Chambless King Architects projects honored by AIA Birmingham
On July 16, Chambless King Architects was honored by the Birmingham chapter of the Alabama Council of the American Institute of Architects for three design projects. The awards were presented to Chambless King Architects at the chapter’s annual design award ceremony at Back Forty Beer Company in downtown Birmingham.
The Mill at Prattville was awarded the Honor Award, the highest level of recognition that the AIA bestows to firms for projects displaying exemplary design.
The Mill at Prattville
The Mill at Prattville | Honor Award
This adaptive reuse project transformed a derelict property into a 127-unit apartment complex that celebrates the site’s historic foundation as well as its industrial evolution.
Central to the project was the meticulous historic preservation of buildings dating from 1848 to 1957. Approved by the National Parks Service, this included façade restoration and repointing, steel window restoration, wood window restoration and replacement, and roof replacement. Non-original openings and loading entries were filled with dark storefront glazing to contrast the original openings and preserve their open appearance.
While the primary objective was to reveal the original buildings long obscured by subsequent metal building additions, care was also taken to preserve traces of the site’s more recent industrial past. Steel bridges were preserved as elevated links between buildings that offer unique vantage points, while a crane system and steel roof purlins remain on display between original buildings and showcase the complex's evolution. Repurposed metal structures now provide covered parking and shade at the entrance drive, celebrating arrival to the complex. Even large portions of concrete paving, retaining traces of original rail lines and loading docks, were preserved. Remnants of demolished concrete were also repurposed as landscape pavers.
To accommodate the unique characteristics of each building, a diverse range of unit types was designed to optimize natural light and views. Large extents of the original heavy timber structure and decking was left exposed, and existing rail and pully systems were preserved both within units and in common areas. Uncomplicated open layouts and a simple material palette complement the textures of the original building fabric.
Priceville Event Center
Priceville Event Center | Citation Award
The Priceville Event Center is a 25,000-square-foot banquet, fitness, and sports venue in the heart of Priceville’s developing town square.
The center is comprised of a primary gymnasium and two single-story, multi-purpose fitness support wings. The 10,100-square-foot gymnasium design includes an elevated walking track and tiered seating for 320 spectators. The floor can be configured for one (1) full-size or two (2) youth basketball courts, one (1) futsal court, one (1) volleyball court, or banquets up to 400 guests. The multi-purpose fitness wings feature a cardio/strength training room and additional spaces for small-scale events and virtual fitness training.
Plans include pedestrian paths between the recreation center and city hall with ample lawn space designed to enhance activities at both locations and encourage community gathering. The exterior of the Priceville Event Center visually connects to city hall through complementing brick and cast stone veneers. A more playful, industrial aesthetic is introduced through the gymnasium box, elevating the simple form into a space reflective of the energy a recreation center brings to its community.
Papa Dubi’s Restaurant
Papa Dubi’s | Citation Award
Papa Dubi’s, a family-owned Cajun restaurant, opened in 2005. After expanding twice within its original location in a strip mall, Papa Dubi’s sought a standalone location that would allow for future growth. This new construction project relocated the restaurant to the southwest corner of a 2.5-acre parcel in Albertville, Alabama with views from U.S. Highway 431 heading south. It is the first indoor/outdoor dining campus in Marshall County.
The 5,500-square-foot, u-shaped building includes a main dining area and outdoor covered patio that surrounds a central courtyard. A full bar wraps from the covered patio to the interior with beer taps directly connected to the walk-in cooler. The kitchen and bathrooms buffer parking from the dining space and allow for direct guest interaction through a drive-thru window. The main dining room is defined by low-dividing walls and features high windows to fill the space with natural light and offer views into the courtyard.
The building’s interior structure is exposed, stained glulam beams. Cedar is used to emphasis important features of the building, including the entry, drive-thru window, and outside courtyard. Cross bracing on the open patio received vertical stainless-steel cables to serve as a trellis for a wall of ivy to grow.
The rear of the site was designed to allow for future expansion to potentially include a bar annex, amphitheater for live music, children’s play area, and space for community crawfish boils.