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Tilt-Up Concrete Association Announces 2007 Tilt-Up Achievement Winners

In its 16th consecutive year, the Achievement Awards program was established by TCA to honor projects that use site cast Tilt-Up concrete to introduce new building types, advance industry technology and provide unique solutions to building programs. Projects were reviewed by a panel of 13 judges representing a combination of TCA membership categories, education, publishing and industry management. Although submittals were judged on aesthetic expression, schedule, size, originality, finishes and special conditions, this year’s judges also placed an increased emphasis on the characteristics of the projects that would attract and hold the interest of architects and building owners. To qualify for consideration, projects must be submitted by a TCA member.

According to Jim Baty, Technical Director of the TCA, the judges routinely commented on the continued growth of creativity in applying the principles of forming and lifting site cast Tilt-Up elements with limited or no constraint on the size, shape, or complexity of the geometry.

Projects were encouraged from any market segment and were specifically aligned into categories and sub-categories including Manufacturing/Industrial, Warehouse/Distribution (Corporate Headquarters/Center, Small Business/ Distribution, Speculative), Retail (Life-style centers – Walking Malls, Single Occupant and “Big Box”), Office (One-Two Story, Three Stories and Higher, and Technology Centers), Spiritual Buildings, Educational (K-12 and Higher Education), Institutional (Detention/Correction, Low-Rise, Parking Garage, Service Facilities such as Hospitals and Care Centers), Commercial (Hotels, Golf Clubs, Recreation, Theaters, etc.), Housing, Special Projects and Innovative Application Techniques.

This year, the panel of judges recognized a total of 33 award recipients of the 94 entries submitted and selected four projects from across all categories to receive the exclusive title, Excellence in Achievement. These projects, shown on the following pages, exemplify the current state-of-the-art achievement in Tilt- Up construction with their unique and inventive use of the Tilt-Up method.

In addition to the top four projects, 29 other projects were selected for 2007 Tilt-Up Achievement Awards.

 

Excellence in Achievement Award:

 

Crosley Campus Center-

University of South Florida Crosley Campus Center: 100,000-square-foot educational facility in Sarasota, Fla. Submitted by Tilt-Con Corporation of Altamonte Springs, Fla. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke, and Dayton Superior.

Originally conceived as a block project, the owner decided to convert the project to Tilt-Up because of the economy, speed of construction as well as the flexibility in design and architecture that the Tilt-Up method provides. The facility has several unique elements that create a visually appealing structure. Architectural features such as complex curved panels were used to create a dramatic rotunda entry. In order to complete this, the Tilt-Up subcontractor worked closely with the design team and was able to carefully cast the panels on-site in curved casting beds. In addition to challenging architectural features, the project also had an aggressive schedule and a restricted site. To remedy these challenges, casting slabs were reused and multiple panel erections were performed. The site is located along a wooded waterfront area that was home to several precious natural resources and endangered species. Team members were asked to work around at least a dozen pine trees that were located in the center of the construction site, as well as several gopher turtles that officials had to carefully remove and relocate to a nearby site.

To complement the existing facilities on the campus, the building features a Mediterranean color scheme and incorporates a variety of building heights, towers, reveals, recesses and other architectural details such as complex curved panels, radius tops, covered walkways and clay tiled rooftops. The 100,000-square-foot state-of-the-art academic facility will house 24 classrooms, a 190-seat lecture/exhibition hall, seminar and video-conferencing rooms, computer labs, a childcare center, student gathering places, faculty and staff offices, a technology and learning center, dining facilities, as well as training facilities for the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. The Campus Center will offer approximately 800 courses annually to students in 39 academic programs.

Briarcliff Village-

Briarcliff Village: 86,200-square-foot retail facility in Kansas City, Mo. Sub- mitted by CON/STEEL Tilt-Up Systems of Dayton, Ohio. Other TCA member involvement: Meyer Bros. Building Co. and LJB Inc. Products for this project supplied by: Dayton Superior and Scott System.

