Metrocrest Services Headquarters

Summarize the project's program, features and achievements?

The Metrocrest Services Headquarters in Carrollton, TX, is a cutting-edge example of innovative construction. It seamlessly combines functional design, architectural creativity, and community-focused amenities. This two-story, 46,000-square-foot facility serves as the central hub for Metrocrest Services, an organization dedicated to providing comprehensive support services to individuals and families in need. The building includes offices, meeting rooms, a warehouse, cooler/freezer units, and a client service area designed to resemble a grocery store, all aimed at enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency.

Architecturally, the project stands out for its innovative use of tilt-up concrete panels, which are prominently featured both externally and internally. This approach provides structural integrity and contributes to the building's aesthetic appeal. A key architectural highlight is the centrally located skylight, where panels are slanted and directionally angled to align with the plane of the skylight and adjacent walls. This complex feature required four different panels to align perfectly on the same plane, showcasing the precision and craftsmanship involved in the project.

The building's exterior features a blend of textured paint and stain finishes, cantilevered panels, embedded architectural items, and formliners, creating a visually striking façade. Using an interior post-applied insulation system ensures optimal energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Overall, the project utilized 44 panels totaling 32,051 square feet of wall panel surface area, with the largest panel measuring 1,138.5 square feet and the heaviest panel weighing 124,500 lbs.

The facility's strategic location in a high-need area enhances its accessibility and visibility, leading to a 17% increase in new clients since its opening. The headquarters supports Metrocrest's mission to provide holistic aid, offering spaces for community partner organizations that deliver complementary services such as healthcare and education. This integrated approach addresses multiple facets of poverty and self-sufficiency, fostering a supportive environment for individuals and families in crisis. The project's construction phase overcame numerous challenges, including site constraints adjacent to an occupied elementary school and a residential neighborhood. Rigorous safety measures and strategic Lean scheduling were implemented to minimize disruptions. The project also involved extensive earthwork, including demolishing an existing church and significant soil conditioning to elevate the site for proper drainage.

Despite facing these challenges, the project was finished on time and within budget. This was achieved despite being built during the wettest year in recent North Texas history and material shortages brought about by the pandemic. The project's commitment to safety is evident from the fact that there were no lost-time accidents recorded during construction. The building's design, which maximizes natural light and energy efficiency, aligns with the project team's sustainability goals.

The Metrocrest Services Headquarters showcases excellence in tilt-wall construction, blending innovative architectural design, sturdy construction techniques, and advanced engineering solutions. The project fulfills the client's requirements and greatly improves the community's access to essential services, establishing it as a landmark facility that embodies Metrocrest's mission and values.

What obstacles were overcome related to the schedule, budget, program, specification, site, etc. on this project?

The Metrocrest Services Headquarters project encountered several significant obstacles. The site's proximity to an occupied elementary school and a residential neighborhood necessitated careful planning to ensure safety and minimize disruption. The team implemented strict safety measures, coordinated delivery schedules to avoid peak school times, and managed early morning concrete placements to respect neighborhood tranquility. The project site itself presented considerable challenges. The existing church with a basement needed to be demolished, followed by extensive earthwork to elevate the site by five feet for proper drainage due to the lack of city stormwater accommodations. Excavation to a depth of ten feet below finish grade was necessary, requiring moisture-conditioning and compacting of select soils, as well as the installation of nearly 100 belled piers to support the structure.

Weather conditions added another layer of complexity. The construction took place during the wettest year in recent North Texas history, complicating scheduling and necessitating a flexible, adaptive approach to project management. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated challenges by causing material shortages and supply chain disruptions. Despite these hurdles, the project team maintained the schedule through efficient Lean resource management and proactive problem-solving.

Budget constraints were managed through careful planning and efficient use of materials and labor, ensuring high-quality construction without exceeding financial limits. The innovative design and construction techniques helped stay within budget while achieving the project's ambitious goals. Despite the numerous challenges, the team successfully met the critical completion date required for Metrocrest Services to vacate their previous facility by a specific date.

Please communicate any engineering complexities or unique features of the panel design for this project?

The Metrocrest Services Headquarters project showcases innovative engineering solutions that achieved both structural integrity and aesthetic excellence. A significant challenge was the integration of a centrally located skylight with slanted and directionally angled panels. This complex feature required precise alignment of four different panels on the same plane, with meticulously sloped top wall profiles to match the skylight's angle, resulting in a seamless and visually appealing design.

The project utilized 44 tilt-up concrete panels, totaling 32,051 square feet of wall surface area. The largest panel measured 1,138.5 square feet, while the heaviest panel weighed 124.5 kips. To achieve the desired aesthetic and structural outcomes, these panels were designed with various features, including cantilevered sections, embedded architectural elements, and formliners. Using textured paint and stain for the project's finish added an additional layer of complexity, requiring careful application to maintain consistency and quality across all panels. An interior post-applied insulation system was employed to enhance energy efficiency and thermal comfort, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable building practices. The project also addressed specific engineering challenges related to site conditions, including installing nearly 100 belled piers to support the structure. These piers were essential for managing the varying soil conditions and ensuring the building's stability.

Overall, the engineering solutions implemented in the Metrocrest Services Headquarters project showcase a high level of creativity, precision, and innovation. The successful execution of these complex features underscores the project team's expertise and dedication to delivering a high-quality, functional, and aesthetically pleasing facility.

What is the potential for this project's impact on the community and/or environment?

The Metrocrest Services Headquarters in Carrollton, TX has had a significant impact on the community. Since its opening, there has been a 17% increase in new clients accessing essential services, indicating that the building's design and location effectively reach more individuals and families in need, providing them with crucial support. The headquarters reflects Metrocrest's holistic approach to combating poverty and promoting self-sufficiency. It serves as a central hub where clients can access a range of services including food security, housing stability, employment coaching, and financial education. Additionally, the building hosts community partner organizations, making it easier for clients to access complementary services such as healthcare and education. This integrated service model addresses clients' multifaceted needs, fostering long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

The building features an interior post-applied insulation system to improve energy efficiency and strategically placed skylights to maximize natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting. These design elements not only lower energy consumption but also create a healthier and more pleasant environment for occupants. The construction process prioritized sustainability and safety, overcoming challenges such as adverse weather and pandemic-related material shortages without any lost-time accidents. The use of durable materials, including concrete tilt-up panels, ensures long-term resilience and reduced maintenance needs. The Metrocrest Services Headquarters significantly improves community access to essential services while embodying sustainability and safety principles. Its innovative design and construction set a benchmark for future projects, making it a valuable community asset.