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Project Profile: Access Dental

By: Ashley Kizzire, Constructive Communication

Take a quick look at the Access Dental building, and it might appear to be a typical Tilt-Up construction project. But a design involving the integration of a vast array of exterior building components meant an unusually challenging project for Tilt- Up contractor Panattoni Construction of Sacramento, Calif. The use of natural stone tiles, aluminum paneling systems and glass features quickly changed a relatively simple Tilt-Up structure into a complex puzzle that demanded a high degree of attention to detail in order to achieve the design intent while maintaining the project’s schedule.

With a desire to centralize his company’s California operations into one structure and celebrate his passion for modern architecture, the owner of Access Dental, a Sacramento-based company providing dental services throughout the state, challenged the design team to create a modern, state- of-the-art facility. Specifically, the owner wanted his new building to be rich with geometric exploration that would create a strong corporate image and portray an attitude about the company’s place in the modern world.

To create a modern effect while remaining within budget, Tilt-Up provided the natural choice. Tilt-Up could help achieve the architect and owner’s vision of integrating the numerous exterior building components chosen for this project, all of which allowed the significant design features that could be achieved with Tilt-Up construction.

Plus, the Tilt-Up method would offer durability and cost-effectiveness and easily could be utilized in the construction of a Class A, three-story office building.

DESIGN INSPIRES COLLABORATION, MODERN APPROACH

With its contemporary design and unique exterior, the 44,575-square-foot Access Dental building stands apart from other buildings in the area. RMW Architects & Interiors of Sacramento planned a building that would facilitate a collaborative spirit for Access Dental employees.

“Design for this structure had one overarching goal: to create an efficient and collaborative organization of work teams under one roof with central access to data and achieve resources convenient to everyone,” says Pat Hastie, Senior Vice President for the Northern California Region of Panattoni Construction. “The planning solution places all resources within a common core zone in each building, which is encircled by offices, work stations and conference areas.”

All floors of the Access Dental 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. The core zone is clad with rich wood-veneered panels from Tanzania, Africa, to mimic the building’s gridded parallel walls. Sandstone tile that was imported from India was applied as one of several exterior finishes to the main entry and along the high trafficked and visible side of the building at the third floor patio structure. Additionally, it was also used as a low wall feature in the courtyard area.

The core zone is lined with service alcoves to connect visually the core to work station clusters and to provide an interface area for individuals to utilize the resource core. The design solution created an efficient and collaborative organization.

The Access Dental project was awarded an Excellence in Achievement award in the 2006 TCA Achievement Award competition.

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TILT-UP TODAY, a publication of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association, is THE source for Tilt-Up industry news, market intelligence, business strategies, technical solutions, product information, and other resources for professionals in the Tilt-Up industry. A subscription to TILT-UP TODAY is included in a TCA membership. Subscriptions for potential TCA members are also available. If you would like to receive a complimentary subscription to the publication, please contact the TCA.