As part of an overall development that includes an upscale residential component and numerous Class A office buildings, this 86,200-square- foot building will provide an atmosphere for small boutique shops. Tilt-Up was selected for this project because it was able to meet the owner’s design and budget goals. The building design catered to a site that sloped drastically from back to front. This required a “split-level” concept where the upper floor for offices had entrances from the south side and appeared to be a single-story building. The lower floor, however, appeared to be a two-story structure with entrances to the retail spaces on the north side. The site also had varying soils, which required the below-grade north wall to be a cast- in-place concrete retaining wall with second-story Tilt-Up panels setting on top of the cast-in-place wall. Foundations for the cast-in-place walls were tremendously large to support the weight of a two-story structure and resist the overturning forces of the retaining wall. Since the floor-to-wall ratio was drastically out of proportion, numerous panels had to be stack-cast and 5,000 square feet of casting beds were necessary.

To emulate a small village in the Tuscan region of Italy, a variety of color schemes were used on the project. Bright colors were used to enhance the colors of modular brick, natural stone and cut stone materials. Colored areas were achieved by using an EIFS material that is directly applied to the concrete panel surface. All of the curved window openings were cast into the concrete panels and many also incorporate a radius brick band above the opening. A combination of cast-in brick and standard modular brick was used on the project.

Carson Tahoe Hospital

Carson Tahoe Hospital: 363,000-square-foot service facility in Carson City, Nev. Submitted by Degenkolb Engineers of San Diego, Calif. Other TCA member involvement: Tedesco Construction. Products for this project supplied by: Dayton Superior, Nox-Crete Products Group and White Cap Construction Supply.

Providing a competitive cost advantage compared to a steel special concentrically braced frame (SCBF) lateral system, Tilt-Up was selected for the 363,000-square-foot facility because the concrete shear walls provide a longer lasting, more durable exterior that improves energy performance due to their inherent thermal mass. Further, the Tilt-Up shear walls at the exterior of the building provided flexibility for the current layout as well as for future renovations while also reducing the need for interior brace frames. This is the first concrete hospital/healthcare facility of its size to use Tilt-Up panels for the primary lateral force resisting system. Since the project was located in a high seismic region, the engineers worked with the contractor to design custom-welded hold-down details that are capable of transmitting the high shear and overturning forces as well as allow for the necessary erection tolerances. The panels for this project received ranking on the TCA Top 10 List (largest panel at 2,742 square feet, third heaviest at 292,000 pounds and fifth tallest at 83 feet, 2 inches). The design incorporated threaded bar connections at the bottom of panels and embed plates that were welded to embed plates in the foundations. These design elements allowed the large panels to be safely set, with reasonable erection tolerances, and still deliver the large seismic forces into the foundation.

As the cornerstone of the Carson-Tahoe Regional Medical Center’s new 85-acre campus, the facility is a seismically safe, cost-effective structure that allows the owner to incorporate the latest healthcare technologies. The main lobby of the hospital extends nearly the entire length of the structure. The Tilt-Up panels are located in the interior of the building, at the back wall of the lobby, and a glass curtain wall in a saw-tooth pattern was used to define the front of the structure. The façade is primarily painted concrete walls with various elements that incorporate a stone veneer. This project received recognition from the Structural Engineering Association of California for Best Use of Conventional Technology in New Construction, a Certificate of Merit from Healthcare Design magazine, and the 2006 ACI Construction Award from the Northern California/Western Nevada Chapter.

Seven Farms Square-

Seven Farms Square: 94,000- square-foot housing project in Charleston, S.C. Submitted by Charter Concrete Services, Inc. of Charlotte, N.C. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke, Nox-Crete Products Group, Scott System and Victory Bear.

