Water Tower Global Innovation Hub
Gresham Smith (Architecture, Interior Design, Structural Engineering, MPE Engineering, Civil Engineering, Instrumentation)
Water Tower Global Innovation Hub
Gresham Smith (Architecture, Interior Design, Structural Engineering, MPE Engineering, Civil Engineering, Instrumentation)
Awards Category : : Large Project (over 25,000 sf)
New 53,140 SF facility for Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources houses space for office, research and training.
The Water Tower is a collaborative research, administration and education facility sponsored by the Gwinnett County (GA) Department of Water Resources. Its mission is to support the study of new means of water conservation and treatment to enhance availability of fresh water in a rapidly growing community where scarcity presents significant challenges. The Water Tower gets its name from a pair of large water towers in the district that became landmarks for the community.
Located adjacent to a major water treatment facility, the Water Tower provides researchers a functioning, utility-scale system to aid in their studies. Everything research partners need to conduct research, touchdown for office work and connect with peers for training and socialization is provided.
The facility acts as a demonstration of effective water conservation strategies. The site design incorporates numerous strategies for minimizing pervious surfaces, collecting storm water and treating it naturally on site via structures that double as useful site amenities. A gray water loop from the nearby treatment facility is also utilized for restrooms, etc.
The architectural language draws from an objective point of view contemplating the reality of constituent elements that make up what we think of as potable water rendered in a matrix of solid and void and differentiated subtly by textural gradations. The use of brick and stone masonry and earthy tones references a sense of permanence and connection to the landscape while recalling an academic research sensibility.
Date of Completion: April, 2022
Client: Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources
General Contractor: Reeves Young
Consultants:
Landscape Architect HGOR
https://www.hgor.com/
Tel. 404/248-1960
Photography Credits:
1 - View of facility from north. The Water Tower is a collaborative research and management facility funded by the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources to help creatively address the area’s current and future water service challenges. Photo by Chad Baumer
2 - Though it doesn’t contain a defined urban core, Gwinnett County – located northeast of Atlanta – is home to nearly 1,000,000 people and has experienced nearly 600% growth in the last 40 years. Meeting the potable water needs of this region has presented major challenges, and the goal of the Water Tower is to provide access to working utility scale water treatment facilities for collaborative research projects and consultants to develop new strategies for delivering water to current and future users. The adjacent water treatment facility also provides a graywater loop which allows the Water Tower to avoid using potable water in restrooms, etc. Images by Project Team
3 - Site design demonstrates several strategies for detaining and treating stormwater using grade, weirs, rain gardens, etc. These structures are designed to also provide useful site amenities. Image by Gresham Smith.
4 - Images by Project Team
5 - View of facility from northwest. Resisting the temptation to make a “water-like” (and budget-busting) sculptural statement, the building instead offers a series of layered, simple forms and a matrix of masonry and glass culminating in a clear “void space” at the main entry. Judicious use of glass provides adequate natural light and views while allowing the building to be energy efficient to operate. Photo by Chad Baumer.
6 - View of entry from northwest. Two brick colors arranged in a gradation add a layer of texture to the glass and masonry matrix façade. Glass curtainwall at the lobby entry offers transparency and a sense of cool, clean shelter and invitation to entry. Photo by Chad Baumer
7 - View of lobby interior. The lobby finishes contrast warmth in the polished concrete floor and light wood tones versus the coolness of glass, paint colors and variegated metal ceiling meant to evoke dappled appearance of light reflecting on water. The lobby contains education features describing the county water management system. Photo by Chad Baumer
8 - At its core, the Water Tower is a collaborative research facility offering shared lab space for commercial and academic research utilizing the real-life lab of a functioning, utility-scale water quality facility. Photo by Chad Baumer
9 - View of shared café lounge. In addition to providing lab and office resources, the Water Tower encourages a sense of community and knowledge sharing via informal interaction in the shared café lounge. Photo by Chad Baumer
10 - Left top: administrative office space. Left bottom: boardroom. Right bottom: co-working spaces available for researchers to touchdown while conducting activities on-site. Photo by Chad Baumer
11 - View of facility from north highlighting layered massing and textured finishes.
Photo by Chad Baumer