815 N Whittington

Summarize the project's program, features and achievements?

This two-story Class AA+ office building exemplifies a refined and innovative approach to tilt-up construction, guided by the client’s vision for a bold, high-performance workplace. Thoughtfully designed reveals, varied panel depths, and orientation break down the building’s scale and add texture, lending a sense of craftsmanship and dynamic visual appeal to the concrete façade. The tilt-up panels are seamlessly integrated with the supporting systems, including curtain wall glazing and steel canopies, to create a cohesive, modern aesthetic. The result is a compelling demonstration of the versatility and design possible with tilt-up construction.

Serving as the new headquarters for Heaven Hill Brands, the building, intentionally designed around employee feedback provides a modern, purpose-built, supporting collaboration, comfort, and long-term growth. The project reflects the company’s continued investment in its people and its deep roots in the Kentucky community. As a result, the building not only meets functional and aesthetic goals but also strengthens the Heaven Hill’s presence in the region.

The exterior finish plays a key role in elevating the building’s architectural expression. A custom high-gloss, fine-texture paint system was developed to emulate the appearance of metal panels while masking the natural imperfections of concrete. This innovative treatment allows the tilt-up façade to blend seamlessly with neighboring high-end buildings, demonstrating how concrete construction can achieve both performance and polish in design-driven environments.

The project also showcases the efficiency and sustainability benefits of tilt-up construction. The method enabled a streamlined construction process, reduced material waste, and minimized embodied carbon. Despite a constrained site and complex logistics, the team maintained a high level of precision and craftsmanship throughout.

As both a corporate headquarters and a community landmark, the building sets a new benchmark for design-forward tilt-up construction. It challenges conventional expectations, highlights the method’s adaptability, and contributes meaningfully to the architectural and professional landscape of Louisville.

What obstacles were overcome related to the schedule, budget, program, specification, site, etc. on this project?

The project faced significant logistical and construction challenges due to a highly constrained site with minimal space for panel casting and crane operations. To maintain schedule and quality, the team employed creative sequencing, strategically placing casting beds and stacking panels to enable continuous pours. A full perimeter crane road was unfeasible due to steep grades along the north elevation, prompting an innovative solution: omitting a slab section and utilizing the building pad as a partial crane path, allowing the crane to straddle footings. Stepped footings—rising up to four feet—complicated panel picks and required precise coordination and custom rigging strategies.

Situated in a high-end office park surrounded by buildings featuring curtain walls and custom metal panel finishes, the building required an exterior that would complement its upscale context. The team developed a fine-texture, high-gloss paint system designed to emulate the appearance of metal panels while concealing concrete’s natural imperfections. After extensive trial and error, the technique was perfected using multiple coats applied by roller, resulting in a sleek, polished finish that closely mirrors true metallic cladding.

Color matching presented a unique challenge, as the goal was to match the varying tones of metallic panels on a neighboring building. After multiple unsuccessful mockups using standard paint options, the team removed an actual panel from the adjacent structure and used it for a custom color match. This process required several fine-tuned adjustments but ultimately achieved a finish that blended seamlessly with the surrounding architecture.

Please communicate any engineering complexities or unique features of the panel design for this project?

The panel leg design required complex engineering to meet both architectural and structural demands. Accommodating sloped roof framing, window openings, and second-floor support necessitated custom solutions for many panels. Additionally, site-driven foundation steps disrupted base-level continuity, requiring close coordination with other design teams to ensure structural alignment. The varying slopes and irregular panel shapes, combined with the need to support second-floor framing, demanded advanced bracing strategies during erection to ensure safety, stability, and precision.