Tilt-Up Achievement Awards
Excellence in Achievement:
Although 36 structures were selected as award recipients, the panel of judges rated three projects from across all categories to receive the exclusive title, Excellence in Achievement. These projects, detailed below, stand out for their unique and inventive use of the Tilt-Up method.
SIBAYA CASINO-
• 485,000-SQUARE-FOOT SPECIAL PROJECT IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA •
• SUBMITTED BY TILT-UP SYSTEMS OF KWA ZULU , NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA •
Low maintenance, cost-effectiveness and quality made Tilt-Up the solution for this facility. The casino is designed around the local Zulu culture. Its massive central domed structure is encircled by eight satellite structures with their own identities. The unique façade features create unusual curved structures with hardly any straight lines. When the owner wanted to incorporate curved walls even though they had never been done by the contractor, a full-size sample was constructed to demonstrate the success of this technique. Constantly changing levels around the site generated a tight space, which necessitated the creation of bulk earthwork platforms to allow space for casting beds and provide crane access. In order to create the curved front face of the panels, sacrificial casting beds were formed around the outside of the building. This process involved casting two level strips of concrete that had steel bolted onto it to create tracks. A steel strike rail that was shaped to the radius of the required panel “ran” on these rails. The earth between the tracks was then shaped and the bed cast and floated using the strike rail to ensure a constant radius along the height of the panel. The panels were not just a constant thickness but also had integral columns and beams cast into them to create the depth required by the architect. Panels were cast in a two-phase operation, and certain panels had battered faces requiring the integral columns to taper so that once the back face of the column was plumb, the front face of the panel would slope backwards. Large polystyrene void forms were placed into the panel before encasing them in concrete to reduce the panel weight.To simulate local ethnic building techniques, a dry, granolithic screed mix was added to the concrete surface and hand floated into the concrete to create a textured finish. Deep recesses were formed cost-effectively by creating a composite recess former of polystyrene with a ply board that could be glued to the casting surface and would not be damaged during fixing of reinforcing and concreting of the panels. Beige paint was used to complement the existing landscape.
Judges rated the Sibaya Casino as a favorite because this project serves as “a genuine iconic milestone for the site-cast concrete wall panel industry. The shear magnitude and complexity of the scope should be inspiring to anyone involved with or contemplating using this construction method…Projects like this start to legitimize Tilt-Up within the design excellence elitist, which will slowly erode the big box stigma we currently face with so many non-believers.”
Other TCA Member Involvement: Lowden & Associates
FREEDOM TOWERS AT WALTER SISULU SQUARE-
• SPECIAL PROJECT IN GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA. •
• SUBMITTED BY TILT-UP SYSTEMS OF KWA ZULU , NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA •
Constructed on the center of the busiest traffic circle in Kliptown, this project had the goal of creating a complex feature entrance wall to a new National Monument in Soweto, South Africa. The owner wanted to ensure no construction joints were visible in the columns for the Freedom Towers, which was easily achieved with Tilt-Up. Five of the Freedom Towers columns are made of black concrete with white aggregate, and four of the columns are made of white concrete with black aggregate. This represents the new South Africa where black and white people stand together in harmony. Large floodlights inside and outside the columns of the Freedom Towers provide a spectacular illumination at night.
The remarkable monuments caught the eyes of the judges on Walter Sisulu. Judges cited the use of light, form and special relationships that serve to create a landmark most observers could never forget.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Lowden & Associates
ACCESS DENTAL-
• 44,575-SQUARE-FOOT OFFICE FACILITY IN SACRAMENTO, CALIF. •
• SUBMITTED BY PANATTONI CONSTRUCTION, INC. OF SACRAMENTO, CALIF. •
Wanting to centralize his company’s California operations into one complex and celebrate his passion for early 20th century modern architecture, the owner of Access Dental challenged the design team to create a facility rich with geometric exploration that would create a strong corporate image and portray an attitude about the company’s place in the modern world. From a constructability standpoint, one of the major challenges of this project was the integration of the vast array of exterior building components chosen for the project. The use of natural stone tiles imported from India, aluminum paneling systems and glass features created a complex puzzle that demanded a high degree of attention to detail in order to achieve the intent of the design while maintaining the project schedule.
All floors of the Class A office building are connected by an open stairway contained in a glass-enclosed outdoor room with 180-degree views to the courtyard, entry plaza and distant Sierra Mountains. The major program components – board and conference rooms, entry lobby, lunchroom, and mail center – are articulated as separate volumes on the building’s elevations, which contributes individual character to the overall building form. The architectural treatments used are painted Tilt-Up concrete panels, blue glass, dimensioned sandstone panels and an aluminum wall system. The gridded white concrete panels are parallel wall planes. All resources are located within a common core zone in each building that is encircled by offices, workstations and conference areas. The core zone is clad with rich wood-veneered panels from Tanzania, Africa, to mimic the building’s gridded parallel walls. The design solution created an efficient and collaborative organization.
“The composition of materials, colors, forms and surfaces creates a building that just makes you feel good about architecture,” said one judge, “regardless of what those elements are individually.” In addition, the spatial qualities around and through the mass of the building elements add to the overall project, and the architecture was focused in the right places.
TCA member involvement section to RMW architecture & interiors
Achievement Award Winners:
THE HARBOR SHOPS-
• 135,350-SQUARE-FOOT RETAIL FACILITY • FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.•
• SUBMITTED BY TILT-CON CORPORATION OF ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FLA. •
Originally designed as a masonry facility, this project underwent a major redesign in its early phases to make it adaptable to Tilt-Up, which required the construction team to work together to value engineer the project. Comprised of five buildings that were erected simultaneously, the construction process was coordinated extensively to ensure that all of the trades were in order and that the project was running smoothly. The facility was constructed on a site with poor swampy soil, which necessitated the construction of a special slab. After drilling piles, the contractor placed the building pad sub-base and then installed a geo-grid foundation system support below the bottom depth of the grade beam and foundation elevations. The fiber mesh system utilized polypropylene fibers rather than a welded wire fabric to provide the additional structural support to the systems.
Incorporating a Key West look, the facility features a variety of building heights, towers and reveals. Bevel reveals, overlapped panels framing blocks of color to offset the panels, sun shades and a second-story balcony all add architectural appeal to the retail center. Designed for flexibility, knock-out panels were used so future building and storefronts could be created. Viewed as a success by the community, this project was part of a redevelopment/revitalization effort for this area of Fort Lauderdale.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Braga & Blaney Associates, Inc. and Steinbicker & Associates, Inc.
