The AIA headed out to the Gaillard Center yesterday afternoon for a tour of the building as they are wrapping up construction.  Thanks to Skanska for leading the tour.  Here is a brief description of the building:

The Gaillard Center is a 1960’s era, general purpose auditorium and exhibit hall.  The design team, David M. Schwarz Architects, Inc. in collaboration with Earl Swensson Associates, Inc. and local architects Evans & Schmidt, were commissioned in 2010 to design an extensive renovation and expansion of the facility.  The project scope includes rebuilding the auditorium, expanding the exhibit hall into a banquet facility, and the construction of an office building that will accommodate several of the City’s departmental offices.  The exterior includes new entrance porticos on two sides and a galleria promenade running the width of the building between the two porticos to serve as a shared lobby for the performance hall, banquet hall and offices.