Architect: Clark Nexsen
Project Location: Raleigh, NC
Project Completion Date: 2016
Short Description: Located at Wake Tech’s northern campus, the 776-space deck is enclosed in custom fabricated stainless- steel panels. Designed for an efficient use of material, the panels also employ a unique cross section that allows for a high degree of visual variability and interest from a single panel type. The highly polished surface reflects the colors of the sky and surrounding trees. The panels create enclosure on the east, south, and west, but open to the north to provide expansive views of a natural buffer area. Stair towers are conceived as light lanterns that float above the ground plane.
Architect’s Statement: In 2012 Wake Tech Community College began a significant expansion of their North Campus to meet the needs of a growing region and demand for education and training services. In an effort to densify the campus, the long-term master plan called for these new facilities to displace existing surface parking and provide new structured parking at the perimeter of campus. The Northern Wake Campus has the distinction of being the first college or university campus in the U.S. where all academic buildings are LEED certified. All buildings are sited around a protected wetland that runs through the middle of campus and are oriented in the east/west direction to take full advantage of northern and southern daylight exposure, as well as views to the wetland. Located at the southern edge of the campus, the deck is enclosed in custom corrugated stainless steel panels that reflect the surrounding trees. The paneled enclosure opens on the north to provide expansive views of a natural buffer area. Stair towers are conceived as light lanterns that float above the ground plane. High-recycled content materials such as concrete and aluminum are used throughout. Furthering the sustainable measures on campus, the structure was designed to accommodate future car-charging stations as well as a photovoltaic array that will cover the entire top level of parking.
Type of Construction:· Cast-in-place concrete · Custom fabricated stainless steel panels · Aluminum composite metal panels · Aluminum and glass curtainwall system