WALTER SISULU DEDICATION SQUARE-
• INNOVATION PROJECT IN GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA. •
• SUBMITTED BY TILT-UP SYSTEMS OF KWA ZULU , NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA •
Constructed on the center of the busiest traffic circle in Kliptown, this project had the goal of creating a complex feature entrance wall to a new National Monument in Soweto, South Africa. The curved entrance panels were extremely complex and would have been virtually impossible to form accurately using conventional shuttering techniques for in-situ concrete walls and even more difficult to build using an in-situ structural frame with masonry infill. Tilt-Up also ensured a high degree of accuracy since it was possible to determine reference points for the panels in order to get the exact curvature of the panels.
This project presented several unique construction challenges. Since there was insufficient space to cast all the columns on the traffic circle, an area of vacant land was used as a casting bed. Site scaffolding was used to create casting platforms more than 2 meters in height, and all the columns were cast on these elevated platforms. The entrance feature was comprised of two U-shaped walls that face each other. These walls were unique because the bottom of one was straight while the top was curved in and out and vice versa on the other wall. A flat lift with mid-air rotation was necessary because a conventional lift would have generated stress points on the panel. One crane was used to lift the panel horizontally and a second crane transferred the panel to an edge life during a mid-air transfer.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Lowden & Associates
VILLAGES CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING–
• 56,716-SQUARE-FOOT EDUCATIONAL FACILITY IN THE VILLAGES, FLA. •
• SUBMITTED BY THE HASKELL COMPANY OF JACKSONVILLE, FLA. •
Designed to match the architectural theme of other Villages schools, this facility has a high level of finishes with three-story open thin brick Tilt-Up panels that provide the focal point of the main administration/classroom building. Tilt-Up was selected for the project because the method allowed the design-builder to provide unique thin brick detailing without affecting the schedule, and it provided structural integrity at a lower cost.
Incorporating and coordinating the extensive amount of thin brick and the related details from panel to panel was one of the main challenges of this project. The thin brick is carried to the back side of the Tilt-Up panels to give the appearance of solid brick piers and arches. The color scheme and architectural treatments were very traditional in nature and include red brick with a red tile roof, beige wall surface, green shutters and white molding profiles, window frames and mullions. A two-story media center with two-story glazing overlooks the campus quad, and the three-story atrium at the school entrance carries the exterior architectural theme into the building interior. To add appeal to the facility, the Tilt-Up panels have inset precast elements with a scripted “V” that stands for The Villages. The use of thin brick and Tilt-Up allowed the school to have the architectural look and long-term durability that they desired in a cost-effective manner.
PACIIC SUNWEAR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS-
• 480,000-SQUARE-FOOT WAREHOUSE AND OFFICE FACILITY IN ANAHEIM, CALIF. •
• SUBMITTED BY KRAMER AND LAWSON, INC. OF TUSTIN, CALIF. •
As a clothing retailer, Pacific Sunwear is extremely image conscious, and its corporate headquarters must provide a suitable first impression to clothing vendors. However, since the company’s new three-story office building was to be located in California’s seismic zone 4, there were significant design challenges. Taller Tilt-Up buildings such as this require thicker walls, resulting in more seismic mass. Further, the size of the Pacific Sunwear Corporate Headquarters dictated fire resistive construction incorporating concrete over metal deck floors, which provided a quality first-class floor system. In this project, seismic challenges were met by aligning the panel joints directly over the window center to maintain wall pier integrity while maximizing the vision glass area. The resulting 5-foot-wide wall piers allowed the panels to remain relatively thin at 10 inches while providing the necessary seismic strength and reduced reinforcement congestion. To minimize the seismic mass of the building, nearly all the HVAC equipment was located at grade separate from the building, which left the roof seismically lighter.
Using a series of stepped-back terraces mixed with an overhanging glazing system, the entry provides a strong statement yet still at a human scale. The dramatic interior lobby is two stories of full-height glazing welcoming indirect light from the north. The main entry element is a radius metal panel and blue reflective glass. Flanking this entry is a series of stepped-down balconies that bring the three-story entry back down to scale. First floor glass windows are set back with small concrete returns giving the appearance of thick wall pier elements. A winner of California Construction magazine’s “Best of California” distinction, the attractive building skin provided by the metal panel, glass curtain wall and Tilt-Up concrete orchestration has won praise by the owner and all involved.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Oltmans Construction Company
PROLOGIS PARK 70 BUILDING #2
• 283,666-SQUARE-FOOT WAREHOUSE/DISTRIBUTION FACILITY IN AURORA, COLO. •
• SUBMITTED BY MONROE AND NEWELL ENGINEERS, INC. OF DENVER, COLO. •
Providing a state-of-the-art distribution facility in a timely and economical manner were the main goals for this project. The prime location for the facility offers optimum highway accessibility, which required visual appeal. Tilt-Up was selected for its cost of construction, ability to provide an interior clear height of 32 feet and the reduced maintenance over the life of the building. The project was completed on a 185-day construction schedule including all weather delays, which was exceptional given the size of the building and site work required.
To de-emphasize the typical box look associated with Tilt-Up construction, an innovative erection procedure was used for the panels that offers cornices and wing walls. The sandwich panel wing walls at the office entries required panels to be at an angle until the secondary panel was set, and then the panels could be brought together.
The framing and erection of the cornice panels also required special effort because the cornice panel cross-section was a trapezoid and required special forming. Because of the weight of the cornice panels, the roof diaphragm had to be in place prior to setting the panels; however, part of the roof diaphragm was supported by the cornice panels. This necessitated that the entire erection of the roof diaphragm, and the cornice panels were closely coordinated so that the bottom panels were not overloaded. Additional architectural features included extra reveals and the ProLogis signature logo on the facility. The project was awarded Colorado Construction magazine’s Silver Hard Hat Award in September 2005.
APFFELS COFFEE WAREHOUSE BUILDING-
• 90,418-SQUARE-FOOT WAREHOUSE/DISTRIBUTION FACILITY IN LOS ANGELES. •
• SUBMITTED BY CTS CEMENT MANUFACTURING CORP. | RAPID SET® OF CYPRESS, CALIF. •
Needing to vacate their current facility because of an eminent domain matter, this owner selected Tilt-Up because it was shown to minimize the total cost and construction time. The most challenging aspect of this unique project was the owner’s desire to achieve flawless recessed artwork in the panels. The goal of the unique artwork was to capture the same Art Deco era feel as the company’s previous facility that was constructed in the 1940s. But, the artwork – created by hand-carved foam – had to be sandblasted without destroying the finer aspects of the work. The panels were poured directly over the foam, so that the detailed artwork was cast directly into the concrete. The painted exterior and textural stucco offset the smooth glassy look of the panels that feature the WunderFixx® product. Textured EIFS columns and recessed chevrons on the roof of the building added architectural appeal.
