Masonry Magazine March 1978 Page. 5
TROY PLACE
Troy, Michigan
Architect: Rossen/Neumann Associates
Mason Contractors: Kanfer Construction Co., Inc., Terry O'Neill Masonry Contractor, Smith-Santoro, Inc.
Designed by Rossen/Neumann Associates, Southfield, Mich. the masonry design features of Troy Place include cantilevered corners: projecting stair, elevator and service towers; overhangs, and curved planter walls.
"We selected masonry to provide color, texture, and the strongest possible contrast to the double-glazed reflective glass used in these buildings," explained Kenneth Neumann. AIA. partner in Rossen/Neumann Associates. "The orange iron spot brick presents a vivid appearance in sunlight and a cool look when shaded.
"We tried to achieve maximum user flexibility by removing the towers from the main rectangles of the buildings. To add excitement, we then tried to give the towers a sculptured appearance in brick."
For the exterior masonry curtain walls, the 4-inch brick are backed up with 8-inch concrete masonry units. The brick also are used in interior partition walls. Brick pavers are utilized in main-floor lobbies and corridors.
The first three buildings in Troy Place, completed in February, 1977, include two of three stories each and one of seven floors. The three-story buildings now serve as the national headquarters of two major firms. Ex-cell-o Corp. and The Budd Co.
POLICE-JUSTICE BUILDING
Wyoming, Michigan
Architect: Van Wienen Postema & Papke
Wyoming's new Police-Justice Building utilizes a structural steel frame with masonry exterior walls, which are faced with 8x 8-inch brick units. Special brick shapes are used in soldier coursing to accent window sills and coping. The brick are backed up with insulated 8-inch concrete masonry units.
Brick pavers matching the exterior brick are used in public areas of the building, and a concrete masonry interior walls system is used in the detention area. In the garage structure, the masonry walls are loadbearing, meaning that they support the building as well as provide its exterior and interior facades.
William R. Papke. AIA, partner in Van Wienen Postema & Papke and project architect, said masonry was chosen "because security and longevity were the important requirements. Oversize masonry units were selected in a color that would fit into the wooded site and provide a massive appearance. Special brick sills and a ceramic coping to match the masonry were used to minimize the number of exterior materials used on the project."
REMUS G. ROBINSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Detroit, Michigan
Architect: Sims-Varner & Associates
According to Howard F. Sims. FAIA, president of Sims-Varner & Associates, the Remus G. Robinson Middle School was designed in masonry-both inside and out-"because the site surroundings and life span of the building required enduring materials of some substance wherever possible."
While the masonry walls are not structural (the building has a steel frame), they do provide both exterior and interior finish as well as maximum insulation value, sound control, fire protection, and durability. The exterior features an 8 x 8 x 4-inch panel brick in blended earth tones. The rest of the wall system consists of a 2-inch insulated cavity and 8-inch concrete masonry units, painted with an epoxy material to provide the interior finish. In some areas, the panel brick are used over 4-inch concrete masonry units to provide the interior surface.
Exterior design details include vertical recesses to break up the monolithic appearance of the masonry, projecting stair towers utilizing radius brick, and minimum window area for security and energy conservation.
Inside, glazed structural tile is used extensively for color highlights and to provide impervious surfaces in heavy-use areas. The interior is designed on the "open school" concept with demountable partitions. Paving brick are used to provide the floor finish in several areas.
HULSING, ERIKSSON AND FIELD SCHOOLS
Plymouth and Canton Township, Michigan
Architect: T.M.P. Associates, Inc.
These elementary schools, completed in 1976, were designed to reflect the school district's "open" concept of education. All three schools are organized around a central media center, and class areas are separated by 6-foot movable storage units.