2022 Summer Issue - 94

solution file
In addition, Gensler uses the
balconies to help create a sense of
connection. Because the buildings
rise to only four stories and are
close together, they connect to the
project's ground-level public areas.
" You look out over the whole community
and really get a sense of a
town-square effect, " he says.
The architects were influenced
by buildings they saw in Phoenix,
which Fullbright says had much
more " authentic desert architecture-overhangs,
this kind of
rusted material, so that it feels
like it's always been there, that
it's been weathered by the desert
environment. "
The buildings' superstructures
are being fashioned from concrete,
creating a thermal mass that is
more energy efficient, as well as
effecting a distinctive architectural
motif.
" We wanted this kind of raw
aesthetic, kind of almost like
industrial chic, " Fullbright says.
When tenants are not using the
Assembly for corporate events,
Matter partner Jim Stuart envisions
staging " community-minded
conversations " about various
important issues, featuring outside
speakers who are thought leaders.
For the retail buildings and food
hall in UnCommons, the architects
opted for a pre-manufactured,
industrial structural system of the
sort that might be used in a warehouse
or a grain shed.
" It's a much more cost-effective
way to put a structure up, " Fullbright
says. The structure was then
cladded with more architecturally
significant detail, " so they feel
much more rich. We use things
like rusted metal and expose the
structure. "
Creating Community
The plans call for numerous spaces
scattered throughout UnCommons
in which to display art. An open
area near one of the parking structures,
for instance, is envisioned
as a spot in which to display
work from pairs of local artists in
conversation with one another,
exploring philosophical concepts,
such as harmony, that UnCommons
is based on. Wall murals
along pedestrian paths and sound
domes that play music also are
envisioned.
Fullbright describes the extensive
integration of pieces by
local artists into UnCommons as
" another layer on top of the architecture "
that reinforces the sense
of belonging that the developer is
striving to achieve.
Another community-building
feature will be the Assembly, a
5,000-square-foot (464 sq m)
meeting space capable of accommodating
meetings of up to 250
participants. When tenants aren't
using it for corporate events,
Stuart envisions staging " community-minded
conversations " about
important issues, featuring speakers
who are thought leaders on
various subjects.
Fullbright sees the outdoor areas
of UnCommons as places that will
foster synergy and connections
between people who work for
different companies, where casual
contact will generate new ideas
and even new ventures.
" The person from technology
and the person from entertainment
bump into each other and then
have lunch, " he says. " They're sitting
at the fire pit with their phones
off, and they have a conversation,
and they've started a business.
That's really what the essence of
the project is, to call people out
and have them connect. "
Stuart sees UnCommons as providing
workers and companies with
many of the same benefits they
could get from remote work and
hybrid offices.
" We've thought about what is
the best part of working at home,
and the best part of being at
work, " he says. " And then we've
taken those attributes and applied
them to the design. " UL
PATRICK J. KIGER is a Washington, D.C.-
based journalist and author.
94
URBAN LAND
SUMMER 2022
COURTESY UNCOMMONS
2022 Summer Issue

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