Entergy has served Arkansas for 100 years, currently powering 696,000 homes and businesses in 63 counties.
For the new service center in Batesville, Entergy desired a facility that could accommodate all of their equipment, trucks, and large influxes of people and line-workers for major storm events; increasing their efficiency and ability to return service to the public as quickly as possible.
This new 25,640 SF facility incorporates a large human-scaled office area and large storage areas, truck and mechanical bays, all connected by a large crew room.
The conference room doubles as a hardened internal safe room that provides protection for personnel that must work through severe storms. Offices have large windows with views to the creek and existing trees. These are layered with interior windows to allow the daylight to penetrate through the building to the open office area. A 3,000 SF storage area will house their equipment, parts, and tools, and is located just off the dock for easy access. A drive through Mechanic’s Bay allows for repair and regular maintenance of line trucks and Entergy equipment. Ceilings in these areas were painted white to reflect light in order to brighten the space.
The layout of the project makes use of the natural terrain, creating the truck dock along the fall of the slope, which minimizes site grading and allows an existing creek to flow through the site undisturbed. A retention pond captures site water drainage and slows its flow from the site.
The building reflects the industrial nature of their work, and their commitment to community, utilizing exterior building materials including durable metal wall panels and native Batesville limestone.