EMULEX CORPORATE CAMPUS-
• 480,000-SQUARE-FOOT WAREHOUSE/DISTRIBUTION FACILITY IN ANAHEIM, CALIF. •
• SUBMITTED BY OLTMANS CONSTRUCTION CO. OF WHITTIER, CALIF. •
Needing additional space quickly, the owner selected Tilt-Up for this facility because of its speed of construction and cost-effectiveness. The contractor employed widely regarded concrete installation techniques using laser-guided equipment to deliver a structurally solid building in earthquake prone southern California. The unique infrastructure of the buildings included specialized cabling for the lab and the acoustic ceilings that needed to reduce noise and vibration from equipment. It was important to increase some base flooring and wall depth in order to help keep the disruptions from the computer equipment minimized. Another challenge was deciding how everything was going to be cabled for both power and the networks. The result was a sophisticated cabling system that kept cables out of the way while making it easy for engineers to connect, disconnect and move equipment within the complex as needed.
The primary color palette of blue, caramel, gold and black was utilized in all aspects of the project. A dramatic glass curtain wall framed by the offset eastern façades of the other two buildings marks the main entry lobby. Floor-to-ceiling glass-enclosed walkways connect the buildings and 9-foot ceilings with floor-to-ceiling windows create a dramatic effect.
HUNT VALLEY TOWNE CENTRE-
• 280,000-SQUARE-FOOT RETAIL FACILITY IN HUNT VALLEY, MD. •
• SUBMITTED BY CHESAPEAKE CONTRACTING GROUP, INC. OF REISTERSTOWN, MD. •
Although the former Hunt Valley Mall was an underperforming enclosed retail center, it boasted an excellent location. As such, the decision was made to demolish the center section of the existing structure, retaining the grade change and the major east and west anchors to redevelop the site as a lifestyle mall. The owner wanted the redeveloped section of the mall visually to link the existing upper and lower level parking areas. This was accomplished by providing an upper level outdoor dining plaza overlooking the activity of the lower Main Street level. Further, the two-level retail village was designed to encourage pedestrian circulation through both levels with the use of interconnected vertical systems. Needing to appeal to a variety of local and national tenants while still being economical, Tilt-Up allowed the facility to be built under tight time constraints, affordably and with flexible design. Maintaining the alignment and location of the walls and features required constant quality control. The floor-to-floor elevations had to meet the building elevations of the existing adjacent structures and the limited space to cast the large panels required excellent coordination.
To create architectural appeal, the facility utilized a variety of architectural treatments, including thin and regular brick, Eldorado Stone, ground face block, EIFS, and textured paints in a variety of colors. Additional architectural features include an arched sign panel with a void below at the skylight area as well as pediments and arched top panels at buildings. The project consists of one and two structures with a variety of shapes, materials and a unique array of colors that combined to cre- ate a distinctive retail center. The revitalized facility includes an additional 280,000 square feet of new retail, service and entertainment space to the community.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Precision Concrete Construction
SEMINOLE PARADISE-
• 200,000-SQUARE-FOOT RETAIL FACILITY IN HOLLYWOOD, FLA. •
• SUBMITTED BY JOHNSON STRUCTURAL GROUP, INC. OF DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. •
Tilt-Up was selected for this 10-building project for its speed of delivery and ability to provide the architect’s vision within the budget constraints. Although the complex consisted of several buildings with a common theme, each building has its own unique features. The sequencing of construction necessitated that work began on one end of the site and worked to the other. To keep the construction pace, the contractor would prepare the floor slabs for the buildings ahead of the construction process to use them as casting beds for adjacent buildings.
With a Southwestern theme, cream colors with tile inlay and blue and red colored accents were used. Tile accents were used at the walkway and along the face of the panels. All of the panels along the walkway have a wainscot of sandstone formliner. Along the arched colonnade, the panel legs were thickened to provide architectural mass as well as to enable a tile inset to be placed along the arch. These thickened legs were eliminated above the soffit to reduce panel weight and facilitate lifting. Main entries on a few of the buildings feature three panels that are placed directly in front of each other, thru-bolted for stability. These panels varied in height and shape to create a substantial architectural accent. All building façades had formliners used for architectural accents. Reveals varied from simple horizontal and vertical lines to diagonal diamonds across the whole panel. One of the buildings features reveal lines that are curves and circles that wrap around the corners of the buildings and are broken by openings. The center provides an entertainment venue that complements the hotel gaming experience that is also found on the site.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Tiltcrete, L.L.C.
LIBERTY STATION, BUILDING 903-
• 63,234-SQUARE-FOOT OFFICE FACILITY IN SAN DIEGO, CALIF. •
• SUBMITTED BY KMA ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING OF SAN DIEGO, CALIF. •
Minimizing aircraft noise from the nearby international airport was an important consideration for this project and one of the primary reasons why Tilt-Up was the optimal construction method. Further, the speed of construction, durability and low maintenance cost in a marine environment made the method an attractive choice for the owner.
Adjacent to a historic district of a former military base that is being redeveloped for private use, this Class A office facility needed to be compatible with the existing 1920s architecture. To ensure this goal was met, a design was developed that incorporated elements such as arches, inset balconies, trellis and clay roof tiles. An acrylic coating was used to provide surface color and texture to the panels. The building is a light salmon color with gray accents on window reveals and sage green window mullions. Ceramic tile banding, arched windows, expressed columns with reveals, a wood trellis and the clay tile roof add architectural appeal to the facility while maintaining the area’s existing look.
CROWN CORPORATE CENTER-
• 480,000-SQUARE-FOOT OFFICE PARK IN SACRAMENTO, CALIF. •
• SUBMITTED BY LPA SACRAMENTO, INC. OF SACRAMENTO, CALIF.•
This corporate office complex consists of five Tilt-Up buildings ranging in size from two to four stories. The site is at the crossing of two major interstate freeways, so the buildings were designed to take advantage of this exposure. Large-scale gestures break up the mass of the buildings and can be applied to the buildings even though they are of varying size. The four-story building was designed as a ductile moment frame system that allowed for a large amount of glass for the office floors, which provide natural light and views of the landscape. The 14-inch thick panels for this facility add to the sound insulation from the adjacent freeway. This building also features an aluminum-clad overhang on the top level that provides solar protection for the offices and creates a distinctive architectural identity when viewed from the freeway.
