The client is a leader in advanced waste treatment processes
and have won numerous state awards. As a result, they are
permitted to discharge their effluent directly into the
surrounding wetlands. The site is surrounded by marshes, to an
extent fed by the plant, and the District welcomes a lot of
birdwatchers, as well as schoolchildren and professionals eager
to learn about waste treatment. Here are progress photos as of
3/02.
This building is up on a little hill just above the 680
freeway, about five miles north of Concord. The exterior paint
scheme is incorrect and will be fixed. We originally presented a
sweeping, asymetrically curved roof instead of the gable, which
might have supported the avian imagery better.
The drum-shaped lobby, inspired by the many brightly colored
refinery tanks surrounding the site, will contain educational
exhibits. The stainless steel chandelier is derived from the
banks of UV tubes which sterilize the effluent near the end of
the treatment process.
Here's the site plan. You will need the Autodesk DXF viewer to see it. Unfortunately Autodesk changed their system...it used to automatically download. You can't see it in Firefox, sorry.
Right-click for viewing options.
The building is surrounded by wetlands and the Exxon and Shell refineries. The freeway is to the north (up). A xeriscape wildflower meadow will surround the building.