Vidor City Hall

Construction Cost : $4.5M | SF : 16,355 The City commissioned RSA to design a new City Hall and Municipal Court facility with a joint use Council Chambers/ Municipal Court/ EOC that was “hardened” and able to withstand 145 mph hurricane strength winds. RSA’s design called for a curved multi-faceted building exterior with aquamarine colored glass to reflect the coastal setting of this Municipal Administration Building. The white stucco veneer was articulated with reveals to resemble a limestone facade against which the aquamarine glass and clear anodized curtainwall stand in stark contrast. The building has two emergency generators which were funded through a Home-Land Security Grant; one of which supports the entire building and a second that runs the hardened EOC. An independent underground water well and propane tanks provide utilities in the event of a natural disaster. The EOC, supporting mechanical systems, power and data equipment are protected by an innovative insulated concrete forms (ICF) wall system and a poured in place concrete roof. RSA went to great lengths to ensure that citizens and employees would not perceive the building as a hurricane resistant facility until a disaster strikes and the facility is converted to its Emergency Operations Center purpose.