GOV/CIVIC

After a 10 year vacancy, Old Fire Station No. 8 received a substantial renovation that would restore the 1923 building into a storage and office space. This facility would be a supplement to the most currently built Fire Station No. 8, located across the street. Despite being structurally sound, the condition of the building was overwhelmingly poor and required updating the physical appearance and replacing the entire plumbing, electrical and mechanical system. The design goal was to retain the historic character of the building while making renovations that increased energy efficiency and overall aesthetics. On the exterior facades, the existing canopy above the overhead metal doors was removed while brick and precast sills were repaired and cleaned. All windows were installed with new insulated glass and prefinished aluminum frames. Accenting the south facing windows, metal canopies were incorporated for shading and visual interest. Some of the major interior renovations involved installing a sprinkler system, storage for Homeland Security and Search & Rescue, office space for Special Operations, multi-purpose room, break room, locker room with showers, restrooms, an HVAC system and meeting ADA accessibility codes throughout the entire building.

To correspond with the emerging revitalization of the surrounding area, HSEarchitects planned a renovation that integrated the distinct historic characteristics of a 1911 church with contemporary improvements for a commercial office space. The renovation focused on identifying a formal entrance, unifying contemporary materials with existing century old design and implementing cost effective solutions. Due to numerous accessible entrances, the main entry is emphasized with a new canopy structure clad with flat seam metal, in a tiled pattern. This design feature helps eliminate the need for future maintenance while creating a clean, progressive appearance. To reduce energy, glass located on the south and west facades were replaced with low “E” glazing and dual protected by interior and exterior sun shading. On the northwest corner and west façade, deteriorating brick patchwork and tile cladding are concealed with a perforated aluminum panel system. The panels located on the west feature LED backlighting for an aesthetic upgrade and eye-popping interest in the evening. In keeping with sustainable solutions and forward thinking, a geothermal system was installed with 25 wells located beneath the new parking lot. Twenty-five heat pumps were place for every zone in the building which caused the design of several mechanical closets throughout the facility. By implementing this geothermal system, occupants of this building will ultimately be saving costs up to 30 years from now.

To correspond with the emerging revitalization of the surrounding area, HSEarchitects planned a renovation that integrated the distinct historic characteristics of a 1911 church with contemporary improvements for a commercial office space. The renovation focused on identifying a formal entrance, unifying contemporary materials with existing century old design and implementing cost effective solutions. Due to numerous accessible entrances, the main entry is emphasized with a new canopy structure clad with flat seam metal, in a tiled pattern. This design feature helps eliminate the need for future maintenance while creating a clean, progressive appearance. To reduce energy, glass located on the south and west facades were replaced with low “E” glazing and dual protected by interior and exterior sun shading. On the northwest corner and west façade, deteriorating brick patchwork and tile cladding are concealed with a perforated aluminum panel system. The panels located on the west feature LED backlighting for an aesthetic upgrade and eye-popping interest in the evening. In keeping with sustainable solutions and forward thinking, a geothermal system was installed with 25 wells located beneath the new parking lot. Twenty-five heat pumps were place for every zone in the building which caused the design of several mechanical closets throughout the facility. By implementing this geothermal system, occupants of this building will ultimately be saving costs up to 30 years from now.

The East Wharf Development began negotiating with the Oklahoma City Water Trust to develop a commercial area for restaurants and offices on the shores of Lake Hefner. Michael Mahaffey and Associates (which is now HSEarchitects) was retained to master plan the site, integrating environmental concerns with a viable complex of commercial buildings and parking. The East Wharf Office Building on Lake Hefner, in Oklahoma City, is more than a contemporary commercial office building. It was designed to blend with the neighboring eclectic restaurants and acknowledge the surrounding atmosphere of lake fishing and boat docks, as well as respond to the environmental specifics of the site. The successful blend of buildings with the landscape has turned the site into one of Oklahoma City’s more popular landmarks The building’s views capitalize upon the lake, the dock area, and the lighthouse across the cove which has attracted several high-end tenants. The design features amenities such as floor to ceiling windows with exterior patios on the ground floor, operable windows, and terrace doors opening onto private decks. The south elevation of the building, adjacent to parking, utilizes deep overhangs and an inviting front porch to provide ample shade from the sun. The exterior of the structure combines dry-stacked stone veneer, low-emission glass, and painted siding with a shake shingle and naturally weathered copper roof.