A steel-lined skyline: Spokane apartment boasts unique facade

By Anna Lockhart.  

Using coated corrugated metal siding, this apartment building’s design pulls inspiration from an unlikely source. 

Editor’s note: This case study originally appeared in Metal Construction News.This is a summary of the article.  

For the residents of the Boxcar Apartments, the name of their building is quite fitting: a sturdy, brightly painted structure jutting up into the sky, reminiscent of the railcars passing by on the nearby Union Pacific railway. As Spokane, Washington, is a major railway hub for the region, it is only fitting that the city is home to such a modern building.  

The architect firm behind such a unique design, TVA Architects of Portland, Oregon, wanted to emphasize the local landscape, bringing a new and exciting look to the more underdeveloped portion of the city. Nestled just across the railroad tracks from the University District, this project no doubt brings in fresh newcomers to the area with its modern, unusual design.  

Axiom Construction and Consulting, the metal installers for the project, used durable, corrugated steel paneling for the structure’s exterior siding and trim, sourced from Metal Sales Manufacturing. The white coating on the panels ties the overall modern look together – an aesthetically pleasing, on-trend color choice.  

Constructed from a series of two-story metal panel “boxcars,” the exterior of the building gives off a building caught in a balancing act, though in reality the structure is well thought out and sturdy with reliable, durable metal paneling. Such an uncommon design has gained quite the notoriety; many complimenting the designers on accomplishing such a sleek design with an economical budget in mind.  

Additionally, the design choice gained positive attention from a panel of industry experts, winning the 2022 MCN Judges Award for outstanding new metal construction.  

Read the full case study to learn more about this outstanding metal project.

Image source: Benjamin Benschneider