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Vista Building
Fargo, N.Dak.
Julie Snow Architects
This building suggests its natural
landscape while employing innovative technologies
© Tim Hursley |
For more photos click on 'photos
& drawings' above.
To see the people and products
behind this project click on 'people & products.'
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The Vista Building is perhaps not the
kind of office building one expects to find on the plains
of North Dakota. However, its design reflects the influence
of the sprawling landscape.
Curtain wall and structural systems reinforce
the building’s connection to the plains. The floor is
visually raised above the window’s sill plate, giving
the impression that the floor is free-floating. While steel
and curtain wall are crafted for lightness, masonry encloses
the mechanical towers and the north bar, anchoring the building
in its vast countryside.
The surrounding environment’s continually
changing colors that range from stark white to rich russet
and pale green contrast with the darker tone of the building.
The building’s presence is heavy compared with the light
sky in all its seasonal variations. The interplay of lightness
and mass subtly reflects the interplay and contradiction inherent
in creating a virtual product in a real place.
The project’s organization demonstrates
the plan’s clarity and directness. Circulation is separated
from open office areas by a band of team rooms, enclosed offices,
and mechanical equipment rooms. Casual seating and dining
tables with network connections allow spontaneous interactions
that support innovation. Data, phone, and power are accessed
through the floor in covered boxes. Lift the cover to unplug
phone and computer; replug anywhere in the building, and the
system recognizes your move.
The architect implemented new engineering
practices to create a responsive environment throughout the
building. The raised floor system offers a low-pressure air
supply that is controlled individually by hand-operated louvers
in the floor. Increased temperature comfort and an airier
space result. Tall spaces allow diffused lighting and reduce
glare.
Formal name
of Project:
Vista Building
Location:
Fargo, N.Dak.
Gross square
footage:
96,586 sq ft
Owner:
Great Plains Software
Architect:
Julie Snow Architects
2400 Rand Tower
527 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: 612.359.9432
Fax 612.359.9530
www.juliesnowarchitects.com
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