The $45 million Wildhorse Resort & Casino project consisted of a new 10-story hotel tower, a five-plex cinema and an expansion of the existing casino.

During construction, the existing hotel and casino were fully operational.

The expanded complex marks the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s growing role as a regional economic engine and is anticipated to add nearly 120 full-time jobs to the area.

The project’s exterior cladding consists of nearly 104,000 square feet of drainable EIFS with a patented finish using biomimicry technology, which allows the building to shed water and dirt more effectively than previous finish types. The system was installed over metal framing with fiberglass sheathing.

One of the first project challenges was the erection of scaffolding on all four sides of the building to facilitate continuous installation of the EIFS without delays. Weather conditions also created challenges for scheduling the project. The harsh winter created delays that required subsequent expedience and collaboration among the trades.

Judge’s comment: “The exterior insulated finished system installed on this project has provided both a beautiful and energy-efficient building cladding. The extensive amount of soffits, variety of materials, and design complexity unite to provide a wonderful finished product.”