DETAIL | HONOR 

Entry Name: Farm Credit Services of America Corporate Office Building 2
Firm: The Clark Enersen Partners
Owner: Farm Credit Services of America
Photographer: Jim Scholz, Scholz Images, Omaha, Nebraska

Joined by a skywalk, this 2nd building on a lending institution’s corporate campus seeks to reinforce the agriculturally inspired concepts of the original building (2002) while also connecting its occupants to the lending institution’s many locations throughout the Midwest. The building’s layout and forms allude to an agrarian aerial view of the Jeffersonian grid superimposed over rolling fields, streams and other landforms. 

The west façade is an abstract representation of wind blowing through a wheat field depicted through brick pattern. Two brick colors set at varying depths and orientation achieve this effect. The different depths of brick provide an ever-changing pattern of shadows throughout the day, superimposed over a Midwest topography of rolling fields, streams and other landforms. At times, the shadows create large circular forms, which reference the irrigation system pivot tracks unique to an aerial view of the agricultural landscape. To create the superimposed circular shadow lines, the façade is separated into three fields, each with their own unique combination of brick pattern relief. The façade’s angular form further emphasizes the movement of the brick pattern, and also alludes to the shape of a nearby creek. 

Jury Comments: This project takes the predominant building material in this part of the world and really gives it life. Uses Nebraska light and almost makes it shimmer. It is simultaneously subtle yet strong. Might appear to move, as you move around the building. Brick work was executed extremely well – a real strength. Imagination realized – innovates with brick.