Consolidated Gravity Drainage District #1 Office Building, Tickfaw, La.
Best Public Architecture
The lead designer and project architect, Pierre Theriot, worked in conjunction with principal architect Michael Holly to quickly deliver design schemes and develop construction documents for the project.
The design team envisioned the building to become more than just a functional space and developed a design expression derived from the nature of the user’s purpose.
|
Photo Courtesy of Marc Lamkin Photography
|
Reminiscent of a large corrugated drainage culvert, the project uses a Quonset type roof structure typically used for barns and machine shop applications. The exposed fastener panels are 24 ft wide and are self supporting. The curved steel rib superstructure lands on concrete pedestals within a French-drain.
The ribs provide a rigid frame for the roof panels as well as the exterior walls. Between the ribs, the roof panels are self supporting.
Sustainable elements include the building’s orientation with broad north and south exposure to minimize solar heat gain, and is sited along a perpendicular distance to bridge between a large open flow drainage canal and a state highway. Translucent panel windows are interchanged with regular steel panels on the interior to allow natural light to filter into clerestories along the north wall.
A 10-ft-wide French drain using medium diameter river rock directs roof drainage to the open flow canal to the west.
The large porch defined by the steel ribs and curve of the roof invites the public into the building. Internal spaces include a large high volume board room meeting space on one end with reception, a break room and offices in the remainder.
Key Players
Developer/Owner: Tangipahoa Parish, Hammond, La.
Contractor: Ragusa Construction, Independence, La.
Design Firm: Holly and Smith Architects APAC, Hammond, La.
|
