Masonry Magazine December 1974 Page. 9
The blending of brick walls and paving brick plus selected greenery in the entranceway lends an inviting reception to the visitor. The overhead natural light provides a feeling of spaciousness as well as elegance. More important, however, is the low maintenance cost to the owner.
DATA SYSTEMS PLAZA
Portland, Oregon
Architects: Wong/Hart, AIA
Structural Engineer: Robert McGarrigle
Mason Contractor: L. C. Pardue, Inc. (MCAA)
A pleasant architectural relief in a heavily commercialized section of Portland is the new Data Systems Plaza building featuring reinforced brick masonry construction. The design specified two wythes of standard brick grouted with 3000 psi grout to form 19" loadbearing walls reinforced to meet seismic Zone UBC requirements. Precast double tees were installed on the second floor system and roof structure, with a slab on the ground floor.
An eye-catching blend of brown tones of standard brick with matching colored mortar gives a highly professional appearance to the Data Systems Plaza building. The architects introduced chamfered brick corners and entranceways to relieve the stark lines of this project.
The final result met all of the owner's requirements for a structure of quality appearance, low maintenance, and long-lasting durability. The office workers are also pleased with the natural warmth and beauty of the interior walls of brick.
The building was ready for occupancy within seven months from time of groundbreaking. The owner states he firmly believes that the leasing of all available space prior to completion of the structure was the direct result of using masonry on both perimeter and interior walls.
masonry
Nov./Dec., 1974
9