Mason Structure Office - Warehouse

Lexington, KY

2007 MCAA International Excellence in Masonry Award Winner

Mason Contractor: Mason Structure, Inc.
Architect: Sherman Carter Barnhart PSC

Project Description

Standing as evidence to the joy of working with masonry is the Mason Structure Office - Warehouse near downtown Lexington, Kentucky. Situated on six acres of an abandoned stockyard and surrounded by tobacco warehouses, the building was the first new structure in an area that will most likely experience intense revitalization in the near future. The facility was constructed to serve multiple purposes: sustain the business requirements of a construction contracting office, facilitate a mason apprenticeship training program, and house a masonry equipment retail division.

The design of this functional multipurpose building was a collaborative effort between the architects and the owner/builder, a well established masonry contractor. Charles Barnhart and Ken Gray of Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects in Lexington developed the site for other related structures as well as the main building. Design parameters included:

1. A strong masonry appearance, both figuratively and literally
   
2. Exemplify a level of flexibility and creativity with a masonry system
   
3. Create an accentuated entry experience
   
4. Provide opportunities for the owner to express and display his knowledge, creativity and skill of masonry within the structure.

The structure distinguishes itself by the relationship between the masonry shell and the interior. This is uniquely announced through a freestanding structural archway connected to the building by a skylight that serves both as an exterior cover and interior natural lighting. The front and side elevations with large structural masonry arches were inspired by a building constructed in Italy in 1990 by architect Mario Botta. These strong masonry arches serve as fenestration for both entry and visual display of larger equipment within the showroom. The fenestration was dictated by the brick bond patterns; English bond below the water-table, Norman brick above with every sixth course a dark header, and eight inch stretchers. Much of the interior also features exposed masonry work in the aforementioned patterns. In addition, a large radial ground face CMU wall serves as a focal point in the retail showroom. The building is load bearing masonry with ground face CMU which further echoes the actual and perceived durability and solid appearance of the masonry facades.