Project Overview
Boasting sweeping views of Red Rock Canyon and the Las Vegas Strip, 1700 Pavilion is a 10-story, 267,000-ft2 Class A office building located in Summerlin, a planned live/work/play community in the western part of Las Vegas, Nev. Situated next to Summerlin’s open-air retail, dining, and entertainment area, 1700 Pavilion also marks the beginning of a community paseo that, when completed, will connect current and future office, residential, retail, and dining venues within Summerlin and beyond. To achieve 1700 Pavilion’s sleek exterior design—featuring 442 unitized, glass-fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels—architect Hart Howerton partnered with precast concrete producer Willis Construction.
Connecting Community through Precast Concrete
While designing 1700 Pavilion, Hart Howerton sought to position the building as an integral part of the community. To that end, the design facilitates pedestrian traffic, and the building has an aesthetic connection to the surrounding neighborhood. Precast concrete is used to establish 1700 Pavilion as an urban structure, while the large glass openings allow occupants to view the juxtaposition of the area’s urban and natural landscapes. Overall, the structure reimagines the traditional office building as a transparent, community-oriented space.
The project team selected GFRC for its modularity, cost-effectiveness, efficiencies, and high performance. Most of the 442 GFRC panels measure 26 ft long and 13.5 ft high; all are white with a medium sandblasted finish. The precast concrete panels were glazed and insulated at the precasting plant; as a result, they created a complete, unitized enclosure once installed. This modular approach was schedule-friendly, allowing the installation work to be completed with speed and efficiency.
“GFRC was selected after evaluating both precast and GFRC for their ability to meet the design, performance, budget, and schedule goals of the project,” says Randy Zwicker, senior designer at Hart Howerton. “Its lighter weight reduced the overall structural load, simplifying lateral and gravity systems and saving on structural costs. Just as importantly, GFRC allowed us to achieve a highly articulated, three-dimensional façade with deep profiles that could integrate shading and glazing seamlessly while still meeting tight schedule requirements.”
The GFRC panels provide passive solar protection for the large openings throughout the building enclosure without blocking desired sunlight or obscuring occupants’ views of the outside. On the south and west façades, the designers pushed the limits of panel depth to 18 in. to provide maximum solar protection. Conversely, for the north and east façades, panels are just 4 in. deep, allowing more daylight to enter the building. Aesthetically, the daily play of light and shadow on the façade contributes to the vibrancy and allure of 1700 Pavilion, which, with its unique design, helps redefine the corner office.
“1700 Pavilion establishes a new benchmark for workplace wellness and design in the Las Vegas Valley,” says Larry Willis, founder of Willis Construction. “Its façade not only delivers performance and beauty but also creates a strong visual identity within a vibrant neighborhood adjacent to downtown Summerlin’s retail and entertainment district. By elevating design standards and fostering walkable, connected urban life, the project has already exceeded leasing expectations and set a precedent for future development in the region.”
Mason Nichols is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based writer and editor who has covered the precast concrete industry since 2013. |