Two WaterStone Place

Miller-Valentine, owner of the project, wanted to advance its commercial division by combining two Cincinnati-area offices into one location.

To meet sustainable design goals, Tilt-Up construction materials were selected, which have an impressive economic cycle and offer long-term durability. Sustainable design practices included geothermal cooling, vegetative swales to collect run-off water, an energy-recovery HVAC system and preservation of existing vegetated areas.

The 81,000-square-foot three-story building required oversized joists and additional beam lines to create the unique third floor. Tilt-Up two-story panels were constructed first. Recessed 12 feet from the building edge, one-story panels were then constructed on the elevated slab of the third floor. The recessed side entries include two 32-foot, three-story columns.

Oversized foundations and coordination with joint caulking were required for the 15-foot tapered concrete buttresses, attached to panels on the first floor.

To create a unique look, two types of post-applied precast stone — Rockcast and Coronado — were used, as well as two different shades of paint in earth tone colors. The dramatic entry features the precast stone on angled Tilt-Up panels. It is complemented with an octagonal-shaped roof, as well as an arched canopy over a balcony area.

Around the entire building, aluminum mansard, barrel and hip style roofs were installed. The ground-level accents include large concrete tapered buttresses to create the appropriate shape and limit the use of stone. Fabric awnings were placed above windows on spandrel panels.