An overgrown, vacant lot in the Birmingham Rail District was transformed into the sophisticated site of a shared medical building. The industrial aesthetic of the Rail District was carefully preserved through integrating raw materials such as brick, cedar, metal, and glass. The use of dark brick, selected to achieve a refined industrial aesthetic, creates a sense of strength and permanence. It is accentuated by the thoughtful use of glass, wood, and steel on each elevation to balance the weight of the brick. The interior space addresses the challenge of tempering mass with a sense of balance. A substantial canopy sheathed in dark wood is suspended from the ceiling at the main entrance, a sharp counterpoint to the elevated ceilings in the offices. Complementing this is the open and airy common reception area with its display of glass and structural steel.