The Highland District Master Plan is a medium-density campus precinct for student residential living and other mixed uses that is being developed over a twenty-year period. The master plan created a new gateway entrance to the campus and linked several student life facilities located at the southern edge of campus, including a new commons center, athletic fields and the Wildcat Stadium. New building design is inspired by vernacular Arizona architecture, with structures clustered together for self-shading in the extremely hot climate.

The building and landscape code for the precinct controls the principal exterior spaces, massing and architectural elements, mediating between indoors and outdoors while still allowing for stylistic freedom. Coded elements include courtyards, arcades, covered passages, and exterior and interior public living spaces. Palms, cacti and acacia trees form the basis of a unique desert land­scaping palette. Buildings are sited around a number of courtyards and gardens with passive cooling wind towers, fostering sustainability, security and outdoor living.