Parker Water & Sanitation District Headquarters
The Parker Water & Sanitation District Headquarters is more than an administrative building. It’s a symbol of stewardship, community service, and deep respect for the land it occupies. Designed to unite more than 180 staff members across administrative, maintenance, and laboratory operations, the 102,000 square-foot facility supports PWSD’s projected 20-year growth while fostering collaboration, innovation, and engagement.
Set against the backdrop of the Rueter-Hess Reservoir, the site tells a story thousands of years in the making. Archaeological artifacts uncovered during earlier reservoir development reveal more than 9,000 years of human history, from Native American tipi rings to early homesteading. The building honors this legacy with a form inspired by water’s ripple effect: two curved, concentric rings that emerge gently from the hillside. Earth-toned materials and careful orientation minimize disruption to the land while harmonizing with the natural surroundings.
The design unites previously dispersed teams in a shared, modular, and highly functional environment. Administrative offices occupy the upper ring, while maintenance bays and a high-performance water quality laboratory fill the lower ring. A light-filled central courtyard offers employees a moment of respite and connection to nature.
The facility also welcomes the public for PWSD board meetings and interpretive exhibits. Its location, just off a popular trail network, encourages deeper ties between the community and the vital work of water stewardship.
The values are reflected in every aspect of the building’s performance. Landscaped with native, non-irrigated plantings and surrounded by carefully designed drainage swales, the headquarters manages runoff naturally and supports regional biodiversity. Glass-fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels, lightweight and regionally responsive, reduce structural demands and mimic the flowing geometry of water. The building’s siting takes full advantage of natural light, seasonal shading, and topography, reducing energy use and operational impact.
Completed in December 2023, the Parker Water & Sanitation District Headquarters embodies design that serves both people and planet. It reflects PWSD’s mission to be responsible stewards of the region’s water resources and offers a space where history, innovation, and community converge. In 2024, the project received a Design Award of Merit from AIA Colorado in recognition of its thoughtful, environmentally responsive design.
