The Factory, located on the site of the former Miltex Dental Tool factory, is a mixed-use three-story building with five two-story, loft-style condominiums on the second and third floors. The building is located on the corner of Sixth and Ronan streets in central Missoula south of the Clark Fork River and downtown. With this project we strived to create a healthy, comfortable and aesthetically-pleasing environment for people to live and work while limiting our impact on the environment. The first floor is commercial space, including an established Missoula day spa and some other low-impact business.

In keeping with its former industrial use, the face of the building is comprised of a mix of architectural concrete panels, unfinished steel siding and corrugated metal. Each of the residential lofts are accessible through two stair towers and an elevator. The elevator runs up to the roof to a roof courtyard, garden and enclosed sunroom… all with amazing views. Each condo has covered parking as well as its own storage unit.

Our main goals for this project is a strong emphasis on aesthetic design while constructing in an environmentally-friendly and sustainable manner. We hope this building is an example of green building practices that might encourage future projects. We focused a great deal of energy on salvaging the existing building, designing he new building efficiently and incorporating as much of the old building into the new. Some examples of our work include:

Salvage and Re-use:

• Remove the existing roof membrane and re-use for the new covered parking structure. The balance was donated to individuals and the Missoula Children's Museum for their new water exhibit.
• Remove the existing roof panels, alter and re-install as the roof deck cover, covered parking roof and storage unit ceilings. The balance was donated to individuals to use as wall sections in a residence.
• Remove all batt insulation and re-use in the floor assembly between the first and second floors. The balance was donated to individuals for re-use in residences.
• Remove all existing concrete blocks and donated over 1,000 to Home Resources for re-use. The unsalvageable blocks went to J.T.L. to be ground and re-used as concrete ballast.
• Remove all concrete slab and donate to individuals in the community to be used as landscaping urbanite. The balance is incorporated into the landscape design.
• Remove all metals such as steel lintels, conduits, copper and metal siding. We recycled all metals that were no longer useable. All useable metals such as gas and water piping, electrical conduits and siding were incorporated into the design of the new building.
• Remove over 3,000 lineal feet of dimensional 2x10 boards. We incorporated these boards into elements of the new building including: cabinet doors, loft stairs, countertops and finishes in the commercial spaces.
• Remove over 2,500 square feet of tongue-and-groove boards and incorporate into the new building as base trim, flooring and architectural details in the lofts and commercial spaces.
• Remove all existing framing boards for use as framing in this and other buildings.
• Remove existing roof fire assembly and re-use as fire assembly between first and second floors.
• Construct trash enclosure with salvaged materials from the original building.
• All trees there were removed for construction were ground into mulch or cut to firewood sizes.
• Remove and donate all doors, sinks, heaters, etc. to Home Resources.

Design:

• Specify mechanical systems that operate efficiently, limit materials for installation and will last:
  • Heating - 94% efficient furnaces, zoned, variable speed with airflow testing. The mechanical systems are designed to provide fresh air throughout the lofts.
  • Plumbing - high-efficiency water heating and low usage toilets
  • Electrical - high-efficiency Energy Star and low-voltage light fixtures. Dimmers installed for key light fixtures
  • Appliances - high-efficiency Energy Star appliances throughout
• Construct a tight building shell that includes netted walls with blown, recycled cellulose insulation for minimum heat loss and sound transmission.
• Use all regionally-grown and manufactured wood products. Order framing and sheeting materials as close as possible to their installed lengths and widths to limit waste. All extra material were recycled or used in other applications.
• Low E, double insulated windows
• Use low-water, native plants in the landscape design. The watering system is the drip type supplied from an existing well on the site.
• Incorporate low and no V.O.C. paints and stains throughout the project.
• Incorporate sustainable finishes such as bamboo flooring, high-content, recycled concrete, recycled glass tile and recycled paper countertops.
• Unfinished, rusted metal siding panels on the stair and elevator towers
• Reduced thickness corrugated metal exterior siding
• White 45 mil TOP roofing membrane to lower thermal heating within and without the building
• Incorporate vegetation on the roof to limit thermal heating.

Introducing an exciting condominium project right in the heart of Missoula, Montana: This former factory combines a sophisticated architectural design with a commitment to green living. Bringing new life to old space, these five lofts are located minutes from downtown, the Good Food Store and the University of Montana along the adjacent bike trail.