Cherapa Place

c h e r a p a p l a c e sioux falls, sd

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Regional Character A few blocks away, the Big Sioux river tumbles over millennia-old quartzite formations which also served as Sioux Falls’ first quarry.

Quartzite is a building material unique to a small geographical area that once defined Sioux Falls architecture. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a popular building material, but over time its popularity declined largely because it is a relatively difficult stone to work.

Inspired by the falls, nearby river palisades and historic building practices, the design uses quartzite and glass to inform the building base where it is experienced by pedestrians on the river greenway or visitors to the restaurant occupying the main level. The architects worked with local manufacturers to create new methods for casting quartzite in precast concrete which wraps the exterior and lobby interior. The lighter upper horizontal precast bands contrast and hint at the horizontality of the prairie.

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Solidity & Transparency Complementing the rugged stone of the building’s base, the glassy lobby is a dramatic, light-filled space. Five different types of natural stone tile were used in the floor pattern stylized after the flowing Big Sioux river.

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Community All of the building’s tenants share amenities located on the 3rd level, including a large flexible conference room, break-out space, green roof and patio, and break room featuring dramatic river and downtown Sioux Falls views.

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North North

East East

CHERAPA PLACE CHERAPA PLACE

South South

West West

CHERAPA PLACE CHERAPA PLACE

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14 01. Restaurant Outdoor Seating 02. Restaurant 03. Kitchen 04. Office 05. Conference

06. Break Room 07. Bank Teller Area 08. Bank Reception / Waiting 09. Storage / Records 10. Loading / Storage

11. Mail 12. Vestibule 13. Lobby 14. Lower Level Parking Access

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Environmental Responsibility Earning the first LEED Gold certification in South Dakota, Cherapa Place includes the first private business prairie restoration within Sioux Falls. The native landscape provides a backdrop for the multi-phase River Greenway project which includes an amphitheater, stage and canoe take-out below Cherapa’s terrace and walks. Besides the native quartzite cladding, natural stone, sorghum and wheatboard are used as interior accents and reminders of the region. The building design also achieved high marks for energy and water savings.

The Owner has implemented sustainable practices throughout buiding operations such as discouraging the use of disposables in the common break room, creating competitive recycling goals, encouraging blackouts (little or no emergency lighting) during non-working hours and using nonchemical means for controlling pests and weeds.