Kenosha Safety and Weight Enforcement Facility, Kenosha
 Kenosha Safety and Weight Enforcement Facility Kenosha, WI 2004 WCMA Finalist Award Winner |
Cost: $2,160,000
Size: 12,580 sq ft.
Completion Date: Sept 25, 2003
Owner: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Operating Agency: Wisconsin State Patrol, Motor Carrier and Inspection Services Division
Architect: Vierbicher Associates, Inc., Reedsburg, WI
Gen Contractor: James Cape & Sons, Co.
Mason Contractor: Masonry Specialists, Inc.
CMU Producer: County Materials Corp. & Premier Block Corp.
Scope of Project:
The Safety and Weight Enforcement Facility (SWEF) creates a 12,580 square foot "gateway building" along westbound 1-94 near the Wisconsin-Illinois border for the State Patrol's Motor Carrier and Inspection Services Division. At the facility, State Patrol Inspectors weigh commercial trucks and conduct safety assessments of their brakes, axles, wheels and equipment.
Designed as the first of several facilities throughout the state, this prototype incorporates the latest scale technology, and moves truck inspection indoors to improve efficiency and safety. The building includes Scale Operations, Inspection Bays, and leased space for cellular service carriers' equipment.
The design concept was to make the building easily identified and accessed by individuals traveling at interstate speeds. The building uses the mass of the inspection bays to establish both permanence and a datum of measure for the facility. The roof form is in motion and caps a clerestory that is as much a beacon at night as it is sensible day lighting solution. The administration portion of the building is juxtaposed against the "spirited mass" in a low sweeping form gesturing to the speed of its surrounding environment.
Concrete masonry units playa key role in the facility's overall success. They are well suited to reinforce the design goals as well as meeting the staunch physical demands of the facility's environment and location. The scale portion of the facility is constructed of 4-inch Ultra&Mac226; Burnished concrete masonry units over steel studs. The Inspection bays are enclosed with 10-inch, single wythe Ultra Burnished masonry units.
CMU offers unparalleled expression & flexibility
Concrete masonry offers a superior range of colors, textures and sizes to convey the design concept. A warm pallet of earthen colors ties the building to the site. The Sandstone colored base serves as an anchor, contrasted by the field of Antique White, single-scored, stacked bond units. The field is distinguished from above and below with a Premium Sienna Creme colored single split face course. The top of the wall draws on standard 8x16 stacked bond units to cap the assembly. The result is a cohesive composition with a scale appropriate to both the Interstate driver and any pedestrian approaching the building.
Curved walls easily accomplished with CMUs
A key building feature is the curved west wall, which culminates in the observation turret. The sweeping wall is both expressive of the inherent energy of the location and functional by allowing 270 degrees of clear vision from the "turret" to monitor truck traffic to and through the facility. Concrete masonry units are well suited for use in the large radius, curved walls, providing a uniform appearance. The sweeping form, in concert with the burnished face on the exterior, adds to the "speed" concept and provides a smooth, uniform and slightly glossy appearance.
Concrete masonry units are durable & easy to maintain
Burnished concrete masonry units are not limited to the exterior. Their durable finish meets demanding requirements on the interior as well. Installed at high traffic interior spaces such as the 24-hour drivers' room and corridors, the sealed face is easy to maintain and stands up to the rigors of 24-hour use. Aesthetically, the burnished units reveal the inherent beauty of their aggregates within and serve to unite the interior and exterior.
The inspection building allows indoor inspections via two drive-through bays, where employees inspect vehicles from recessed floor trenches. The truck inspection bays feature single wythe CMU with the exterior burnished faces and plain interior faces. The colored block creates a simple, attractive, easy to maintain interior.
CMU's fire-resistive qualities excel
Between the offices and inspection bays, the fire-resistive aspects of concrete masonry units excel. The common wall creates a two-hour rated occupancy separation for fire safety. The cellular building is also divided from the inspection bays with a two-hour rated occupancy separation.
The concrete masonry employed in this facility presents unparalleled value for this high traffic, gateway building, fusing function and velocity to achieve a 65 MPH facility.