Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park Restroom and Concessions Facilities

The design celebrates the rich agricultural history of Loudoun County and its growing future as a part of the Greater Washington, DC Metro Area. The Heavy Timber joists, beams, and tongue and groove planking are visible both from both the interior and exterior and are inspired by the many barns and farm structures in the area. The vertical supports on the larger roofs are reminiscent of the trunks of trees that surround the park. The concrete panels are precast with a textured batten board exterior finish. The wall panels are notched where the Heavy Timber LVLs extend through the buildings, much like a log structure would be notched to support the roof. This blend of modern concrete and wood is resilient to the rigors of an outdoor environment that exists in Northern Virginia, ranging from hot and humid summers to freezing and snow-covered winters. The sleek and simple Standing Seam Metal roof adds to the modern materials that have become common place in agricultural buildings. It also adds a continued level of resiliency and low maintenance. This resilience creates a low maintenance cost for the County and keeps the buildings looking just a great as they do now for decades to come.

The innovation of this project is the mixture of the Heavy Timber with precast concrete panels as the unified structure. These are two material types not often used together in such a way let alone as the sole structural elements. The concrete is notched to hold the timber much like a set of Lincoln Logs. Insulation sits above the long span of the Heavy Timber roof structure which is continuous for both interior and exterior spaces. The insulation provides an opportunity to conceal electrical conduit, provides acoustic damping, and separates the standing seam metal roof from the wood structure increasing longevity of the system.

The public has had a positive response to the design. Many have commented that the wood structure and its form add a natural touch to what could have been just a sterile box. The lighting design creates a glow in the evenings during nighttime tournaments and adds to its appeal.