Providence Medical Office Building

The Providence Medical Office Building features a colonnade that articulates the building's perimeter. The colonnade is composed of pilasters which are 3 feet wide, 28 feet tall and 6½ inches deep, constructed of tilt-up concrete panels. Early in the design process it was intended that these pilasters would be made of steel framing, but after analysis, it was determined that the desired architectural look could be achieved at a better value by using the tilt-up method. The pilasters share a common footing with the building's panels and are connected by way of embeds and welds.

Installation of the colonnade required "bucking out" a small section of the tilt panel walls at each pilaster for an added cable connection. As each pilaster was picked up by the crane, the additional cable was used to pull it to its final position. The top of each pilaster interfaces with a foam and acrylic cornice system that wraps the entire perimeter of the building.

Many subtle architectural features (including precast concrete sills, brick veneer pilasters, stained concrete panel sections framed by reveal strips and the tilt panel colonnade) create a building with strong architectural appeal, yet maintain the cost efficiency and durability of concrete tilt construction.