Located in an area with seismic and storm requirements, this project needed to handle the elements. Tilt-Up was selected for this project for its ability to address those concerns as well as meet cost and schedule requirements. Located on a very tight site, there was limited space for casting panels. This made panel layout and bracing extremely challenging. The project had several large panels that weighed approximately 95,000 pounds, which created heavy lifts. The visually appealing three-story and partial four-story building for residential, office and retail use has brick exterior and major rustications. To create the multistory structure, smaller panels were set on top of the third floor slab on deck. This project introduced Tilt-Up to the area and proved its viability for a four-story multi-use project.

 

Tilt-Up Achievement Award — Office:

 

2310 Crossroads-

2310 Crossroads: 70,000- square-foot office building in Madison, Wis. Submitted by Newcomb Construction Company, Inc. of Madison, Wis. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke, Nox-Crete Products Group, and Composite Technolo- gies Corp.

Although this building was originally designed with intentions of using conventional building methods, Tilt-Up was ultimately chosen to save the owner approximately $1 million. As a result of switching methods, Newcomb faced the challenge of maintaining the appearance of the architect’s initial plans. Additional challenges included working with five-story panels and a small, 14,000-square-foot foundation. The 57-foot panels were the tallest Newcomb has worked with in 14 years of Tilt-Up construction. The visual appearance was enhanced by contrasting red Endicott thin brick and white concrete with a slight color additive. The building, which also features 18 mitered columns and two 60-degree pointed corners, was listed as one of the top ten concrete building projects to watch in Engineering News Record.

American Classic Voyage-

American Classic Voyages: 370,000-square-foot office building in Sunrise, Fla. Submitted by TiltCrete, LLC of Medley, Fla. Other TCA member involvement: Johnson Structural Group. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke and Nox-Crete Products Group.

This 370,000-square-foot office project was completed in a mere six months. The original design called for full-height six-story panels. However, the staging and bracing of such a design was impractical, if not impossible. The project was thus re-designed into three panels – a bottom two-story panel, a middle three-story panel, with a one-story panel on the top. Casting beds were used. With a 92-foot parapet, the panels were welded to the structure and bear on each other to the foundation. The building recesses as it goes up, which provides visual relief to the tall structure. In addition to the recess features, various paint schemes and treatments such as reveals and punched windows are used on the different panel levels to provide architectural appeal. The clean design is augmented with earth-tone colors.

Citigroup Processing Center-

Citigroup Processing Center: 175,000-square-foot office facility in Urbandale, Iowa. Submitted by Clayco, Inc. of St. Louis, MO. Other TCA member involvementL Alper Audi, Inc. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke, Nox-Crete Products Group, Scott System and Composite Technologies Corp.

This 370,000-square-foot office project was completed in a mere six months. The original design called for full-height six-story panels. However, the staging and bracing of such a design was impractical, if not impossible. The project was thus re-designed into three panels – a bottom two-story panel, a middle three-story panel, with a one-story panel on the top. Casting beds were used. With a 92-foot parapet, the panels were welded to the structure and bear on each other to the foundation. The building recesses as it goes up, which provides visual relief to the tall structure. In addition to the recess features, various paint schemes and treatments such as reveals and punched windows are used on the different panel levels to provide architectural appeal. The clean design is augmented with earth-tone colors.

East Lake Point

East Lake Point Office Building: 54,998-square-foot office building in Palm Harbor, Fla. Submitted by Commerical Superflat of Naples, Fla. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke and Nox-Crete Products Group.

Although it has been done before, a five-story Tilt-Up structure is still unique. However, Commercial Superflat (CSF) had previous Tilt-Up experience in the area and hoped that this building could be showcased to potential clients as well as launch a new market in multi-story Tilt-Up construction. To reduce costs, Commercial Superflat re-used casting beds and broke them up after completion to use for a parking lot base.

Special attention was paid to the color choices, and the three tone scheme of the building complements the forest green glazing and entry porte cochère canopy. As a main focus on a prominent roadway in the town of Oldsmar, the owner wanted it to have maximum visual impact. The inlay reveals on the upper entry panels were painted to match the design of the window glazing, and staggered panels at the main and side entries combine with the darker color of the building to provide striking depth and Class A elements.

