New Design Using Historical Concepts

Our design for the Mead Johnson Nutritionals fitness center takes into consideration some very unique and powerful design features. Based on the historic background of the site and the very significant contribution it played in our Nation's victory in World War II, the building pays tribute by incorporating features from the famous LST (Landing Ship, Tanks), as well as other assets of the site. The LST was constructed on the site, then the 35 acre Evansville Shipyard. They were built there until December of 1945. Over 19,000 men and women set wartime production records from that very site.

Starting with the building entrance, the 16,000 s.f. building proposal recognizes one of the LST's most unique features. It incorporated a pair of hinged bow doors that would open outward in order to allow a cable supported bow ramp to extend downward to the shoreline in front of the ship. Once the tide had receded, its combat cargo would then unload. The LST delivered invaluable military equipment and troops to Normandy and other strategic locations throughout the war.

An abstraction of the following design characteristics / features can be seen in our design as follows:

The "cable supported ramp" is featured as the front entrance canopy of the facility, and hints of more to come. This dominant feature is yet more apparent from the south and east elevations of the building where it is utilized as an exterior solar control device. It not only becomes a primary design element but is also a very functional energy saver.

The angled bow of the ship is represented by the sloped columns of the front entrance canopy as well as the columns on the entire south and east portions (riverside) of the building. The forward sloped angle of the glass curtain wall on the south side of the building offers tribute to the angled bow of the LST as well. In addition, the design was chosen to help reduce glare and to lessen the amount of direct sunlight into the building.

The hinged bow doors are subtly portrayed in plan view as 45-degree elements springing outward from the front entrance. Our intent is to connect with the feel of the LST while creating an inviting point of entry.

Decorative building medallions hint of the anchor portal at the bow of the LST.

Other important building design features include: The transition between the man-made urban environment and the natural splendor of the meandering riverbank. This is achieved by highlighting right angle geometric forms adjacent to the urban/industrial background. The south elevation transforms into a softer, more fluid semi-circular element that in effect softens the line between built form and natural.

The solar shading device is placed at roughly 2/3 the height of the south curtain wall, thus allowing limited natural sky lighting to penetrate into the core of the building.

This circular fitness area is open to maximize internal flexibility for fitness functions while providing a spectacular panoramic view of the river and downtown Evansville.