The design approach for these buildings was to design the basic Tilt-Up panel carefully and to maximize the area of vision glass within the structural limitations. Spandrel glass was used to add visual appearance. Tilt-Up enabled special architectural features at the entries that include two-story lobbies, glass curtain wall, accent walls of natural slate and a recessed wall of punched windows that provide a strong accent color and contrast with the typical panels. These elements help to break up the typical box into an interesting composition of interlocking volumes with varying window patterns, materials and colors. Nearly fully leased, the project has gained recognition, including an American Institute of Architects (AIA) Merit Award, because of the unique use of Tilt-Up and architectural design.
ST. SARKIS ARMENIAN CHURCH-
• 15,000-SQUARE-FOOT SPIRITUAL BUILDING IN CHARLOTTE, N.C.•
• SUBMITTED BY SERETTA CONSTRUCTION OF APOPKA, FLA. •
A dream come true for this congregation, this facility utilized Tilt-Up because of the method’s ability to provide a faux stone finish, lower construction cost and the thermal efficiency of the insulated Tilt-Up panels. The congregation wanted to have the exterior of the church match tuffa stone that is native to Armenia. A true stone building would have doubled the cost of construction, and an EIFS solution would not have provided the desired durability. The more than 10,000 feet of reveals create decorative patterns in the concrete that mimic a stone building. Lining up the reveals from panel to panel to give the building the stone look was essential in keeping the symmetrical patterns that give the church its unique stone finish.
In order to minimize drilling and cutting of the concrete, boxes for electrical wiring devices were installed in the panels during the casting process. In addition to the wiring boxes, all electric features, switches, lights and alarms were placed into the panels to avoid cutting them into the panels, which saved the congregation time and money. Located on a tight site, casting beds took up much of the construction location so precise coordination of the casting bed placement and the panel erection sequence was necessary. Two inches of insulation placed in the panel create an R-11 value, which will minimize operating costs for the church. The interior sides of the panels were exposed concrete and finished with a flecked hard- trowel finish, avoiding costs associated with interior metal studs, insulation and gypsum board.
The congregation is extremely pleased with the outcome of the project. The church features a sanctuary, family life center, utilities for an upcoming kitchen, an office area and a classroom area.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Kirco Construction (NC), L.L.C., Stephens Architectural Associates, Elkins Engineering, Inc.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF INDIAN ROCKS-
• 60,000-SQUARE-FOOT SPIRITUAL BUILDING IN LARGO, FLA. •
• SUBMITTED BY SERETTA CONSTRUCTION OF APOPKA, FLA.•
With a growing congregation, the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks wanted a 3,000- seat sanctuary with major audio and video performance enhancements. In order to tackle the limited site access and extensive underground utilities, coordination with multiple trades for the casting layout of the Tilt-Up panels was necessary. Careful planning was also needed to place the deadmen without interfering with the casting and lifting of the panels. Constructed during a particularly active hurricane season, three hurricanes passed through the area after the panels were placed and braced, waiting for the structural steel to be installed.
The exterior Tilt-Up walls used 23,000 feet of horizontal reveals and numerous recesses to create the look the owners desired. After the walls were erected and the outer portion of the building was complete, the exterior was painted with accenting neutral colors to give the church a dramatic appearance. The most striking feature of the facility is the stainless-steel cross that is attached to two panels and stands 80 feet above the floor. The back of the sanctuary is on a segmented radius, which gives the illusion of a curvilinear building.
Other TCA Member Involvement: TLC Engineering
ST. JULIA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH-
• 11,000-SQUARE-FOOT SPIRITUAL BUILDING IN SILER CITY, N.C. •
• SUBMITTED BY CENTURION CONSTRUCTION CO. OF RALEIGH, N.C.•
Originally designed to be a load-bearing masonry facility, this building had walls with a shape and height that presented budget and constructability issues. By switching to load-bearing insulated panels, the designers had the freedom they needed to construct this facility. Presenting many bracing and erection challenges, some panel engineers and product representatives thought the project could not be done. For example, one wall of the bell tower was designed to be sloped, and traditional masonry would not allow this without expensive structural steel backup. Space was very limited on the site, so all the panels were constructed either on the floor slab or small casting beds. This solution still did not allow for enough space, so panels were stack cast and built in the proper erection sequence.
To create a visual appeal for the facility, heavy architectural reveals were used for shadow, and textured paint was used to resemble a plaster finish. Engineered wood beams and a tongue-and-groove wood ceiling in the sanctuary create a striking interior. Stained glass windows add a unique element to the facility. The bell tower is comprised of panels with one laid on the other to create the appearance that the tower is leaning. And, the use of insulated concrete panels allowed the owner to have the look they desired while receiving cost and energy savings.
PALM BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE-
• 145,000-SQUARE-FOOT EDUCATIONAL FACILITY IN LAKE WORTH, FLA. •
• SUBMITTED BY JOHNSON STRUCTURAL GROUP, INC. OF DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. •
This project is comprised of four buildings that house an education and training facility for the campus where students can take classes in trades such as automotive body repair, automotive mechanics, diesel mechanics, carpentry and sheet metal. The owner desired an unfinished interior that could withstand the rigors of everyday use in a working lab environment. To meet the tight schedule and the architect’s design intent, cast-in-place elements were used with Tilt-Up panels and columns.
Exposed concrete elements that emphasize the support of the structure created visual interest. The panels consist of reveals around the windows that enhance the mullion scheme of the windows. A louver formliner also was used on each of the buildings to accent areas that would normally be blank because of the interior function. Panels are painted with two cream colors and accented with green colored glass. Two shop buildings feature 12-inch-thick panels that provide architectural mass to these buildings. Thick panel columns were also added to the exterior of the buildings to create features and shadows. The other two buildings feature more than 70 spandrels set on both cast- in-place and Tilt-Up concrete columns. The cast-in-place columns required strict attention to finish and alignment to ensure it matched the Tilt-Up columns. A curved wall with inset glass supported by two Tilt-Up columns creates the focal point for the courtyard between the buildings.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Sunshine Specialties, Tiltcrete, L.L.C. and O’Donnell, Naccarato, Mignogna & Jackson
RUTLEDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-
• 100,478-SQUARE-FOOT EDUCATIONAL FACILITY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. •
• SUBMITTED BY AMERICAN CONSTRUCTORS, LP OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.•
Providing a new elementary school for this fast growing Austin-area suburb, the school district desired a facility that would be energy efficient, highly resistant to mold, offer at least 50 years of durability, and express the style and stature of the existing structures in the district. Tilt-Up panels were used for the bearing interior corridor walls, which reduced the structural steel required for the building by 34 percent. The site for the school was changed right before construction was to begin, and the new site had an undrillable rock layer. The soils engineer and civil engineer worked together to develop an economical redesign of the foundation system. As one of the wettest winters on record, more than 20 work days were lost to rain, but the school’s opening date remained the same. To expedite the schedule, two separate crews fabricated the panels – one on the two-story classroom wing of the school and the other on the one-story multi-purpose/cafeteria/library wing.
