Architecture Tour will highlight heavenly styles
My worlds collided when I started looking forward to the 19th annual Architecture Tour next weekend, a highlight of Architecture Week.
“Like an architect,” Paul, the apostle, wrote, sort of, in metaphor, “I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it.”
“Like a master builder” actually is what he wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:10, as translated in the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
Like an arkhitekton. That’s the Greek word for “master builder,” and it’s the root word of “architecture.”
A few verses later, Paul wrote that “the work of each builder will become visible.”
Behold the collision: The work of master builders “will become visible” during the self-guided tour from 1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 17, organized by the American Institute of Architects Central Oklahoma Chapter.
Buy tickets for $15 in advance at www.aiacoc.org or $20 on tour day. There will be no Bible quiz, but masks will be required inside the tour locations.
The designs are striking. The tour is a great way to experience great architectural design in Oklahoma City.
Here is a little about each tour stop from descriptions provided by AIA-Central Oklahoma.
The Dolese Support Service Center
The Dolese Support Service Center, 8300 N Oklahoma Ave., designed by Butzer Architects and Urbanism and built by Flintco LLC, is the first new home for Dolese Bros Co., the concrete, sand and stone producer, in more than 80 years.
“The design is inspired by the chemistry of concrete, with details informed by the materiality of the company’s natural and engineered products. Like aggregate mixed with cement, primary employee office areas are conceptualized as aggregate, connected through generous collaboration and circulation spaces referred to as ‘binder space.’”
The description happily goes on in that vein.
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, 1801 N Lincoln Blvd., was a $16 million renovation and addition — paid for by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses — designed by Beck Design and built by CMSWillow-brook.
The original 23,000-square-foot office building had a Frank Lloyd Wrightinspired design for the addition, which expanded west and north and ushered in natural light to the interior. Balconies provide new views of downtown and the Capitol.
The new headquarters “emulates the great State of Oklahoma with interior design features such as: intricate stone waves that splash across the board room walls representing movement of a waterfall, natural light filling open space through the lofty atrium where custom-made felt tree benches glow, and a duck blind that serves as the purchasing desk for licensing and permits.”
Ryan Whaley Coldiron Jantzen Peters & Webber
The Ryan Whaley Coldiron Jantzen Peters & Webber project, 400 N Walnut, was designed by Studio Architecture and built by Vincit Constructors.
The 18,973-square-foot building in Deep Deuce has been preserved and renovated to become the home of the Ryan Whaley law firm. The original building was designed by Layton & Smith Architects and constructed in 1919, with an addition in 1928.
“At some point in the building’s history, the original front entry steps were modified. In 2015, the front entry steps to the building were removed without a permit and all the interior partitions were demolished.”
In 2018, attorneys from Ryan Whaley bought it to renovate and preserve, “ultimately saving an important piece of Oklahoma City’s architectural history.” The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
The Bower
The Bower, condos and townhomes designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and built by Smith & Pickel Construction, is at 625 NW 4.
“Located in a rapidly developing
residential context in downtown Oklahoma City, The Bower provides a unique mix ... to meet the area’s growing demands.
“Townhomes are situated along 4th Street maintaining an active street edge, while the two-story massing introduces depth, shadow and relief, creating public and private amenities along the street edge. The main pedestrian entry is carved through the townhomes, breaking up the extended street frontage while leading to a shared lobby.”
Different types of units “respond to different spatial and budgetary needs. The building masses step up in height from 4th Street, introducing density which is sympathetic to the surrounding context.”
Three Palms
Three Palms, designed by TAP Architecture and built by Savannah Builders, is at 611 NW 7, owned by Bob and Amanda Sullivan. It’s the latest addition to the eclectic Cottage District, also dubbed South of St. Anthony’s — or SoSA.
The Sullivans “wanted to help their architect understand the ‘feel’ they wanted for their project and clipped magazine images of features they wanted to inform the design of the house. Natural materials, form, space and light were common themes and would write the DNA for their home.”
Cantilevered floors and “wing” walls “create shade and privacy for the first two floors and the 3rd floor entertainment terrace, which invites dramatic views of downtown.
“Visitors pass two palm sculptures through a door which opens into a soaring glass entry way dominated by an epic stair connecting all three floors. The living space flows from the entryway to the chef ’s kitchen where Bob, owner of the original Sullivan’s Restaurant, practices the culinary arts.”
Western Gateway Elementary School
Western Gateway Elementary School, designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and built by Lingo Construction, is at 1300 SW 15.
“The single-story school addresses a key intersection with an articulated brick facade and prominent corner entrance. Internally the school is arranged around a large courtyard which creates a secure and safe space for collaborative learning and play.
“This arrangement also provides protection from the strong Oklahoma wind and summer sun, allowing the space to be used all year round, connecting the children with nature and the changing seasons.
“All classrooms within the school are flexible with large open spaces benefiting from dual-aspect natural light and more intimate spaces for individual or group learning.”
Positive Tomorrows New School for Homeless Children
Positive Tomorrows New School for Homeless Children, designed by MA+ Architecture and built by GE Johnson Construction, is at 901 N Villa Ave.
“Positive Tomorrows, Oklahoma’s only tuitionfree private elementary school and social service agency that partners with families experiencing homelessness, was previously housed in a small church annex. ...
“The new school has classrooms for Early Head Start through 8th grade, art and music, special education, and outdoor learning opportunities. The new facility features a secure entry vestibule, offices, meeting rooms, Family Support spaces, and additional storage rooms for donations. ...
“Two of the classrooms double as storm shelters, providing much needed safety during Oklahoma’s severe weather. Both Positive Tomorrows and the MA+ design team wanted to create a sense of ‘home’ for the students and approached the design with the students’ greatest needs in mind.
“The design supports Positive Tomorrows’ educational philosophy, ‘High Structure — High Love,’ and its potential of becoming a nationwide model.”
ReMerge Oklahoma
ReMerge Oklahoma, designed by Rees and built by GE Johnson Construction, is at 823 N Villa Ave.
“ReMerge needed a new facility in order to continue growing their successful program: helping mothers facing incarceration transform into productive citizens. Rees designed the space to support the journey of ReMerge participants. ...
“Designers created a welcoming entry and chose a soft, comforting color palette. An abundance of natural light and views of nature enter the space, thanks to limited walls and doors.
“The building is centered around a large kitchen with open dining space and a combined living room and library, and also features group therapy rooms, a wellness space and tranquil garden and meditation area.”