Office Buildings

Merrill Lynch executives wanted a casual, friendly atmosphere to prevail at their 33 acre campus in Northern Florida. This three-story, L-shaped building, the first phase of a multi-building master plan, provides that pleasant environment while also maintaining a positive corporate image.

The client needed to keep a tight reign on the budget, and every construction item was carefully reviewed to ensure the best value.

When the decision was made to upgrade the roofing system to help reduce cooling loads, an inexpensive means to enclose the building was sought. Concrete block, a cornerstone in Florida vernacular architecture, was the most cost-effective solution.

"This economy of material was also reflected during the construction process. The use of small-scale building components made transporting materials to and around the construction site easier, reducing the need for large, expensive cranes," said architect Gary Fowler of Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback, & Associates.

Fowler points out that the size and texture of the block gave the building a pedestrian scale and allowed the designers to express special details such as the light towers economically.