Responding to the district’s need for energy efficiency and low maintenance costs, the project incorporated water source heat pumps on a mechanical mezzanine. The units are sized so that each classroom has an independent air comfort supply. The exterior Tilt-Up panels also feature 2-inch-thick expanded polystyrene insulation integrally cast into the panels, which minimizes the potential for mold growth.
Architectural treatments include brick in two contrasting colors, a local standard concrete mix with river rock and gray cement that gave the effect of normal brick mortar and a medium sandblast finish on the exposed concrete brought out the rich natural tan color and sparkle of the aggregate. Each panel was unique and had to be thought out and detailed individually. Tilt-Up provided a much more durable finished wall surface. Deemed a tremendous success, the design and construction team were able to overcome the site change, foundation redesign and rain to have building completed in time for the start of the school year.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Tew Associates, L. M. Swayze Engineers & Associates and SiteCast Construction Corp.
BAY MEADOWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-
• 90,798-SQUARE-FOOT EDUCATIONAL FACILITY IN ORLANDO, FLA. •
• SUBMITTED BY TILT-CON CORPORATION OF ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FLA. •
Utilizing a unique method of panel construction to ensure the thin brick veneer would not break during pours or lifts, the placement of the form-liner and brick veneer was one of the most challenging aspects of this project. This architectural prototype design saves the school district a substantial amount of money on the overall construction of the project. The brick veneer was placed in formliners for all the panels, which required close coordination between the detailers, rod busters, and placing and finishing crews in order to minimize the extent of broken and/or dislodged bricks. The construction team was required to walk flat-footed in the panels while setting the brick and reinforcing the steel so the brick would not crack beneath their weight.
Architectural treatments include a variety of different colored bricks with band pattern and accents, Endicott tile, and coppertone and rose blend colors. By utilizing thin brick, the design team was able to achieve the look of a traditional brick schoolhouse. The color plays with a more creative use of pattern and is very unique. To create support and interest for the project, the design and construction team held an event that centered on the lifting of the panels in order to showcase the new school and how utilizing Tilt-Up helps the school save on construction costs without sacrificing quality.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Burton Braswell Middlebrooks Associates, Inc.
PARK RIDGE MEDICAL CENTER-
• 44,000-SQUARE-FOOT INSTITUTIONAL FACILITY IN LONE TREE, COLO. •
• SUBMITTED BY INTERGROUP ARCHITECTS OF LITTLETON, COLO.•
Located on a very small and awkward site that has a steep slope, the Park Ridge Medical Center is a three-story spec building that needed to accommodate a diverse range of tenants. Therefore, it was crucial that costs were saved on the core and shell construction, in order for funds to be utilized for tenant finishes. Although the owners were unfamiliar with Tilt-Up, they selected the method for this project because of its cost-effectiveness, speed of construction, durability and ability to achieve the desired aesthetics.
Wanting the building to be different than other Tilt-Up projects, the architect chose a design that eliminated the typical vertical panel joints at the corners. This was achieved by mitering inside and outside corners and incorporating an integral 90-degree return-corner panels. By utilizing a 1-foot, 6-inch-thin leg at the three-story panels, large punch windows were incorporated into the design to capture Front Range views. The building uses the site cast Tilt-Up walls to support a large porte cochere. Tilt-Up also offers a very clean connection to the building for the roof assembly, and the opposite end is supported by large tapering Tilt-Up columns that typically would be cast-in-place or precast. Natural stone veneer inlays are recessed into the panels, which maximize the pedestrian level visual appeal. Additional architectural features include simple reveals and building up of color, recessing the panels above the third floor windows to create a shadow line and additional depth in the exterior façade, as well as an entry crown of steel that is supported by the Tilt-Up panels and would have been prohibitive with conventional construction methods. The columns on the exterior create the depth of a conventional steel frame building, which make the structure look less boxy.
All of these enhancements proved successful. The architectural control committee initially did not favor Tilt-Up construction, but they were so pleased with the results that they would like to see more Tilt-Up buildings in the office park. Tilt-Up allowed the owner to allot additional funds to the tenant finishes and have the facility 80 percent leased when the first caisson was drilled.
Other TCA Member Involvement: CAL Construction
CITY OF WOODLAND POLICE HEADQUARTERS-
• 52,300-SQUARE-FOOT INSTITUTIONAL FACILITY IN WOODLAND, CALIF. •
• SUBMITTED BY INNOVATIVE BRICK SYSTEMS, LLC OF BROOMFIELD, COLO. •
As one of the nation’s first police facilities to be accepted for current review by the U.S. Green Building Council for LEED Silver Certification, the Woodland Police Headquarters effectively utilized materials, space and light, which reduced ongoing energy costs by 30 to 40 percent. It was crucial that the facility used a brick façade to match the existing architecture of the community. As such, the MBrick Versa Liner provided the seamless and covered joint look that closely resembles the look provided by a mason, yet at a much lower cost. The exterior arched accents and brick veneer finish were utilized to reflect the city’s architecture and to blend in with the historic rail yard that is nearby. Tilt-Up was chosen for the facility because of its ability to provide enhanced explosion resistance of exterior walls and meet the tight construction schedule.
The design required sophisticated blending of several construction elements including exposed steel framework on the interior, Tilt- Up wall exterior, secure sally port detention access and high degrees of natural light. The distinctive “glass eyebrow” design at the roof level allows natural light transmission all the way to the lower floor through an atrium opening. A tremendous success for spearheading the downtown community’s revitalization program, the project also was the winner of the PCBC 2005 Gold Nugget Awards Grand Award for Best Sustainable Commercial/Non-Residential Project category.
