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MSA Consulting Building
Rancho Mirage, California
Photography:
Scott Van Dyke Photography
The MSA Consulting Building houses a large civil engineering and planning firm in Rancho Mirage, California, near Palm Springs. The building is designed to provide optimum views of the surrounding desert and mountains. As you enter the building from the east, the western view through the two-story lobby frames the San Jacinto Mountains in the distance. The necessary sun protection is provided by roof overhangs on the south, east and even the north to a lesser degree. Sun protection on the west is provided by a large, cantilevered overhang and a sloping perforated metal screen in front of the two-story lobby glass, which filters in the direct sunlight, yet does not interrupt the dynamic vista.
Masonry walls of alternating courses of split-face and precision concrete masonry block are used throughout the project’s exterior and interior as well. The dual surfaced masonry property line walls terminate into the matching main building walls, which rise up two stories at the north and south ends of the structure. The heavy texture and shadow created by the split-face block, when contrasted against the smooth finish of the precision block, make it appear more exaggerated. Even with the two types of block being the same soft desert color, a strong horizontality is created. The horizontality is desired to tie the building itself to the site, reflecting the character of a desert architecture.
Architect:
Christopher S. Mills
Architect, Inc.
1255 E. Ramon Road
Palm Springs, CA 92264
Christopher S. Mills
Principal
Structural
Engineer:
KPFF Consulting Engineers
General
Contractor:
Orr Builders
Masonry
Contractor:
Masonry Technology, Inc.
Block Producer:
ORCO Block Company, Inc.
Owner:
Vista San Jacinto, LLC
Robert S. Smith
Principal
