Stuck out like a silver thumb The first time I saw the newly built Devon Energy Center in Oklahoma City, I was shocked. It seemed off-balance and stuck out like a silver thumb above the rest of the horizon. It may be the tallest building in Oklahoma, but it's ugly. What was the city thinking, allowing such an eyesore to dominate the skyline for miles around? Just look at it! By day it is visible for miles, a solitary and insignificant structure jutting into the sky. At night, a simple glowing floating triangle. Whose idea was it? However competenceMy initial impression was probably rather hasty. In retrospect, I am reminded of the initial complaints about the “useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower” when it was built. The more I learn about the details of the tower, the more I recognize the expertise of Devon Energy and its architects Pickard Chilton. Experience in architecture is a tall order (no pun intended). The building must first and foremost be functional. The most beautiful building in the world demonstrates a sad lack of competence if it fails to serve its purpose well. The Devon Energy Center had a very specific purpose: to provide a single workplace for Devon employees, who as the company grew were spread across various buildings around the city. Accordingly, the design began with the interiors, considering communications between departments and appropriate floor plans. The exterior building designs were also created with functionality in mind. The tower's cross section, a modified equilateral triangle, is oriented to minimize unwanted solar gain, important for a sunny location with months of 90 and 100ºF days in the summer. The architectural experience also requires beautiful form. While my initial impressions were of… half paper… Sheet metal. September 17, 2013. http://mgmcgrath.com/devon-energy-center-achieves-leed-gold-certification/. Network. Accessed June 13, 2014. Broome, Beth and Malone, Alanna “Corporate Green: Iconic energy company headquarters symbolizes renewed urbanism in Oklahoma City.” Greensource magazine. September 2013. http://greensource.construction.com/green_building_projects/2013/1309-devon-energy-center.asp. Network. Accessed June 13, 2014.[na] “Owner Resource 2012” Devon Owner Relations Team. Devon Energy Corp. http://www.dvn.com/royalty/Documents/2012%20Owner%20Resource%20Guide.pdf. PDF. Accessed June 13, 2014.[na] “View of Tower through Rotunda Oculus” Design Intelligence. Aker Imaging. http://www.di.net/almanac/firms/pickard-chilton/. Network. Accessed June 13, 2014. Crossbie, Michael J. Devon: The Story of a Civic Landmark. Picture Publishing, Mulgrave, Vic., Australia. 2013. Print.