Contemporary and classic designs win Kalispell architecture awards

The 2022 Kalispell Architectural Awards have been announced, and businesses Montana’s Great Indoors and The Ritz have been honored as the year’s best designs.

The awards as selected by the Kalispell Architectural Review Committee are designed to acknowledge quality development while encouraging originality and innovation to protect and enhance the city’s character and appeal.

Montana’s Great Indoors is a new children’s recreation center, complete with jungle gyms, slides and more that make up a dream playground and birthday party site for children. The business off U.S. 93 in North Kalispell features a 24-foot high climbing structure with a winding slide, specially constructed for the facility and imported from Europe.

When taking on the project, Bozeman-based architecture firm Ensitio Design had to balance needs for a large, open, interior space with the desire for the structure’s exterior to feel approachable, and to fit into the landscape of the valley.

Architectural Review Board Chairperson Julia Pierrottet praised the building’s agricultural aesthetic, highlighting the barn-like layout and corral-style fencing.

Speaking with the Inter Lake, Pierrottet also noted how the board appreciated the architects’ decision for the business to stand apart from the big box stores along that stretch of U.S. 93.

“We liked that they broke the size into smaller parts, so it doesn’t look massive,” Pierrottet said.

The facility is split into two barn-like larger areas, with the high ceiling clearance to make space for the climbing walls and other play structures, and they are joined by a smaller tunnel-like space. This gives the impression of two buildings, instead of a large, single box. The business shares the space with preschool Creative Minds Early Learning Center.

Architect John Montoya made it clear that avoiding the big box retail look, inside and out, was a priority for the firm. During the design process, the firm wanted to create a building that didn’t just look good from the highway.

“Architecture is seen from all sides,” said John Montoya, critiquing “one-sided architecture,” that he felt is too common in commercial development.

Pierrottet also praised the “funky blue” exterior of the building, something co-owner Jennifer Seibert described as a “bold choice,” intended to make it appealing to kids and parents alike.

“We weren’t sure if the blue was going to be well received,” Seibert said.

THE OTHER WINNER recognized is The Ritz, the new dual-concept bar and restaurant, with a nail salon in the back.

The downtown Kalispell business boasts 1920s art-deco “speakeasy” inspired branding, and Pierrottet said the committee was impressed by the decision to respect the historic building’s roots in their renovation, while bringing an innovative business model that fits a new niche.

“The historic buildings [in downtown Kalispell] all had glass to the ground to show off their wares,” said Pierrottet. “The windows had been covered up by the previous tenant, and we liked that the new business owners made an effort to bring it back to the original [intent].”

The owners and designers opted to restore and implement aspects of the building's original design, including a wrought-iron fixture and decorative molding that was uncovered during the renovation.

Operations Manager Ben Stodghill said the Main Street business wanted to emulate one of the 72 bars that used to operate along the strip, serving patrons of the McIntosh opera house, which was right down the street, and others.

“We were aiming for an art-deco style, in the Kalispell way,” Stodghill said.

The committee was pleased that the business decided to honor the historic nature of the building while implementing their strong branding and identity with signs, lighting and decor, which Stodghill is proud to say was all sourced locally.

The rework isn’t over yet — the bar is renovating their downstairs as a “speakeasy” style bar, which Stodghill says will have a bit more grunge than the chic ground-level amenities. In doing their research for the renovation, The Ritz found historic photographs of the original bar and will be evoking certain elements in the modern-day version. If everything goes to plan, the downstairs bar will open in June 2023.

Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at aknowler@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4407.