The inspiration for masonry construction at the Quailwood Community center is rooted deeply in the simple esthetics of the vernacular agrarian and ranching buildings located throughout Prescott Valley. A special ‘shot-peened’ integral colored slump block was selected to closely emulate the adobe construction first used by the settlers of the valley. This richly textured block along with thick buttered sack-finished colored mortar joints work in concert from both near and far to join the building with the site. The warm earth-toned color of the masonry was selected to harmonize with the nearby mountains and adjacent riparian flood plain. This down-to-earth minimal color palette commits the Community Center’s architecture to quietly embrace the beauty of the surrounding countryside and not compete with it. Horizontal projecting masonry courses were employed at all the columns for interest and to accentuate the broad horizontal expression of the building’s architecture.

While inspired by historical local buildings, the Quailwood Community Center also has progressive modern design elements which are seamlessly integrated by the use of timeless masonry construction. The earth-toned shot-peened slump block performs a significant design roll as a moderator between the modern elements of large expanses of window wall glazing, aluminum mullions, and richly colored stained concrete floor with the more traditional design aspects. Like the humble farm and ranch buildings of Prescott Valley, the decision to use masonry for its inherent beauty, dependability and honest structural expression was an easy choice for the Quailwood Community Center.