Keller and Associates
Meridian, ID

The MKA Office Building at Trackside is a new ground-up, three-story, 19,000-square foot office and mixed use building serving as headquarters for the engineering firm Keller and Associates in Meridian, with office space, conference rooms, and a break room that doubles as a large entertaining or conference space with easy kitchen access and a roof patio with pavers and trellis, etc. The project is only the second office building constructed within the downtown core in more than 16 years.

With so many design elements within one building, the facility can be described as an engineer’s showroom-showing Keller Associates’ strength in each type of service the company offers, including structural, electrical, site design, and more. The building features a complex structural system with four independent systems, connected and working together including concrete, wood, steel and two sizes of curtain wall.

Highlights include exposed structural steel and concrete, tilted outward and sloped upward curtain wall providing views on all sides of the building, of the historic downtown. Another highlight is an insulated and ventilated parklex natural wood rain screen facade cladding from Spain. Interior finishes feature decorative light fixtures, white oak wood stairs, quartz counter tops and custom furniture throughout.

Part of the function of the building was to provide employees access to natural light and higher ceilings. Ultimately, the owners wanted a new office space where employees wanted to be in the office and enjoyed being there, while also using it as a recruiting tool to attract new employees, all of which has been achieved.

Additionally the building was designed with sustainability in mind, and the electrical/lighting system includes a full control system, daylight harvesting, LED lights and occupancy sensors in each of the office spaces and open areas. The building was also designed to accommodate future solar panels on the roof.

Awards

First Place 2022 Idaho Top Projects