Hagemeyer North America-

Hagemeyer North America Corporate Office Building: 51,296-square-foot corporate headquarters center in Charleston, S.C. Submitted by Choate Construction of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Other TCA member involvement: Charter Concrete. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke, Nox-Crete Products Group, Textured Coatings of America, and Scott System.

Home to Hagemeyer’s more than 200 local associates, this Class A office facility unites all employees who were previously scattered throughout Charleston, S.C. Tilt-Up was selected early in the development phase as the most economical means of construction as well as for the method’s durability and ability to meet tight schedules. A visually-appealing structure, the design consists of brick inserts, painted concrete that is textured to resemble stucco and multiple reveals that break-up the exterior finishes. These finishes provide the appearance of a traditional office building constructed of conventional metal stud exterior walls, with modular brick and EIFS finishes.

The brick elevations vary from just below windows to full height to provide the desired architectural distinction in appearance. The main entry panels are arched to follow the radius curvature of standing seam metal canopies. The canopies are supported by two Tilt-Up concrete columns, each painted to match the building finish scheme. Featured in the Charleston Regional Business Journal, this project is a prime example of the architectural appeal of Tilt-Up and the viability of the method to this region.

Highland Pointe

Highland Pointe Building B: 118,133-square-foot office building in Roseville, Calif. Submitted by Panattoni Construction, Inc. of Sacramento, Calif. Products for this project supplied by: Dayton Superior, Nox-Crete Products Group, Textured Coatings of America, and Whitecap Construction Supply.

Aside from its cost-effectiveness and concrete accessibility, Tilt-Up was selected for this project in an effort to blend steel frame construction with glazed and metal cladding, creating a multitude of architectural and thematic possibilities. Because of the awkward site shape, buildings were organized along a linear vehicular and pedestrian circulation route and were grouped in such a way to generate a “campus” environment. A definitive curved wall was chosen to unite all aspects of the design problem and fulfill the feeling of a campus setting.

Awarded “Office Project of the Year” by the Sacramento Business Journal, the success of this project is attributed to various architectural components such as the articulation of the solid versus void juxtaposition in the punctuated concrete panels with glazed fenestration. Additionally, the concrete versus glass dichotomy is articulated through the combination of solid concrete panel walls to glazed walls. Spandrel glass is distinctively displayed throughout the building and aluminum cladding surrounding all exterior columns. The building also features powerful recessed entries that are augmented by vertical columns, doubling as way-finding identification.

International Design Center-

International Design Center: 270,000-square-foot office building in Ester, Fla. Submitted by GCM Contracting Solutions, Inc. of Fort Myers, Fla. Other TCA member involvement: Sunshine Specialties, Inc. Products for this project supplied by: CMC Construction Services.

Although the owner – Miromar Development Corporation — for this retail/office multi-use project was unfamiliar with Tilt-Up construction, the estimated cost savings of using site-cast instead of masonry won favor, making Tilt-Up the ideal solution. Constructed in about eight months, the 270,000-square-foot project offers a high-end space with flexibility for a variety of tenants. With the tallest panel measuring 65 feet, recessed arched windows were central to the design theme and create a dramatic effect. One of the challenges for this project was adhering to the project schedule even though the owner wanted elements of the project redesigned once the project had begun. To further complicate this situation, the owner decided to hire a new general contractor midstream. Even in the face of these obstacles, the owner saved about $6 million dollars by converting the project from masonry and stucco to Tilt-Up.

Nation Safe Drivers-

Nation Safe Drivers Corpo- rate Headquarters: 49,890- square-foot office building in Boca Raton, Fla. Submitted by Johnson Structural Group of Deerfield Beach, Fla. Other TCA member involvement: Builders Plus and BA Group of Broward, Inc.

