Thursday, August 31, 2006

McCormick Building - Architectural Record

This is a "borrowed" article from Architectural Record on the McCormick building. I borrowed this because you have to register on Arch Record's site to read it... and that wasn't cool.


Constructed in 1913, the McCormick Building originally housed a plumbing supply business. Lorenz Williams transformed the dilapidated 32,000-square-foot structure into a mix of office space, which the design firm itself now occupies, and ten loft-style apartment units. The surrounding neighborhood of Webster Station has also undergone a revitalization, thanks to the completion of Fifth Third Field, a ballpark for the Dayton Dragons minor league baseball team.

Lorenz Williams' offices occupy four floors of the building. A grand stair connects these levels. Its ascent takes place at odd angles, modulated by landings and jauntily positioned walls. The materials and jarring shapes create a dialogue with the existing structure's historic backdrop. The architects describe this stair as a “theater of movement” and “an interactive, participatory event that gives meaning to the experience of architecture.”

Although it energizes the space and provides circulation, the grand stair also creates privacy for the offices. It offers those on the stair an ever-changing view of designers at work in their offices, yet staff continue to work unaware of the foot traffic passing above and below them. In contrast to this striking interior, the McCormick Building's exterior was restored to its original appearance—including the windows—and Lorenz Williams' work netted an award from the AIA Ohio chapter.

Location:
Dayton, Ohio

Gross square footage:
30,000 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$3.4 million

Owner:
City Wide Development Corporation

Architect:
Lorenz Williams
434 East First St.
Dayton, OH 45402
937-223-6500 tel.
937-461-2934 fax.
www.lorenzandwilliams.com

The McCormick Building
Dayton, Ohio
Lorenz Williams

the People

Architect of record:
John Fabelo, AIA

Associate architect(s):
Russ Anderson

Interior designer:
Karen H. Painter IIDA, ASID, LEED and Karen Skupnik, IIDA

Engineer(s)
Heapy Engineering www.heapy.com

Flooring:
Rod Seabolt, CDC Distributors

General contractor
Messer Construction www.messer.com

Photographer(s)
Ken Schory
44 Royal Birkdale Rd.
Springboro, OH 45066
937-748-4874
www.kenschory.com

Renderer(s)
Russ Anderson

CAD system, project management, or other software used
Microstation www.bentley.com, 3D Studio Max www.autodesk.com


Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Discovery

So... I figure its time to get to the new webby way of things, and begin my blogging experience.

What do I want this to be? I am planning on it becoming a container for many things, travelling updates, showing off photos, my random thoughts on how the world could be a better place... and life updates.

Stay tuned, could be cool.