Masonry Magazine September 1971 Page. 12
IBEW's Dream Building
(Continued from page 11)
Initial design work for the building was by the late William N. Denton, Jr., AIA. The firm of Mills, Petticord & Mills took over after Mr. Denton's death. The Project Architect, Cole McFarland, AIA, identifies himself as a "masonry man." He describes the building as "conservative contemporary with monumental piers and fins of pink granite." He feels that the structure reflects "the monumentality, dignity, and strength of its owner, and while contemporary in style, reflects permanence."
Masonry craftsmen, using 480,000 brick and 90,500 concrete masonry units, created impressive back and side walls to complement the granite and glass facade.
The highly-polished granite columns and openness of the facade, with its many bronze-tone aluminum frame windows, are accented by identical electric fixtures in every office of the all-electric building. They'll be turned off or on at the same time to eliminate the "spotty effect" noted in most high-rise buildings and to provide an all-electric impression. Outriggers from the roof are concealed for use in window washing.
Through 10-ft. wide windows, whose arches give an air of refinement to the top floor, are views of such landmarks as the National Geographic Building, the Washington Monument, and the Washington Cathedral. Across the street, work is underway on the Washington Post's 8-story brick addition.
The IBEW building's 480,000 brick are conventional size glazed ones specially made with a speckled pink finish and black marking to match the granite. The correct mix to make the brick match the granite was obtained on the first attempt and some $265,000 worth of brick were produced for the sides and back of the building. Eight test panels were constructed with the brick and permitted to weather before the correct color of mortar was obtained to blend with the brick and granite. The brick are backed with 8-in. block and exposed block is used in the stair wells and elsewhere.
Four 21½ ft. high, 10 x 12 ft. granite planters, with magnolias, dominate the sidewalk area. Black terrazzo paving extends 19 ft. from the building's edge toward the street. The granite fins, each 2 ft. wide and tapering out nearly 4 ft., soar from the ground and arch over the windows of the 12th floor suites.
Marble is tastefully used on 1,900 sq. ft. of the main lobby walls. The walls of the elevator lobbies above the first floor have another 3,500 sq. ft. of marble. All elevator lobbies have terrazzo floors, 6,500 sq. ft. in all. Drinking fountain recessed areas, on all floors, have black 1 x 2 in. ceramic tiles from floor to ceiling.
At night, with light shimmering from every window and reflecting on the monumental polished granite piers, the building will generate an electric feeling, according to the architect. Whether night or day, a person approaching the building is bound to be struck with a strong feeling of quality, richness of color tones and materials.
If union electricians and masonry workers, as well as manufacturers and suppliers, could pick a "dream building" representing the ultimate in their trades, they would have to search far and wide to find a better candidate than the new IBEW building.
Excellence in Masonry Program
Don Larsen, President of the Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago, reviews project submission rules for the 1971 Excellence in Masonry Awards Program and dinner dance slated for the Regency Hyatt House on November 27, Looking on are Chuck Anderson of SGM Corp., Chairman of the program, and John Vaci, MCAGC Public Relations Committee Chairman. Project submission deadline is October 1. Tickets and information regarding the affair may be obtained by contacting the association's office at 297-3424 in Park Ridge, III.
THINK
Masonry... Management... Money & You in 1972
Americana
Bal Harbour
January 7-12