Although Nation Safe Drivers needed a fast-track schedule for their corporate headquarters, they also wanted a structure that would accurately reflect their company’s image. To create a high-end architectural feel, Johnson Structural Group incorporated a consistent banded reveal at the top of the parapet, as well as reveals and recesses around each of the windows. This reveal structure is highlighted in shades of yellow and cream on the building’s exterior. The dramatic entry features parapet return walls extended back into the roof, highlighted by teal-colored feature panels and aluminum curved canopies. These 30-foot-wide curved feature panels, which bear the load of the floor and roof joists, represent the project’s largest and heaviest panels, and were cast using foam forms. The entrance also features a unique balcony formed from 24-inch-thick Tilt-Up columns tied together with 8-inch spandrel panels.

Seacoast National Bank Center-

Seacoast National Bank Center: 67,500-square-foot office building in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Submitted by Builders Plus, Inc. of Boynton Beach, Fla. Other TCA member involvement: BA Group of Broward, Inc. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke, Textured Coatings of America and Nox-Crete Products Group.

Inspired by the contemporary European design of PGA Boulevard, this project features monumental entrances constructed from three-story- high arched Tilt-Up wall panels. The multidimensional panels with radius entryways added to the complexity of the job as well as the 60-foot tall panels. A textured coating on the ground floor was used to create a base resembling granite, and chamfered corners with balconies enhance the beauty of the build- ing. Tilt-Up provided the speed and affordability needed to complete the highly functional and aesthetically appealing structure.

Vista Center-

Vista Center: 300,000-square-foot office building in West Palm Beach, Fla. Submitted by Builders Plus, Inc. of Boynton Beach, Fla. Other TCA member involvement: O’Donnell, Naccarato, Mignogna & Jackson and BA Group of Broward, Inc. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke and Nox-Crete Products Group.

Often referred to as the “Spider” for its complexity, this building was designed for Palm Beach County’s Planning and Zoning Department. Despite the fact that nearly 28 panels were lost during the 2004 hurricane season, the project was still completed in record time. The panels used were also unique as each one was comprised of three different thicknesses from top to bottom; the panels measure 11.25-inches on the bottom, move upward 30 feet to 9.25-inches, and are 7.25-inches at the top.

The building’s mansard roofs display Spanish “S” tiles, and there are two radius panels at the front entry. EIFS trim created raised profiles and aluminum filigree defined entries and special accent features. In addition, the project required a parking garage be connected to the main building at four different levels.

 

Tilt-Up Achievement Award — Retail:

 

Best Buy at the Shoppes at Shoal Creek-

Best Buy at the Shoppes at Shoal Creek: 30,000-square-foot retail facility in Kansas City, MO. Submitted by Needham and Associates, Inc. of Overland Park, Kan. Other TCA member involvement: Uthko Contracting, Inc. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke, Scott System, Victory Bear, and Composite Technologies Corp.

An intricate scheduling process allowed Needham and Associates and the entire construction team to complete the Best Buy retail store at the Shoppes at Shoal Creek just four months after excavation began. The building’s structural shell and architectural panels were cast and erected in approximately eight weeks, allowing interior trades to begin work inside the building. The firm also chose to use embeds to the footing rather than dowels to the slab to form base connections, thereby eliminating a timely step in the construction schedule. Though the big-box store benefited from fast-track Tilt-Up design, it wasn’t lacking in architectural interest, thanks to architectural pilaster panels that were stacked in two to three layers to create depth. Three additional architectural panels—the largest weighing just over 100,000 pounds—were joined to create Best Buy’s trademark blue wedge over the store’s entrance. To further enhance the high-end look of the structure, 16,600 feet of thin-set brick in three different shades was applied in soldier course, stack bond and running bond patterns to the building’s exterior.

Hana American Corporation-

Hana America Corporation: 9,483-square-foot retail facility in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Submitted by CON/STEEL Tilt-Up Systems of Dayton, Ohio. Other TCA member involvement: LJB Inc. and Draftcon Calamar Corp. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke and Dayton Superior.

