Scope: Create a master plan for a seven-acre site located at the corner of Church Drive and US-93 between Whitefish and Kalispell Montana. The site has a high amount of exposure to both local residents and tourists alike. Surrounded by a mix of low- and high-density housing to the South and East, the site has many opportunities to function as a vibrant center of a multitude of activities.

Solution: Silverbrook Town Center is designed to focus on the visitor experience. The careful arrangement of buildings, open spaces, and parking creates a central gathering area where commerce, social interaction, and leisure mix within a walkable outdoor setting. Perimeter parking lots encourage a pedestrian connection across the entire site. Ample sidewalks and generous pathways provide space for businesses to extend their footprint, creating an active street scene. The numerous outdoor spaces between buildings provide opportunities for experiences such as live music or a farmers’ market. Throughout the site, a variety of scale allows for a park-like setting to intermingle with the built environment.

Architectural thoughts: Working on such a large scale is an opportunity to place. We felt a huge responsibility to the surrounding community to create a town center that positively impacted their lives. Our main goal was to create a place that is alive with activity.