Riverstation Office Building
Riverstation Properties
Montpelier, VT
Size30,000 sf
Category Sustainability Features•Passive solar gain
•Chimney effect ventilation
•Use of recycled building materials
AIA VT Excellence in Architecture Design – Citation Award
Fran Woods, Construction Manager
J. Ina Hladky, PE, Structural
Carlson Mechanical, Mechanical
Lamberton Electrical, Electrical
A Modern Design That Takes Cues from Past Industries
This project consisted of a new 30,000 sf office building in Montpelier’s riverfront redevelopment zone, a place that was once dominated by railroad related manufacturing and granite finishing sheds. The narrow site is sandwiched between an existing railroad track and access to the north and the Winooski River to the south.
The exterior material of the street façade is corrugated galvanized steel with regular punched openings responding to its north orientation and context. In contrast, the south façade bordering the river is more casual with glass and naturally weathering wood that address the need to maximize views and thermal gain.
The unique and flexible office/business space has a broad material palette, including many recycled materials, which have been left in the raw to weather naturally. In addition, abundant daylight and chimney effect ventilation are integrated into the design to maximize energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality.
The jury commented that there was “honesty and directness of the massing and materials. It has a train shed quality, which seems appropriate for its site.” “The form itself is very simple - the Architects seemed to have accepted that so that more emphasis could go into the detailing and facade.”
– 2005 AIA Vermont Design Award Jury