PALLADIUM THEATER-
• 49,540-SQUARE-FOOT COMMERCIAL FACILITY IN HIGH POINT, N.C. •
• SUBMITTED BY CITADEL CONTRACTORS OF APEX, N.C.•
This project marks a milestone, because it used Tilt- Up for the entire facility to provide the owners with reduced costs, shorter schedule, increased durability and better sound control. The size of the facility required multiple stack castings in an unusual environment where all the demising walls were Tilt-Up. Focused on the entrance, the exterior architecture is a mix of fine coatings, trimmed box offices, curved canopy, arched inlaid brick and glass. The front entrance utilized thin brick set into a series of arches, which required four arched panels set front-to-back with a half-inch joint. The largest curved panel weighed 131,670 pounds. It has proven to be a popular destination and Tilt-Up achieved what the architect wanted.
JET ENGINE TEST CELL FOR PRATT & WHITNEY V2500 ENGINES-
• 10,770-SQUARE-FOOT SPECIAL PROJECT IN CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND. •
• SUBMITTED BY ALAN REAY CONSULTANTS LIMITED OF CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND. •
As the first Tilt-Up jet engine test cell in the world, this project required special coordination among the client, engineer, architect, electrical engineer and jet engine specialists. Originally designed as in in-situ concrete project, this project was adapted to Tilt-Up, resulting in a 10 percent cost savings and an eight-week time savings. The facility needed to have 20-inch-thick solid walls that would be able to withstand exploding jet aircraft engines. Accurate design, construction and design supervision were required because no repairs are allowed to internal surfaces. The overall structure needs to achieve acoustic noise reduction to meet environmental, health and safety legal requirements. Further, the facility’s dynamic response was required to avoid resonant response with the jet engines’ low frequency noise-induced vibration.
Bold diagonal, vertical and horizontal external rebating was utilized together with paint to alter the form of the utilitarian nature of the building. The diagonal rebating crossing several vertically aligned panels required careful detailing and construction to enable the alignment to be achieved. Curved roof forms were cast into the concrete walls. Tilt-Up enabled the project to be completed on time while meeting the other extensive requirements.
G. A. WRIGHT-
• 73,716-SQUARE-FOOT MANUFACTURING/INDUSTRIAL FACILITY IN DENVER, COLO. •
• SUBMITTED BY INTERGROUP ARCHITECTS OF LITTLETON, COLO. •
Tilt-Up was selected for this project because of its low maintenance properties, attractive look and cost-effectiveness. One of the main challenges for this project was to meet the requirements of three design review committees while designing a very cost-effective project. Architectural treatments include an extensive reveal pattern and 1.5-inch recesses at the corners, two different glazing colors and interlocking blocks of color. A dramatic entryway was cre- ated through the use of projecting, angled corner glazing. Features such as varying window sizes, butt-glazed corner windows and steel detailing at corner entries add visual appeal to the facility. This unique project is a highly visible Tilt-Up facility with a distinctive fenestration pattern and paint scheme.
CONGRESS COMMERCE CENTER-
• 208,323-SQUARE-FOOT WAREHOUSE/DISTRIBUTION FACILITY IN DELRAY BEACH, FLA. •
• SUBMITTED BY KENNETH R. CARLSON – ARCHITECT, P.A. OF DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. •
With the goal of designing and developing a mixed industrial/retail park that would meld into the urban fabric of the city, the design team was challenged to create an attractive building that would be the gateway to the downtown area from the west. The planning department required that the building, which has more than 1,000 linear feet of road frontage, “have character and movement.” As such, the incorporation of towers, portals, arcades, bowed balconies, guard rails, sign panel inserts, applied cantilevered panels, and a variation of recessed elements and shapes allowed for the development of the building’s character. The towers, bowed balconies, medallions, Bahamas shutters and large stand-off Tilt-Up panels creating a covered arcade invite the public to shop while they are sheltered from the sun and elements. Tilt-Up was selected for this project because the multiple repetitive shapes and patterns used in the design allowed for consistency of design and construction methodology throughout the seven buildings. Tilt-Up also provided durability as well as crisp edges and smooth panel faces.
To take emphasis off the building’s immense length, towers and portals with unique reveal patterns were used to accentuate the building’s verticality. The bold color scheme combined with the architectural elements creates the movement in the building’s façades. Further, the bowed balconies, deep reveals and sun shading devices add drama to the design that was desired by both the owner and the city. Cantilevered panels create a three-dimensional parapet along the main façade, and secondary entrances were given similar emphasis via “tongue and groove” type panels along the parapet. Ninety percent leased prior to the completion of construction, the project has received numerous awards including the Gold Coast Builders Association 2005 PRISM Gold Award for Architecture for a Commercial Project and the City of Delray Beach Community Appearance Award for Best New Industrial Development 2004. The buildings are being used as a guideline for future Tilt-Up commercial and industrial projects in the city.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Woodland Construction Corp., and Johnson Structural Group
STAPLETON BUSINESS CENTER BUILDING D-4-
• 360,000-SQUARE-FOOT WAREHOUSE/DISTRIBUTION IN DENVER, COLO. •
• SUBMITTED BY CAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OF LAKEWOOD, COLO.•
Located at the main entry to a business park right off a major freeway, this facility serves as the gateway to the park, which made curb appeal extremely important. The design utilizes four large curved walls at the corners. Each wall ends with a flying panel separated from the rest of the building by a glass wall. The curved wall is segmented for speed of panel forming. Double-sided panels give the back side a finished look with substantial thickness. The steel/aluminum entry canopy pierces the last segment of the curve, which required close coordination between the steel and concrete panel during design and erection. The building was erected in two phases to enable other trades to work while panel casting continued to ensure the fast-track schedule was met.
All four corner entries feature a segmented arched entry that utilizes eight 9-foot, 8-inch-wide panels with beveled edges that were placed on the radius segment. Each entry also has a double-faced freestanding panel with double-faced spandrel panels bearing on those panels and pilasters poured on the segmented panels. Rooftop screening was a major concern because of the project’s close location to the highway. Screening was accomplished by using taller parapet panels and pouring stand up return legs on several panels.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Peak Engineering
CAMINO AL NORTE BUSINESS CENTER-
• 49,000-SQUARE-FOOT WAREHOUSE/DISTRIBUTION FACILITY IN NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEV. •
• SUBMITTED BY JD CONSTRUCTION, INC. OF HENDERSON, NEV. •
The Camino Al Norte Business Center is a two-story 49,000-square-foot office complex featuring an innovative design for which concrete was more suitable than other forms of construction. Step-down wing walls, 20 inches thick, create attractive detail and accent the terrace patios on the five-sided building. The concrete radius entry with individual panels that reach 35 feet in height is enhanced by curtain wall glass construction as a backdrop and create an impressive visual impact. With the goal of providing a high-quality commercial development for the city of North Las Vegas, the facility offers two-inch beveled reveals, decorative caps, radius patio areas and front entries. The pop-outs create a striking visual effect for the facility.
