Looking for a new home, T.E. Stevens Construction began this project by acquiring an existing stone fabrication facility on the outskirts of Birmingham. A collection of existing prefabricated sheds were partially demolished and renovated to serve as new warehouse needs of the construction company. A new two level expansion was added, fronting the existing sheds and mediating between public parking and access and the utility areas in the back. The offices, organized along a linear circulation path, transform to culminate in a centralized clerestory lit space surrounded by private offices.
The goals for the project included establishing a design aesthetic that reflected the character of the Owner’s construction company. The character of the front office needed to convey a professional feel with comfortable office space for staff and visitors while the back portion express durability and utility appropriate for use by the field staff and for construction operations.
Adaptively reusing existing buildings reduces waste and preserves the embodied energy of the structures. Durable and low maintenance materials such as the pre-finished metal cladding and cast-in-place concrete walls define the exterior palette. Plywood millwork, sealed concrete floors, and exposed the building structure and systems shape the interior character.
Some of the sustainable strategies applied are; spray foam insulation, LED lighting, and the use of light colored roofing. These strategies help reduce the demand on the environmental systems.