Schedule was one of the primary reasons Tilt-Up was selected for this retail, restaurant and office project. By utilizing Tilt-Up, the building was able to be constructed during the winter months so the project could be complete for the tourism season. Beyond schedule, Tilt-Up was selected for the insulating values the method offers as well as its low maintenance properties. Located on an extremely tight, narrow site in downtown Niagara Falls, panels had to be formed on casting beds and an oversized crane was utilized to accommodate the long reach. To complement the owner’s Korean heritage, the building features an Oriental motif with angled façade panels as well as stepped and offset eaves. The stone veneer with concrete Tilt-Up presents a bold, massive appearance to a small footprint. Soft cream and beige colors were used to create a warm and inviting look for the fine dining that is available in the restaurant. The unique design is all concrete including the façade panels and the cast-in-place furring with insulation provided a drywall ready interior.

Harley-Davidson Seminole-

Harley-Davidson Seminole: 76,000-square-foot retail facility in Sanford, Fla. Submitted by Tilt-Con Corporation of Altamonte Springs, Fla. Other TCA member involvement: Braga Engineering Solutions. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke and Dayton Superior.

Located in a high-profile area in the rapidly growing community of Seminole, Fla., the Harley-Davidson Seminole store features panels that vary in thickness and height. The project was converted from block
to Tilt-Up to meet the owner’s aesthetic desires as well as for Tilt-Up’s speed of construction and durable properties. Construction of the two-story, 76,000-square-foot store required approximately 38 panels, varying in shape, height and thickness. Two stand-off panels bearing the company’s signature “H” and “D,” used to crown the store’s entrance, were formed using special casting beds to accommodate their unique angled shape. Also overseeing the construction of another Harley-Davidson dealership in nearby Sunrise, Fla., Tilt-Con was able to complete this project quickly, allowing the store to open in time for Bike Week.

 

Tilt-Up Achievement Award — Education:

 

Al Meiklejohn Elementary School-

Al Meiklejohn Elementary School: 68,000-sqaure-foot educational facility in Arvada, Colo. Submitted by Saunders Construction, Inc. of Centennial, Colo. Other TCA member involvement: Kopf Consulting Group. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke, Scott Systems, Composite Technologies Corp., and Whitecap Construction Supply.

The Jefferson County School District had a simple goal: They needed to construct the largest elementary school ever built in their district in record time. When Saunders Construction, which had previously built a Tilt-Up charter school in the same district, came onto the project, the schedule was already tight—but it was made even more so by the decision to use a structural floor over a crawlspace instead of the previously designated slab-on-grade. An even more concerning issue was the team had already designed into the project interior Tilt-Up walls. In fact, there is not a steel column anywhere in the building. This choice of a structural floor added nearly seven weeks of design and construction to the project, while the project completion date remained the same. Saunders met the expedited schedule by phasing the panel design and construction to reflect the building’s four quadrants, while design proceeded on the rest of the structure. The new floor style also required 70,000 square feet of casting bed to be erected around the building for panel forming. The fastest-designed ground-up school ever constructed in the district, the 68,000-square-foot Al Meiklejohn Elementary was built in just ten months and features a host of inviting features, including letters, numbers and musical notes formed from foam cutouts and recessed into the panels, as well as a front entry canopy decorated with laser-cut perforated metal panels shaped like stars, suns and moons.

FAU Lifelong Learning Center-

FAU Lifelong Learning Center: 33,700-square-foot educational facility in Jupiter, Fla. Submitted by Woodland Construction of Jupiter, Fla. Other TCA member involvement: O’Donnell, Naccarato, Mignogna & Jackson and Permit Engineering Services. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke, Textured Coatings of America and Nox-Crete Products Group.