Tilt-Up was selected for this project because the method could provide the architectural capabilities the owner wanted. One of the greatest challenges was the width and total overall weight of the panels, but the uncompromised attention to detail on this building has gained the attention of city officials, local developers, and design team professionals across the country. This building exemplifies the concept of design and the execution of expert craftsmanship.
MATHER COMMERCE CENTER/SACRAMENTO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION-
• 72,600-SQUARE-FOOT OFFICE FACILITY IN SACRAMENTO, CALIF. •
• SUBMITTED BY LPA SACRAMENTO, INC. OF SACRAMENTO, CALIF.•
The first phase of a six building, planned corporate office campus, this facility utilized Tilt-Up because of its ease, economy of construction and aesthetic possibilities. With a strong appreciation for mod- ern architecture, the client wanted a contemporary building that would create a strong identity for the development. As such, an architectural concept for the building was developed that incorporates the mass into interlocking volumes and voids. This composition is achieved using two different Tilt-Up panel types and window treatments to show differentiation between the volumes and break up the boxy appearance associated with Tilt-Up. New methods and techniques were developed in the casting process to create a unique finish for the panels.
The facility is composed of two different types of panels that vary in height, finish, texture, window composition and color. One set of panels was left raw, right out of the casting bed and was designed to resemble cast-in-place concrete with snap-tie holes and panel joints cast into the panels. The other set of panels, which are painted, are carefully composed with deep reveals, formliner texture and color that coincides with the pattern of the aluminum window system. A recessed inset of aluminum extends from the windows into the Tilt-Up panel tying the two together. Locations where the two volumes come together define entries into the building that are highlighted by two-story lobbies, glass-enclosed staircases and metal canopies.
The Tilt-Up panels that were left raw to resemble cast-in-place concrete required extraordinary skill and care in order to create the correct finish and cast-in snap-tie holes and panel joints. Treated sheets of MDF were screwed down to the casting bed with gaps in between to achieve the desired look. These panels feature continuous ribbon windows that wrap around corners of the building. Where the raw panels meet the joining volume of the rest of the building, the ends are left freestanding to further emphasize the cast-in- place look. At the main entry, the raw Tilt-Up panels frame a glass-enclosed stair and span across the entry defining the lobby.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Comstock Johnson Architects
NATIONWIDE INSURANCE-
• 70,000-SQUARE-FOOT OFFICE FACILITY IN SACRAMENTO, CALIF. •
• SUBMITTED BY PANATTONI CONSTRUCTION, INC. OF SACRAMENTO, CALIF.•
This three-story administrative office building completes the Nationwide Health Plans campus that is situated on the corner of a busy intersection. The undeveloped site, identified as infill, is surrounded by many types of architecture, which created a challenge for the design team regarding which direction to take. As such, the team embarked on a programming study that provided clues for the facility’s organization of spaces, relationships, massing and articulation of its exterior form. The interior layout creates an efficient and collaborative relationship of work teams with central access to data, files and management by locating all resources within a common core zone while strategically placing offices, workstations and conference areas.
Creating a strong overall image that complements the owner’s standing in the industry, the design theme is rich in geometric shapes that create a Mondrian effect that is further enhanced by a rich palette of materials, textures and colors. The building consists of two olive and wheat concrete cubes – one of which is gently rotated – linked by a blue-green tinted glass mass wrapped in a grid of silver anodized aluminum that announces the building’s primary entrance. The building skin is a combination of textured site-cast concrete panels with punched openings and a tinted glass curtain wall system. The rhythm of the punched openings is emphasized using horizontal and vertical reveals, which are further articulated by the use of silver glazing that surrounds the window openings. A three-story high, skewed tinted glass curtain wall façade is the building’s main feature. The glass in the curtain wall is a blue-green color that contrasts with the bronze glass used in the punched openings. A silver marquee and vertical trim set up the grid of silver mullions to create the strong Mondrian geometric pattern.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Integrated Design Group.
ONE HAMBURG PLACE-
• 75,000-SQUARE-FOOT OFFICE FACILITY IN LEXINGTON, KY. •
• SUBMITTED BY CON/STEEL TILT-UP SYSTEMS OF DAYTON, OHIO. •
Located at the main entrance of a new development, this facility needed to make a statement since multistory Tilt-Up construction was relatively new to this market. A radius casting bed was used to form true radius wall panels. To create butt corner cuts at building corners, the contractor formed panels with a steel corner tube embedded and a temporary concrete leg in the window opening. To add architectural appeal to the facility, “knife edge” panels with recessed returns were utilized at the corners to create dramatic shadow lines. At some of the building corners, panels were cast with temporary panel legs that were sawed off after erection, which allowed the glass to appear continuous around the corners. A simple tan base paint color with dark brown accents was used to dramatize the design features of the panel. The various architectural components give the illusion of a different building when viewed from different angles. The project was so successful that design for a second facility is now underway.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Miller-Valentine Group and LJB Inc.
GREENDALE CINEMAS-
• 33,500-SQUARE-FOOT COMMERCIAL FACILITY IN LAWRENCEBURG, IND. •
• SUBMITTED BY STEVEN SCHAEFER ASSOCIATES, INC. OF CINCINNATI, OHIO. •
Desiring a cost-effective and durable facility, the owner of this cinema project selected Tilt-Up because the method allows for intricate architectural features, the panels could be erected quickly and efficiently, and the life-cycle costs were low. The layout of the horizontal-spanning, movie-reel themed main entry panels was very intricate. Close coordination with the architect and the panel erector was necessary due to the detailed architectural requirements and the massive size of the panels. The large lateral loads necessitated the use of a vertical strong back column that was integrated with the interior design. The intricate panel layout included recessed film strip panels along the front elevation of the building in addition to the complicated rustication pattern on all elevations. At visible corners along the front façade, mitered panel joints were incorporated to minimize the number of visible joints. Large door openings in each of the three skewed main entry Tilt-Up panels required heavily-reinforced narrow columns on both sides of each door and the tops of these panels were braced by the low roof framing that continued beyond the envelope of the building out to a large semicircular canopy. Since this project is a fly-ash disposal site from a nearby power plant, careful consideration of the geotechnical requirements was required by the project team, including strict requirements for soil settlement prior to the commencement of any construction activities and the careful installation of foundations to minimize the chance of large settlements. Some panels were stack-cast because of the limited size of the building footprint.
