Design Research on One America Tower Building in Indianapolis

This design research delves into the history, architecture, and impact of One America Tower Building in Indianapolis. It discusses the building's unique features, such as its height, artwork, and sustainable design. The research also explores the impact of the building on the neighborhood and the economy. The main architect firm involved in this building is Skidmore, Owing and Merrill. The building is entirely used for commercial purposes and is considered one of the tallest buildings in the state of Indiana.

One America tower building in
Indianapolis design research

TABLE OF CONTENTS
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5
APPENDIX......................................................................................................................................6

In the history, One America tower building in Indianapolis plays an important role
because it defined an excellence in a today’s business environment. The building was found in
1982 and it is of 38 story building which is mainly used by many companies for offices. It is
considered one of the tallest building in the state of Indiana which is followed by Chase Tower.
In the building there is no observation deck and the surrounding cities can be seen from a
Skyline Club which is a private club and restaurant on 36th floor1. The rest of the building is not
accessible by local public because there are many electronic turnstiles in front of the elevators.
The main architect firm involved in this building is Skidmore, Owing and Merrill who is
an American architectural urban planning and engineering firm who designed many building in
which Burj Khalifa is also included. It was founded in 1936 by Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel
Owings and in 1939, they both work together by an engineer John Merrill and as a result, the
start taking contracts. The company also have a long history of sustainable design which in turn
reflected that it mainly focuses upon environment and that is why, recognized for their research
and experiment with new energy saving and carbon reducing technologies. This in turn reflected
that with the company’s innovation style, introducing One America tower building in
Indianapolis is also a great opportunity that helps to incorporate with new technologies and
provide a good location to people.
By conducting an interview with the architecture of the building, it has been analysed that
there are many argue point raised within an interview. The first is what influence the building
has on neighborhoods because it is considered a great deal to both One America and City of
Indianapolis as said by Jim Freeman. The building is entirely used for the commercial purpose
and that is why, our Downtown campus include two additional office building with a parking
area with twin signboard that reflect the love of a city2. Another argue presented during an
interview is such that why the buildings is high what impact the height had on neighbourhood.
This is so that the height of the building is 186.84 m and in the architectural point of view, it is of
162.46 m. The rationale of being a tallest building is to save space and accommodate more
occupants (as it already has 38 floors) as compared to lower density building. The impact drawn
1 One America Square. 2022. [Online]. Available through: < https://www.emporis.com/buildings/118697/one-
american-square-indianapolis-in-usa>.
2 One the rise, Standing Tall. 2022. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.oneamerica.com/about-us/oneamerica-140/article-140-building-main>.

by One Tower Building’s height upon other building is such to attract the tourist. Being
recognised as a second tallest building in Indianapolis, the chances of visitors will be high and
this in turn causes positive impact over the neighbour building because visitors or tourist visit
such places also. In the economical aspect, it has been identified that construction of tall building
is more affordable and the height of building is relation to the overall configuration is considered
one of the most affecting factor in order to determine the impact a building have upon the
surroundings.
Being a tallest building, it has been analysed that the tower is heated and cooled due to
having a well structure of water heat exchange systems. In summer the condenser water from
building is circulated through heat exchanger so that coolness can removed and then chilled
water is circulated3. The argument presented during an interview is related to kind of structure
and it can be stated that it is made up of 50000 cubic yard of concrete and 4000 tons of
reinforcing steel with 5000 tons of structural steel. Also, before the construction begin, around
1.5 lac tons of dirt is excavated and there are 16 passenger elevators where 3 elevators serving
the Tower Garage, 3 serving the Employee Garage and 2 Freight elevator4.
Overall, it can be stated that the artwork of the building is quite inspiring because it
reflect the patriotism and positive attitude and also the graphics come in the mind of any
individual while visiting the place is not only American Flag but it is surrounded human in
America which make proud. being a smoke free building, it encourages all type of people to visit
the same and it took around 194000 bricks each weighing 4 pounds is used to create a walkway
surrounding the Tower5. Therefore, it can be stated that with the help of attractive lobby and
artwork with unique designing, people visited the place and used for commercial purpose as
well.
3 One America Tower, Indianapolis. 2022. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.gpsmycity.com/attractions/one-america-tower-41568.html>.
4 One America Tower. 2022. [Online]. Available through: <
https://oneamericatower.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Tenant-Handbook-wi-No-Emergency-Procedures.pdf>
5 One America Tower. 2022. [Online]. Available through: <https://structurae.net/en/structures/oneamerica-tower>.

REFERENCES
Online
One America Square. 2022. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.emporis.com/buildings/118697/one-american-square-indianapolis-in-usa>.
One America Tower, Indianapolis. 2022. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.gpsmycity.com/attractions/one-america-tower-41568.html>.
One America Tower. 2022. [Online]. Available through: < https://oneamericatower.com/wp-
content/uploads/2016/03/Tenant-Handbook-wi-No-Emergency-Procedures.pdf>
One America Tower. 2022. [Online]. Available through:
<https://structurae.net/en/structures/oneamerica-tower>.
One the rise, Standing Tall. 2022. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.oneamerica.com/about-us/oneamerica-140/article-140-building-main>.

APPENDIX