I.B.M. Building
348 East South Temple
1961, James Hunter and Associates, Boulder, CO
The I.B.M. Building's unique structure makes it one of Salt Lake City's modern architecture landmarks. Its distinctive barrel-vaulted concrete ceilings and roof were considered innovative and experimental in 1961. In addition, local newspapers touted the building as one of the first in Utah to utilize post-tensioned concrete construction. The I.B.M. Building sparked great interest in Salt Lake City's engineering community. In fact, engineering professors from the University of Utah brought their students to watch its construction.
The interior of the I.B.M. Building was also very modern in design as the exterior vaults are repeated on the office ceilings. Mostly white walls were interspersed with panels and doors of bright orange and blue. "The effect is of a cubist painting," noted a newspaper article.
In 1961, the I.B.M. brand was synonymous with electric typewriters. The basement of the building combined a typewriter repair shop while the upper levels housed typewriter sales staff and customer education classrooms.
