Performance SIP Construction for Hospitality and Entertainment

The Pitt Barn at Pecan Lake is a unique hospitality destination designed to serve as a restaurant and arcade, offering a comfortable, inviting environment for guests in Arizona’s challenging climate. The building combines durable construction with thoughtful interior spaces that support dining, entertainment, and social gathering, creating a destination experience that can operate efficiently year-round.

The multi-level structure includes a full concrete drive-in basement, a main floor with restaurant and entertainment space, an attached greenhouse area, and a loft level used for offices and meeting space. Together, these elements create a flexible hospitality venue that balances function, comfort, and long-term performance.

Design and Sustainability

The building was designed to accommodate high occupant loads, extended hours of operation, and varying interior uses—each with different comfort and performance demands. Interior spaces required consistent temperature control, reduced noise transfer, and durable wall assemblies suitable for a hospitality environment.

Sustainability and operational efficiency were key considerations. Energy performance, interior comfort, and long-term durability were prioritized to help manage ongoing operating costs while maintaining a pleasant guest experience in a hot, high-solar climate.

Why SIPs?

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) were selected to support the performance and construction needs of a hospitality building that must remain comfortable and efficient during peak use. The design team required a building system that delivered strong insulation, low air infiltration, and consistent interior conditions across restaurant, arcade, and office spaces.

SIPs also provided a panelized construction approach that simplified wall assemblies and supported efficient installation of both interior and exterior finishes—an important consideration for a project focused on durability, aesthetics, and long-term operation.

Benefits of SIPs

SIPs provided several key benefits for the Pitt Barn:

• Energy Efficiency and Comfort:
  Continuous insulation and reduced air leakage help maintain stable interior temperatures, improving comfort for guests and staff while lowering heating and cooling demands.

• Operational Performance:
  A high-performance SIP envelope supports consistent indoor conditions despite fluctuating occupancy levels and equipment loads typical of restaurant and arcade environments.

• Construction Efficiency:
  The panelized SIP system streamlined construction and simplified installation of finished wall treatments, reducing complexity and supporting overall build quality.

• Durability for Hospitality Use:
  SIP wall assemblies provide a solid, robust enclosure well suited to high-traffic hospitality spaces requiring long-term resilience.

Construction and Innovation

The project integrates SIP wall construction with a full concrete drive-in basement, allowing the building to support varied uses while maintaining envelope continuity. SIPs enabled clean transitions between public hospitality spaces, back-of-house areas, and office functions without sacrificing comfort or efficiency.

The system’s structural efficiency supported a flexible interior layout while maintaining consistent performance across all levels of the building.

Challenges and Solutions

Hospitality buildings face unique challenges, including extended operating hours, high internal heat gains, and the need for occupant comfort across diverse spaces. SIPs addressed these challenges by delivering a well-insulated, airtight envelope that reduces energy loss and supports consistent indoor conditions—critical for guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Key Features

• Hospitality building featuring restaurant and arcade uses

• Designed for high-occupancy public gathering and entertainment

• Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) wall construction

• High-performance building envelope supporting energy efficiency and interior comfort

• Durable construction suited for extended operating hours

• Designed for year-round operation in a hot, high-solar climate