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Community Activity Center

Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls, Montana

A multi-purpose building for families and visitor to enjoy religious, dining, shopping, medical, library and recreational activities.

Community Activity Center

Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls, Montana

Community Activity Center

Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls, Montana

DELIVERY METHOD

Design-Bid-Build

CERTIFICATIONS

SIZE

21,820 SF

COMPLETION

2010

CONTRACTOR

Jackson Contractor Group

SERVICES

Some buildings are designed for work – think an office. Residential buildings are designed to be private places where we shelter from the outside world. Then there are public buildings designed for social leisure: for making and keeping friendships. This is what the Community Activity Center was designed for, making and keeping friends. Its simple floorplan is a rich backdrop for fond memories, made of wood, stone and steel, all ingredients in creating a warm aesthetic inspired by national park lodges. A generous multipurpose space, a music room, a restaurant and bar are built for sharing stories and laughter. The patio under a trellis is the ideal setting for sipping drinks while enjoying a Montana sunset.

Designing a building then bidding and awarding a contractor the job to make the design reality can be a frightening journey. It makes for a tense and confrontational arrangement when reputations and dollars are at stake. The Community Activity Center was a different story. Yes, there were disagreements, but the project team worked through them. They realized they all wanted the same thing: successful completion of a functional and handsome building. The experience inspired the contractor and WJA Design Collaborative to pursue, win and work on projects together – and they’ve been friends ever since.

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