This exterior renovation to correct earthquake damage that occurred in 2020. At a magnitude of 5.1, the Aug. 9, 2020, quake with its epicenter near Sparta, NC was the strongest in the state for more than a century.  Alleghany County’s County Office Building suffered unrepairable damage to a wood framed addition added to the building in the 1970’s.  The original 1955 building withstood the earthquake remarkably well.  RND was hired to design the new façade after removal of the damaged addition.

This facility houses three services. First, Alleghany In Motion, (AIM) which is the public transportation system for Alleghany County. Next, NC Cooperative Extension Office. This office partners with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land and economy of North Carolinians. Lastly, Soil & Water Conservation Departments. The Alleghany Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is a governmental subdivision of the State of North Carolina, charged with the responsibility of promoting soil and water conservation and establishing conservation programs in the District.

The new façade employs Zinc panels both horizontally and vertically that mimics agricultural barns found all along the mountain roads in Alleghany County. The two distinct colors of the zinc façade were chosen to reflect the reddish color of a sunset over the mountains and the grey outline of mountains seen in the distance from Sparta’s high elevation and surrounding mountains.  Simulated stone foundations were implemented to limit the weight of the addition as the site sits atop uncompacted fill from the original construction that contributed to the earthquake damage. The site was designed to welcome visitors as well as provide seating for the summer street festivals that Sparta hosts regularly.