Maplewood Center

Originally designed as a masonry project with wood siding nailed to the structure to create the desired “Key West look,” the switch to Tilt-Up with cast-in formliners provided the owner with a tremendous cost savings and more durable structure that is maintenance-free. Further, this solution created solid concrete walls with no attached siding. In a wind environment, like Florida, this is an added benefit because the owner does not have to worry about siding coming off during a hurricane.

This building had an unusual shape with towers and breezeways. The panelization of this project required extensive coordination and sequencing in order to tie in the corner tower features and covered walkways with the main building structure. The towers contained four panels, two of which cantilevered over the main building and down to the foundation with return leg sections. Once these were together, they created a cast-in-place column look inside and outside the building, as well as the structural “box” required for the overall stability of the building.

To achieve the desired Key West look, it was necessary to use cast-in formliner, which is typically only used as an accent, for the entire building. This required extensive coordination and attention to detail.

The standing seam metal roof also meets the design requirements for area and the pastel color scheme blends in with existing facilities. Around the windows, there is a solid band of color that is a few shades darker than the majority of the building’s exterior to provide a dramatic effect similar to wainscot. The towers and atypical shape break up the building and provide space for breezeways. Columns separate the retail storefronts and provide each tenant with a clear space that is their own. Further, this facility stands out from traditional “strip centers” in the area, because of the use of two-story towers.