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'91  Tennyson Enterprises Corporate Office - Ottumwa IA

Tennyson Enterprises Corporate Office Building, Ottumwa Iowa was designed as a 9,995 square foot office building. Constructed in 1991 this wood framed structure incorporates "T" stud design, internal gutters and drainage, custom glazing and seamed metal roofing. In Kenneth's only interview with the Owner, Ivan Tennyson asked, "What will it look like?" Kenneth had no renderings prepared, turned and saw a black slate chalk board behind him, picked up a fresh stick of chalk and sketched the building perspective. From across the room Mr. Tennyson asked, "What will it be made of?" Kenneth was familiar with the  vernacular material used predominantly throughout Ottumwa's commercial buildings and as promoted by the historic John Morrell & Co. Meat Packing Plant, established in 1877. "Brick," he responded. "How long will it last?" Kenneth paused, then "eighty, maybe a hundred years." Ivan quipped, "I am only going to be around for another 40! Why would I want a building that's going to last longer than me?" With that, Kenneth determined a wood framed structure with an EIFS cladding would suffice to make the compromise. Ivan secured a local residential carpenter, Buddy Jones to supervise the work. Two months into the project Kenneth was concerned. He had not heard from either the Owner of the Contractor and the building construction was well under way. Kenneth called Buddy. "How are things going?" The answer was followed immediately with a question, "Fine. Why are you calling." Taken aback, Kenneth pursued, "I haven't heard from you and it is uncommon that a Contractor would have no questions for the designer during the Work." A complete and concise document set was all Buddy needed. He called once for clarification on a structural bearing elevation. That was the only project clarification. Kenneth's first professional commission - a one call project.