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Project Description
Location: 41 W. Riverside
Spokane, WA
99201
Specific Use of the
Project: General use office building
Substantial Completion
Date: April 2004
Description:
The
project site is located on the eastern fringe of Spokane’s downtown
urban core. The site is sandwiched between Brown Street on the west,
Division Street on the east, Riverside Avenue on the north and Sprague
Avenue on the south end of the property. Riverside Ave has been
designated a “Pedestrian Street” by the City of Spokane and will become
a major pedestrian connection between downtown Spokane and the
University District.
The site
is located in an area of buildings that were constructed around the turn
of the twentieth century. The majority of these structures are low rise
buildings, two to three stories in height, that were constructed with
fairly detailed masonry facades typical of classical looking buildings
of that era. Our goal was to create a building that implied a classical
interpretation that would blend in with the surrounding historic
environment but still imply a modern building.
The
building is a five story structure. A cylindrical tower is located on a
plaza facing the intersection of Riverside Avenue and Browne Street,
prominently highlighting the main entrance to the building. A plaza was
developed at the front entrance, intended to hold sculptural art work
and become a more viable node when the connection to the University
District is complete.
The main
body of the structure is faced with red brick, highlighted with crème
colored brick and stone at the caps of the building. Window patterns
reflect images of local structures including a modern interpretation of
the bay window.
The true
character of the structure comes through the details of the brick
masonry. Combinations of raised and recessed masonry, along with
special carved shapes create a rich and subtle texture pleasing both to
the eye and to the touch as one passes alongside the building. Subtle
use of color changes of brick help emphasis critical details along the
base of the building along with the combination of window and canopy
placement and the shadow play of those elements. The details of the
brick and the breaking up of the large façade tie this building into a
similar architectural language of surrounding structures.
This
building encapsulates the stated qualities of Good Urban Design by
enhancing the self-image and identity of the community, is pleasing to
the eye, allows for public and private use of the space and
surroundings, contains a variety of colors, forms, textures and
lighting, is designed with open spaces, landscaping, maximum windows and
windows to promote safe passage and usage of the surroundings, is
located in an area accessible to multiple modes of transportation, has a
strong sense of place and identity, provides a strong point of reference
to downtown, provides a strong architectural connection to its
surrounding environment, promotes many sustainable design features and
is a great reflection of the regional character of the area.
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