Masonry Magazine August 1986 Page. 14
of metal cladding. I think people are returning to masonry more and more, and the post-modern movement has certainly encouraged that. Brick is a flexible material that responds well to that style of architecture, one we have utilized in numerous other projects."
Before moving to its present 7.86-acre site at Hanley and Eager Roads, Carbolne's operations were spread over three different St. Louis County locations. As designed by KBA, the new consolidated headquarters consist of a single structure with two wings joined by a four-story atrium and a dramatic space frame supporting the glass facade. The building includes 102,000 sq. ft. of finished space and 20,000 sq. ft. of unfinished space. Although expansion of the east wing is limited to the existing 20.000 sq. ft. of unfinished space, the west wing could be expanded by adding 50,000 sq. ft. with a new building addition.
According to Carboline, its new international headquarters have had tremendous positive impact on employee morale and created a real sense of community. "People who rarely saw each other now have an opportunity to interact through the regular course of business," the company says. Additionally, the atrium area is used for Christmas parties, lab dinners, and special events for the staff.
The entire concept of the Carboline Company's new headquarters, and its enthusiastic acceptance by the employees and the community, can be wrapped up in this statement by Eslinger:
14 MASONRY-JULY/AUGUST, 1986
"Architectural design is coming out of the high-tech era and going into a more art-oriented era, one more concerned with details and texture, humanity and warmth. Brick responds well to those criteria. I like to use brick. You can do a lot of nice things with the texture of the siding. Brick gives a building a feeling no other material is capable of giving."
Roy A. Elam Masonry, Inc. (MCAA) of St. Louis was the mason contractor for the project.