This small, private project not only took top honors in the private cast-in-place category, but also was the 2000 Grand Award Winner for Excellence in Construction.

"The building captures the essence and quality of concrete casting," said Wade Perrow of Wade Perrow Construction in Gig Harbor. Perrow was one of 10 jury members selected to judge WACA’s 2000 awards competition.

"It’s utilitarian, simple, but with a powerful design."

The building was built on a 5,100-square-foot lot that was once a part of a railroad wye. The odd shape of the lot and the uniqueness of the site inspired a three-building complex, with a mix of uses split to save existing trees and preserve open space, while affording views of a nearby shipping canal, hillsides and mountains. The complex contains office space, a caretaker’s residence and mini-warehouse space.

The buildings are made of site-cast reinforced concrete mat foundations and site-case reinforced concrete bearing/shear walls. Floors are a light wood frame with a lightweight concrete topping.

The owner, who designed and constructed the building as well, chose concrete for its durability, timelessness, and rugged beauty.

Perrow said he was also impressed with how the structure tied into its urban/industrial environment, while complementing the broader, residential context of Ballard.