Architectural design statement
The Albrae Street projects uses the architectural principals of rhythm and contrast to bring a human scale to the horizontal building facades. The tectonic elements used on the larger buildings are then pulled forward to create a more vertical proportion on the smaller building that acts as an introduction to the complex.
Special attention is taken with the scale and articulation of materials at building corners to create zones associated with office improvements and public entry. Both contrasting color and texture are incorporated into the corner entry statements along with the two-story high use of glass. Subtle changes in the plane of the building panels at these entries reinforce the contrast with shadow lines. Projecting building elements occur at low building heights at the corners to further create a pedestrian scale as one approaches the building.
Between the entry office statements the proportions become horizontal with the use of bands of clearstory glass. A rhythm is created in the large buildings with vertical entry areas and horizontal expanses between. On the smaller building the same elements are composed with some symmetry to balance the vertical and horizontal. Using the same elements creates a cohesive image for the three building complex while the contrast between the elements themselves provides scale and visual interest.