This project is a full building renovation to this historic 1940 branch library, including exterior building envelope improvements and extensive interior renovations. Building envelope improvements include a completely new below-grade waterproofing and drainage system, partial roof replacement, new parapet flashings, cleaning and repairs to masonry walls, and reconstruction of two handicap access ramps. Interior renovations include a reconfigured administrative office space, upgraded meeting rooms, altered reception desk, new finishes, fixtures, furnishings, and lighting throughout, and a new fire alarm system.

Adaptive re-use of retail grocery store into a public training, administration, and warehouse facility.  The primary client is the Durham County Engineering and Environmental Services and the Board of Elections.  RND Architects and our design team provided detailed pre-design through Construction Manager at Risk services for this accelerated scheduled project.  This included inventory and reporting of existing facilities conditions, real estate assessment of relocation options, programming and design of new facility spaces for current and future uses, imprinting a unique variation of DCo architecture in a former retail context, close design coordination during construction stages, and successful project completion activities during a peak national election.  The design team included Engineered Designs Inc (PME), Gardner McDaniel Engineers (Structural), Maria Lindquist Design (Interiors), Thomas & Hutton (Landscape/Civil), REI Engineers (Building Enclosure), Butchko Inc (Security), and DesignElement (Wayfinding).

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.