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.'

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