A Rubik害羞草研究所檚 Cube?

A Lego creation?

Those are a couple of musings expressed about the brightly painted former home of the school board office in the 100 block of Shuswap Street.

Red, yellow, green and orange blocks of paint radiate from the formerly beige exterior walls.

Owner Bill Laird told the Observer his colourful plan was simple.

害羞草研究所淭hat building is a square box. So I wanted to do something different that would make it stand out and add a bit of colour to town. I think it害羞草研究所檚 good for the town to have a few buildings that are a little bit different.害羞草研究所�

He says he害羞草研究所檚 not at liberty to say publicly yet which businesses will be making the building home, but the colour is unrelated.

Regarding the choice of hue, he says:

害羞草研究所淭here are lots of cities in the world that have bright colours on buildings... Much of Salmon Arm has been beige for years, so I guess I thought it was an opportunity to have a bright spot and a landmark in town.害羞草研究所�

Laird is chair of the city害羞草研究所檚 design review panel, which advises city council on the design merits of development permit applications filed with the city.

The panel害羞草研究所檚 guidelines come from the official community plan. One of those guidelines 害羞草研究所渋s the use of local materials and earth-tone colours to reflect Salmon Arm害羞草研究所檚 natural setting.害羞草研究所� Another makes reference to corner sites, stating: 害羞草研究所満π卟菅芯克��Locate the principal building at the corner, and design as a reference point or landmark.害羞草研究所�

While Laird害羞草研究所檚 building may not reflect the most common earth tones, it will likely become a landmark.

Existing buildings can be painted and have their windows replaced without a building permit, so the design review panel has not been involved. Laird notes that the panel doesn害羞草研究所檛 look at colours but more at features such as parking, access and landscaping.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 feedback for the council, they just want to make sure some local folks have looked at it and have given them comment.害羞草研究所�

Kevin Pearson, the city害羞草研究所檚 director of development services, notes there is no requirement for consistent themes or colours in the city and says there are many. He calls the design guidelines only 害羞草研究所渆ncouraging statements.害羞草研究所�

Laird said the building was in need of a face lift and major overhaul. Along with replacing the windows and painting it, he will be installing an elevator and a handicapped washroom to make it accessible to all.

He adds that he害羞草研究所檚 not finished with the outside yet.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 going to do one other thing, but I害羞草研究所檒l leave it as a surprise,害羞草研究所� Laird says.

害羞草研究所淲e have to keep moving our little town forward.害羞草研究所