Page 47 - Fall_2017

ArchDC Fall 2017.qxp_Fall 2017 8/10/17 1:07 PM Page 45

Peter Noonan, AIA, LEED BD+C, and David Mogensen,
AIA, LEED AP, worked with the owners, with structural
engineering company 1200 Architectural Engineers, and
with general contractor Meridian Construction for three
years on Greencourt, always seeking elegant solutions to
the myriad of challenges.
The trusses in the atrium space, for example, are
not merely cool-looking elements supporting the roof.
They are also a highly-integrated solution to the structural
problem of lateral bracing. The three old warehouses had
little in the way of lateral support, which is necessary
to resist wind loads (and in extreme circumstances,
shaking from an earthquake). Adding a floor on top
and cutting a lot of holes in the existing masonry
walls only exacerbated the situation. The lobby’s steel
trusses, which connect to structural frames inserted in
the northern and southern warehouses, absorb the
lateral loads. But McInturff didn’t leave it at that: he
added two conference rooms, one literally within the
truss and another hung from the truss. These floating
objects within the atrium are memorable places to
have a meeting. Main entrance as seen from the atrium.

HOME IS WHERE THE INNOVATION IS 45