The challenge was to design a speculative office
building on a very narrow and limiting site that
would also have a substantial image. The leasable
area was maximized by a long, horizontal building
with sleek proportions from the street view. The
second floor substantially hangs over the first
floor on each end, thereby allowing for covered
parking.
To avoid a disturbing “look ma, no hands”
quality with brick walls appearing to rest on
long horizontal windows, all brick is supported
on strongly expressed structural steel beams and
lintels. This achieves clarity of expression and
feeling that the heavy brick facing is indeed
supported with its weight reaching the earth.
