The Masonic Building was designed by noted early Rogue Valley Architect Frank Clark and constructed in 1902. It occupies a prime spot on the Plaza in downtown Ashland, and, at three stories, is the tallest building on the Plaza. With an eye to protecting the public from debris falling during a seismic event from the concrete and brick building façade, the building owner proposed constructing an exterior façade reinforcement system that took the shape of a third floor balcony. The balcony is anchored in the native bedrock below the sidewalk and not attached to the building. This allows building and balcony to act independently in a seismic event. We took design cues from the existing building and camouflaged the new steel structure within expanded existing cornices, parapets and pilasters. The finished product looks like it has always been a part of the building even though it has just recently been constructed.