Architectural treatments included a 35-foot-tall movie reel around the main entry that is visible from the nearby highway and horizontal ribbons depicting an actual movie film spanning across the front of the building. The bright and distinctive gold and maroon with gray accents color scheme attracts attention. The front elevation of the movie theater includes the top half of the 70-foot diameter movie reel, including four windows in the movie reel. The panel spans 48 feet horizontally. The front entry doors are recessed within the envelope of the building using diagonal offset panels. Each side of the main entry is flanked by two 4-foot-wide by 2-foot-deep faux columns that extend above the main entry. These columns are three-sided Tilt-Up columns that are laterally braced to the adjacent Tilt-Up panels. The cinema’s revenue for the first three months of operation has exceeded budget projections and the facility has garnered tremendous praise from the local community.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Maxwell Construction
CORNERSTONE II-
• 113,700-SQUARE-FOOT OFFICE FACILITY IN PLANTATION, FLA. •
• SUBMITTED BY TILT-CON CORPORATION OF ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FLA.•
An extremely intricate process was used to construct this five-story facility. Construction began by lifting two sheer interior wall panels into place, each three stories high, to provide a more rigid structure to the building. An epoxy rebar system that had rebar coming out of the three-story system had to match up to the sleeves in the panels that would be erected later during the install. After the three-story panels were erected, the steel contractor installed the columns, beams and third floor deck. The contractor then poured the third floor concrete, which was followed by the erection of the second lift. An additional 15 panels, measuring 18 feet by 26 feet and weighing 60,000 pounds each, were lifted into place by a crane to add the fourth and fifth stories.
Curtain wall features on the corners, front and rear of the building add visual appeal to the structure. The large glass area and specialty splatter coat that emulates stone are striking. A creamy neutral color scheme complements the existing facilities. Although the project was constructed during the fall in which Florida experienced an unprecedented four hurricanes, no panels were lost or damaged because of the contractor’s bracing expertise and attention to detail during preparation for the storm.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Steinbicker & Associates, Inc.
FRANKLIN PARK MEDICAL CENTER-
• 49,000-SQUARE-FOOT INNOVATIVE APPLICATION TECHNIQUE WINNER IN SPOKANE, WASH. •
• SUBMITTED BY DIVCON, INC. OF SPOKANE, WASH. •
Located on six small residential lots across the street from a hospital and an elementary school at the corner of two minor arterials, this site had extremely limited access. The design of the building included a basement level parking garage that was 12 feet below the elevation of the street and 15 feet behind the curb. Keeping the safety of workers paramount, the Tilt-Up basement walls were cast on a sloping broom finished basement floor and erected so that no worker had to go behind the wall and risk a collapse of the excavation at the road. The walls were cast high enough so they formed the edge form of the first floor structural slab. The basement parking garage extended 20 feet past the south edge of the building. This meant that the south Tilt-Up wall face had to bear on a beam line.
The floor and beam structure was designed using post-tensioned beams running one direction with 6-inch-wide by 24-inch-deep cast-in-place concrete joists in the other direction. Lite-deck foam forms were utilized for the joists that spanned up to 44 feet. After the floor was cast, it was used as the casting area for all of the upper walls.
With 24,500 square feet of gross wall area and only 12,000 square feet of floor area, the panels had to be cast two to three high. Slab deflection during casting, brace point location and fall protection all added to the complexity of the task. Immediately after erecting the main panels, the fourth floor deck was installed and the roof framed. Since many people were exposed to falls at the building’s perimeter, sleeves were cast into the top of the panels to receive dowels and cattle gates. The gates went up with the panels and formed the structure for fall protection systems. A radius surrounds all punched openings and embedded thin brick add to the appeal of the facility. This project demonstrates how complexities can be mitigated by utilizing Tilt-Up.
Other TCA Member Involvement: DCI Engineers
CHAMPION MOTORS AUDI DEALERSHIP-
• 50,311-SQUARE-FOOT RETAIL FACILITY IN CORAL SPRINGS, FLA. •
• SUBMITTED BY WOODLAND CONSTRUCTION OF JUPITER, FLA. •
Desiring a facility that offered a striking showroom with expansive use of glass, the owner wanted to create an attractive high-end auto dealership. The Tilt-Up spine of the showroom allows the facility to meet the wind loads, while providing the architectural look the owners desired. Interior Tilt-Up panels separate the service area and the garden showroom, and a cantilevered mezzanine walk-way interacts with the Tilt-Up panels. The facility marries Tilt-Up and precast double-tees to create an extremely durable structure.
The garden showroom boasts extensive vegetation and plant life to create a unique atmosphere that is possible through the expansive use of glass. The white color scheme with gray accents complements the corporate image that Audi has set forth for its dealerships. Giant spandrel panels are located between the showroom and the roof to create visual appeal and the exposed barrel truss roof system adds another architectural element. A textured coating and intricately colored concrete on the floor area further add to the appeal of the dealership. The largest Audi dealership in the world, Champion Audi adds a high-end dealership to the area. This design would not have been possible without Tilt-Up because the use of the method as the spine of the building enabled the structure to meet stringent Florida building codes.
Other TCA Member Involvement: Burton Braswell Middlebrooks Associates, Inc. and Permit Engineering Services
BLUE OAKS CORPORATE CENTER-
• 97,000-SQUARE-FOOT OFFICE FACILITY IN ROSEVILLE, CALIF. •
• SUBMITTED BY BUNTAIN CONSTRUCTION, INC. OF SACRAMENTO, CALIF. •
For this complex project, close coordination with the architect and structural engineers was necessary to ensure that design objectives were completed accurately. Since construction occurred during the winter months, the contractor was required to dry up the site chemically to maintain a timely building schedule. A foam cornice around the perimeter and on the tops of all panels adds visual appeal to the building. Mirrored blue glazing was used on the storefront glass to creating a striking entrance. Reveal lines carry the glass pattern around the building to create a unique finish. The interior offers several attractive features including stairs and walls that are trimmed with cherry wood as well as a coffered ceiling and 1-foot by 6-inch columns on center wrapped with Wilsonart in the main entryway. Curved metal awnings over the entryway doors and colored stamped concrete at the building’s entry and driveways add additional architectural appeal. Tilt-Up enabled this facility to be transformed into a unique office.
