Utah Food Bank Timpanogos Distribution Center

Summarize the project's program, features and achievements?

The new Utah Food Bank Timpanogos Distribution Center in Springville stands as a beacon of innovation and community support, epitomizing the impact of well-engineered structures on social welfare. This state-of-the-art building includes over 50,000 square feet of warehouse and commercial kitchen space, as well as 26,000 square feet of offices and conference rooms. It is designed to significantly enhance the logistics of food storage, preparation, and delivery to underserved communities in Central Utah, including Sanpete, Sevier, Millard, and Wayne counties.

Architecturally, the building features innovative design elements and construction techniques that set it apart. The use of floating tilt panels above the Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) panels and curtain wall is a unique solution. The combination of concrete tilt panels, cast concrete walls, and metal composite panels, along with decorative reveals wrapping the building, create a striking and functional façade. These decorative reveals, more than six inches thick, not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also serve practical purposes. The exterior concrete panels are finished with a protective paint that enhances durability and weather resistance while improving the building's visual appeal. Inside, the concrete panels are insulated with white scrim-faced insulation, which is crucial for maintaining the building's energy efficiency and regulating indoor temperatures. This insulation helps to create a stable environment that is essential for food storage and preparation.

A central feature of the facility is its capacity to store and deliver food to surrounding communities efficiently. The brand-new kitchen is equipped to prepare meals, ensuring that children have access to nutritious food for generations. Additionally, the facility hosts numerous employees and volunteers in its modern office spaces. It also offers a dedicated volunteer area where community members can donate their time, food, and money. A public food donation drop-off area further integrates the facility with the community, making it easy for residents to contribute to the food bank's mission.

Strategically located near the interstate, this facility streamlines the food bank's operations, enabling more efficient service to pantries and more effective delivery of food boxes to seniors. Previously, distributing goods to remote areas required extensive time and effort, but the new facility's advanced logistics now allow for more timely and reliable service. The Utah Food Bank's new facility is a testament to the power of thoughtful design and engineering in creating spaces that serve critical community needs. By enhancing logistics and supporting efficient food distribution, this building plays a vital role in the mission to alleviate hunger and improve the quality of life for many in Central Utah.

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

The Utah Food Bank Timpanogos Distribution Center posed several challenges that required innovative solutions and precise execution to stay on schedule and within budget while meeting the client's needs. One of the primary obstacles involved the site's unique conditions, including land and water issues that complicated construction. Early in the project, an unforeseen issue arose when the slab on grade began to sink due to problematic soil conditions. This could have significantly delayed the project and increased costs. However, the team swiftly implemented a remediation strategy using injected geofoam under the slab and spot footings to stabilize the foundation. This solution effectively addressed the issue without causing major disruptions to the construction timeline.

Another challenge was balancing the need for a utilitarian design with the opportunity to promote the Food Bank's image, given the building's prominent location next to the interstate. To achieve this, the design team enhanced the south façade with architectural massings and high-quality materials, creating a clean, modern look that serves as a visual landmark while staying within the Food Bank's budget. Throughout the project, the design and construction teams demonstrated resilience and adaptability, ensuring that each challenge was met with effective solutions. The team's dedication to overcoming these obstacles not only preserved the project's schedule and budget, but also resulted in a facility that successfully supports the Food Bank's mission and enhances its public image.

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

The Utah Food Bank showcases several engineering complexities and unique features that highlight the innovative use of tilt-up panel design. One striking design element is the illusion of ACM panels and storefront glass penetrating through the concrete tilt panels. This effect was achieved by suspending the concrete slab off a structural beam, creating a seamless and visually compelling façade.

The building's front elevation posed significant engineering challenges due to the extensive use of architectural features and glass, which reduced the amount of tilt-up panel available for lateral design. This required careful consideration and advanced engineering solutions to address the high seismic loading along the front façade entrance from the roof and second floor. The foundations and connections of the tilt-up panels to the foundation had to be meticulously designed to accommodate large overturning uplift forces, ensuring the structure's stability and integrity in a seismically active region.

Another notable feature was the incorporation of entry spandrel panels, which were among the largest panels used in the project. These panels, along with numerous decorative panels, required support from structural steel backing. This aspect demanded precise coordination between the contractor and architect to integrate roof drainage systems and provide adequate support for the spandrels. The collaboration ensured that the decorative elements did not compromise the building's structural performance or functionality. These engineering solutions and unique design elements enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the facility and also demonstrated the versatility and adaptability of tilt-up concrete construction in addressing complex architectural and structural requirements.

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

The Timpanogos Distribution facility is set to transform the landscape of food assistance in Central Utah. While having one of the best economies and increased growth in the nation, Utah communities still face food insecurity. The ratio of food pantries to people in need has not kept up with the rapid pace of population growth Utah has experienced. Approximately one in ten children in the state, and one in eight children in Central Utah, where this new facility is located, face hunger. Last year, the Utah Food Bank distributed 60 million pounds of food statewide, with only 22% reaching Central Utah. This new distribution facility's impact on the communities in Central Utah counties cannot be overstated.

The facility supports various programs, such as after-school meals, senior meal programs, and food distribution activities. The facility also aims to reach many more seniors and home-bound adults with disabilities by reserving space which will be utilized to make “senior boxes." These boxes will be prepared meals that volunteers put together and deliver to aging citizens and home-bound neighbors. The new center will enhance the Food Bank's strategic, effective, and efficient operations, ensuring better service delivery. Utah has a long history of communities coming together and assisting those in need. It perpetually ranks as a national leader in volunteerism. This facility offers even more opportunities for members of the community to volunteer time and money, especially to those in Central Utah where the need for assistance is apparent.