Forming the northern edge of a small neighborhood park, this pumphouse brings beauty to the mundane. Often, utility projects are hidden away, their perceived “ugliness” deemed not suitable for residential neighborhoods. The Pumphouse seeks to interact with the community it serves. A standing seam shell bows to the park in a twisting form. Tubular penetrations give a playful feel to ductwork.

Architecture tends to hide mechanical systems from the user. Just as a house is about people, this building is about the mechanisms it contains. To hide the systems in a project such as this would be dishonest and unrepresentative of the value they provide. This project brings the mechanics to the forefront, showing how they can be an integral part of the aesthetic design.