Vierbicher transforms eyesore into sight for sore eyes

Centralia Center

By Brendan O'Brien

The barren walls and stark design of a vacant big-box structure proved to be no match for Vierbicher Associates' architects, who turned an old retail complex into the Centralia Center, an inviting senior resource center in Wisconsin Rapids.

The 65,000-square-foot building, once a Wal-Mart, is now home to Park Place Adult Day Service, Lowell Senior Center and the Aging Resource Center of Wood County.

"It was quite a challenge, looking at the large mass of the building," said Meg Roback, architect with Vierbicher Associates. "We had large side walls and a large open space, as Wal-Marts typically are. It was very opaque."

By breaking down the design of the big box, the architects were able to rid the building of its dullness. The firm created focal points with taller roofs and completely reconstructed the east wall of the structure. A large, curved curtain wall on the inside was constructed to overlook a grassy plaza.

"(The design) brings day-lighting deep into the building and makes a tremendous difference compared to the original box without any windows," Roback said. "We also incorporated a number of skylights that created pools of light and, again, really helped infuse the space with light since it was such a deep building."

The firm also designed covered porches along the outside of the structure that serve a dual purpose of bringing the building down to a human scale and creating vistas overlooking the grassy plaza where senior activities occur.

"This is a testament to what design can do to promote healthy environments," Roback said.

The planning and construction of the senior center was a joint effort between public and private organizations. An $800,000 private fund-raising campaign and a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant, secured by Vierbicher, helped offset the $3.6 million cost of reconstruction.

"It was a great balance between public and private partnership," Roback said. "It really took everyone pulling together to see and buy into the vision and back it up with funding."

	Project Name: Centralia Center Location: Wisconsin Rapids Submitting Company: Vierbicher Associates Inc., Reedsburg General Contractor/Construction Manager: Altmann Construction Co. Inc., Wisconsin Rapids Architect: Vierbicher Associates Inc. Engineer: Arnold and O'Sheridan Inc., Madison Owner: Wisconsin Rapids Redevelopment Authority Project Cost: $3.6 million Start Date: June 2002 Completion Date: December 2003

The collaboration helped dissolve some perceptions that came with building a senior center where a Wal-Mart once stood. The firm, with the help of community leaders, was able to show local seniors what could be done to build a vibrant center.

"Everyone in town has known the Wal-Mart and knew it was vacant," Roback said. "The seniors, in particular, had a lot of concerns about moving into that building because it was not a pleasant or happy or festive place to be."

But since its completion in December, the center has drawn positive reviews from local seniors.

"It has been met with incredible responses," Roback said. "That's a testament to the teamwork involved in this project."