Masonry Magazine June 1988 Page. 14
The front wall of the building is extended to form a screen wall at both ends to separate the emergency entrance from the main entrance at one end and the mechanical equipment at the other.
Glass block with a reflective surface coating was used extensively to take advantage of its solar control characteristics allowing natural light into the building, and providing a distinctive exterior appearance. The small unit composition of glass block areas allowed intermingling with brick banding and the continuous curvature of the south-facing wall. From the interior, this creates a pictorial, almost impressionistic view of the surrounding exterior grounds. From the exterior, it creates a smoothly curving translucent wall surface which stands in contrast to the sharp angularity of the remainder of the building.
Project designer Jan Peterson, of Henmi Jen Enderling Architects said, "A member of the building developer's staff called a halt to construction as the masonry was just starting to come out of the ground. He was concerned about the building envelope's appearance." The problems were solved by the architects and the masonry contractor's superintendent in the field. Details of edge conditions at the front "screen" wall openings and ends were worked out cooperatively to the owner's satisfaction.
The structure received an award for excellence in masonry design from the St. Louis Masonry Institute. The awards jury of the St. Louis Masonry Institute remarked: "Playfulness of the masonry was evident and the design was nicely proportioned. It
Glass blocks were used extensively to take advantage of its solar control characteristics allowing natural light into the building. recalls the local tradition of decoration through masonry. Brick detail is consistently well done and a nice, unusual blend of colors was used." Masonry contractor John Smith commented, "This is absolutely the best use of brick; simple, yet very practical. It was a joy to build."
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14 MASONRY-MAY/JUNE, 1988