Petrol Valves Office/Warehouse
2008 Tilt-Up Achievement Award Winner :: Warehouse/Distribution Division
Submitted by Powers Brown Architecture of Houston, Texas
Working with a limited budget and tight timeline, developers wanted to establish a U.S. presence for Petrol Valves, an Italian-based manufacturer and distributor of large valves. The facility houses U.S. personnel, as well as storage spaces for Petrol Valve products.
Adjacent to one of the busiest plazas in the area, the facility is located off of Highway 8 in Houston, Texas. The heavy traffic in the area led to issues in the construction phase. For the 13,385-square-foot warehouse area and 4,509-square-foot office area, the owner was attracted to using Tilt-Up because of the method’s cost efficiency and speed.
One of the overall complexities of the project was resolving the elements of the project with the adjacent landowner and the transportation authority. The building also had to be constructed in a manner that would utilize the identity and circulation of the adjacent developer. To properly complete construction, a Low-E glass curtain wall system and cold-rolled natural aluminum finished panels were used.
The color-schemes were adjusted to meet the branding identity of Petrol Valve. Medium texture and paints were applied as architectural treatments. A system of slot-like windows was punched in the wall to convey the openers of the service area and was transformed to positive solid panels glazed in the curtain wall at the main façade. Dynamic intrigue was created in the office lobby area with the use of L-shaped cantilever canopies. A polycarbonate system was used in the lobby to allow for natural light.
To allow for sufficient signage for the facility, a 45-foot-tall obelisk-like tower was erected. The tower is visible from the highway up to a half-mile away, as well as a naturally-lit two-story interior work area.
Project Notes
- Tallest Panel
- 45'-0"
- Largest Panel
- 700 sq ft
- Heaviest Panel
- 70,000 lbs
Participating TCA Members
- Powers Brown Architecture
- Role: Architect
- TAS
- Role: Project Management
- CMC Construction Services
- Role: Tilt-Up Accessories
The purpose of the TCA Awards Program is to recognize outstanding site cast Tilt-Up structures and advances in technology, products and methods used in the Tilt-Up industry. For more information on the program, submittal requirements and deadline dates, please refer to the awards submittal information page.
If you have further questions, please contact Jim Baty by email or by phone at (319) 895-6911.
Petrol Valves Office & Warehouse
Houston, Texas
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