Details
Overview
This 48,000-sf building supports the original concept of the “super block” along 8th Street between College Avenue and Columbia Avenue in downtown Holland. It holds the urban street edge along 8th Street and builds on the cross-sectional height for the center of the block to four stories.
The center of the block has been dedicated as an open space or “plaza” to break the length of the block and create a relief to the street facades. Two fountains were designed in the space. One, a more formal pool at the street edge which is visible up and down 8th Street; the other is an interactive splash area with in ground jets and laminar flow nozzles. In addition to the fountains, the site also connects into the City of Holland’s snow melt system for winter pedestrian safety.
The building is highly detailed with variations of facade treatments and fenestration features. Its exterior materials are similar to the context of the building with brick and stone. The stone base anchors the building to the streetscape and is again repeated in the higher levels of the building. A unique feature of the building is the multiple outdoor balconies and spaces for interaction with the street and plaza to the east. The first floor is retail space with the 2nd through the 4th floors designed for office use.