International architectural designer shares Energy Tower virtual tour

Internationally acclaimed architectural designer Michael Edmonds shared with Dallas energy and real estate leaders his signature vision for how vertically integrated spaces can combine form and function, while maximizing efficiency in terms of construction costs, energy consumption and land use. He used the proposed ENERGY TOWER at City Center in Midland as the cornerstone of his presentation.

The founder of Edmonds International, having delivered more than 60 million square feet of signature architecture and interiors across North America, Latin America and Asia, provided an inside look and virtual tour of his iconic designs for ENERGY TOWER at City Center which will transform the Midland skyline with scheduled completion for the sixth-tallest building in the state planned for 2015.

A LEED-certified, 58-story vertically integrated, multi-use facility combining retail, shopping and dining with a hotel, residential condos and commercial office space, ENERGY TOWER at City Center will help meet growing business needs in the booming, oil-rich Permian Basin area, while providing a central cultural and shopping destination for residents with inviting vertical gardens, reflecting pools, a public plaza and underground parking.

“To offer the most efficient use of space, we’re going vertical—combining form, function and efficiency,” noted Edmonds. “ENERGY TOWER’s vertical design will preserve 80 percent of the building site for public spaces, reviving and rejuvenating downtown Midland, offering a grass-top amphitheater, large plazas for community events, art and music festivals and perhaps even a farmer’s market.”

In addition to adding strength, the building’s diagonal bracing pays homage to the city’s landmark Petroleum Tower built nearly a century before.

“The highest density spaces, the hotel, will sit atop the retail shops conveniently located at street level and above the underground parking. Private residential floors are above the hotel, and the building is then topped with Class-A office space,” Edmonds explained. “The living space, which demands greater infrastructure support, is located at lower levels, allowing increased floor plate efficiency in the office space in the upper floors.”

The integrated approach reduces the overall cost of construction and development, introducing an affordable yet iconic building.

Upon seeing the initial estimates for ENERGY TOWER, Edmonds explained, he knew he could achieve his vision for less. Today, current estimates for the project are more than 30 percent less than initially forecast.

Edmonds graduated with honors from the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., with studies in architecture, industrial and environmental design.

For more information and a virtual tour, visit www.EnergyTower.co.