Forge Place

Summarize the project's program, features and achievements?

This project is a strong example of how innovative engineering and close client collaboration can overcome site, permitting, and schedule-related challenges. Faced with significant delays due to permitting issues, the client was seeking an alternative construction approach that would allow them to meet an aggressive timeline. Initially leaning toward precast construction, they turned to RAM for a value-engineered solution. After thorough analysis and planning, RAM demonstrated that the project could be successfully delivered using tilt-up construction, maintaining both quality and schedule while offering long-term operational benefits.

One of the first major hurdles was the demolition and removal of an existing office building on the site. This process had to be executed efficiently and safely due to extremely tight site constraints and the need to maintain operations at adjacent properties. The restricted space also posed unique challenges to staging, logistics, and the erection process—factors that were addressed early in the design through detailed coordination with the construction team.

To further improve constructability and reduce finishing time, RAM introduced the use of insulated tilt-up sandwich panels. This not only helped meet energy performance goals but significantly reduced the need for interior drywall. The panels were designed to provide both structural and thermal performance, aligning with the project's vision of a durable and flexible multi-tenant industrial facility.

The design also needed to accommodate a range of tenant uses, leading to a uniquely configured layout. Several tenant units were designed with both below grade and at-grade loading capabilities, maximizing future leasing opportunities and enhancing long-term flexibility. This aspect of the project required careful planning of slab elevations, loading dock heights, and retaining conditions. Another standout feature of this project was the use of tilt-up panels as fire separation walls. In three key locations, tilt-up concrete walls were used in place of traditional steel stud and drywall fire-rated assemblies. This innovative approach offered several advantages: faster construction, increased fire resistance, and enhanced building resilience. By incorporating these walls into the overall structural system, RAM helped reduce material complexity and construction time while increasing durability.

Throughout the project, RAM worked closely with the client and the entire design-build team to maintain the aggressive schedule without compromising safety, quality, or long-term performance. The successful use of tilt-up construction in this project illustrates the method’s adaptability to complex sites and demanding timelines, proving its value beyond conventional industrial builds.

This project stands out not only for its fast-track delivery and innovative solutions but also for how it pushed the boundaries of what tilt-up can achieve in a constrained urban setting. It is a testament to teamwork, technical expertise, and forward-thinking design.

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

As there was more panel area than slab area the project was completed using casting slabs as well as stacker panels. A crawler crane was also utilized on this site due to the postage stamp size of the site and the fact that there was zero lot line on the North and South property lines

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

The project had 1 panel that required a temporary strongback to facilitate the lifting of the panels