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Masonry Industry Promotion Group
Project Focus Masonry
is the Foundation of Award-Winning Design Every once in awhile architects get the opportunity to do a “great” project a project where the client is looking for more than an average box. When Modern Electric Water Company sought out Bernardo Wills Architects to design their new facility, they were looking for much more than a box and the award-winning result gave them a building which not only met their needs, but created a striking design and presence for the Spokane valley utility company. An intriguing combination of materials, colors, textures, and geometric shapes wedges, boxes and arcs work together to create a facility that is harmonious, functional, and a pleasant surprise in an area generally lacking architectural character. As a merit award winner in the AIA Spokane chapter 2000 Design Awards Competition, the jury expressed appreciation for the vitality of the project. Burnished concrete masonry units and structural brick form the foundation for a design that is distinctly modern. Departments that had formerly been housed in four separate buildings are now integrated into one 13,850 sq. ft. facility that also allows for future growth. A large wedge shaped form constructed of red-brown colored jumbo structural brick topped with a slate gray metal roof houses the water and electrical operations. The public and administrative functions occupy a lower wedge and cube and are separated by a semi-circular wall and sunscreens. The lower wedge and cube forms are constructed of terra cotta-clay colored burnished concrete block and sloped slate gray metal roofs.
The semi-circular elements are made of silver curved composite metal panels and green tinted glass with forest green window frames and flat roofs. James M. Choate-Deeds, AIA, principal designer for the project at Bernardo Wills, described a design process that included representatives from each of the company’s departments in order to consider the needs and concerns of all employees as well as customers. The masonry building projects an image of strength and dignity combined with a fresh and futuristic style. The interior of the building features exposed CMUs and brick where possible. The high ceiling rooms are filled with daylight, warm wood elements, and pleasing color schemes that tie the building and furniture elements together. The owners specified masonry as their preferred material for several reasons. As a model for energy efficiency, structural brick and burnished concrete masonry units were the foundation for a design that incorporated energy conservation into virtually every aspect of the all-electric building. State-of-the-art energy conservation tactics bring natural light into the interior while strategically placed sunscreens reduce unwanted solar heat gain. In addition, the selection of brick and CMUs will substantially decrease lifetime operating and maintenance costs and offer long-term economic benefits to the owner. The
selection of brick and burnished CMUs together with glass and metal
elements has created a facility that projects dignity and the reliable
presence of the company while also identifying Modern Electric Water
Company as a forward-thinking community leader. It’s an image that
accurately reflects the mission of the 95 year-old company that serves
nearly 10,000 customers in the Spokane Valley.
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© 2003 - 2006 Janet Crosby all rights reserved
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