A longtime supporter of Tilt-Up construction (the method has been used to construct several other structures on campus, including a student housing facility), Florida Atlantic University had no doubts about turning to Tilt-Up again for its Lifelong Learning Center. To create a friendly, welcoming environment for the center’s older students, Woodland Construction incorporated design features such as an open-air entry and covered walkways surrounding a courtyard, as well as distinctive architectural elements such as varying reveal lines that delineate color changes on the building’s façade. Composed of two classroom wings adjacent to an auditorium, the structure is joined by two identical Tilt-Up towers at the entry to each wing. Because construction occurred while classes were still in session in other buildings, Woodland had limited access to the site. In addition, the sloped floor of the auditorium necessitated the use of casting beds to form most of the project’s panels. The Lifelong Learning Center provides a space for non-credit, university-level classes for adults in the community.

Hurricane Intermediate School-

Hurricane Intermediate School: 134,000-square-foot educational facility in Hurricane, Utah. Submitted by Hughes General Contractors of North Salt Lake, Utah. Other TCA member involvement: BHB Consulting Engineers. Products for this project supplied by: Solomon Colors, Dayton Superior and Concrete Forms Services.

Before they were selected for the Hurricane Intermediate School project, Hughes General Contractors had already set an impressive precedent in southern Utah’s Washington County School District. Their integrally colored Tilt-Up buildings, designed to complement the area’s sandstone hills and red soil, had already won three TCA awards. For this project, Hughes relied on the same theme, but set the 134,000-sqare-foot structure apart by using different depths of sandblasting to create texture and color variations on individual panels, and also cast a 30-foot-long image of a jaguar (the school’s mascot) into walls in a commons area using polycarbonate molds. Other notable features include aluminum joint covers designed to prevent vandalism to the caulking, as well as curved, hanging lintel panels supported by cast-in- place concrete columns. To meet the project’s demanding summer construction schedule, Hughes received permission from the city of Hurricane to start work prior to the 6 a.m. noise ordinance, with some pours starting as early as 2 a.m. to avoid scorching summer temperatures.

Spectrum Academic Center and Library-

Spectrum Academic Center and Library at National University, San Diego: 103,000-square-foot educational facility in San Diego, Calif. Submitted by Architects Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker of San Diego, Calif.
As an adult-education center offering classes in a one-course-per-month format, National University of San Diego needed a fast-track construction method for its Spectrum project that would minimize disruption to classes. Although Tilt-Up was the natural choice for speed and economy, the university wanted the structure to project an academic atmosphere, so Architects Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker incorporated traditional elements such as stone-clad arched entrances into their design. The north and south wings of the 33,700-square-foot building are connected by a 170-foot-long steel frame galleria, an element that required considerable coordination between the architects and engineer to ensure proper seismic performance. Inside, the structure combines such energy-saving features as thermally efficient indoor Tilt-Up walls, abundant daylighting and high-performance glass, which secured the project a “Savings by Design” incentive awarded by San Diego Gas and Electric—the first such incentive awarded to a construction project in San Diego County.
Tilt-Up Achievement Award — Spiritual Building:
Bishop Gadsden- 
Bishop Gadsden: 4,519-square-foot spiritual building in Charleston, S.C. Submitted by Citadel Contractors, Inc. of the Carolinas from their Charleston, S.C. office. Other TCA member involvement: Robert L. Hume P.E. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke, Nox-Crete Products Group and White Cap Construction Supply.
With the goal of having the chapel look like the community was built around it, tabby stucco was chosen as the building material. This material was used by early settlers to build walls and piers and was produced from oyster shells, sand and water. Tilt-Up was selected for this project because it was the only feasible system for constructing the walls with the tabby stucco texture. Further, Tilt-Up provided structural stability in an environment at substantial risk from both hurricane and seismic events. To develop a technique to create the tabby stucco texture, the team brainstormed and tested mockup panels. The solution consisted of hand-stacking the oyster shells in a three-eighths-inch thick sand-bed and using white cement to bond the shells in a textured layer, and then constructing the structural layer. To create the joints in a manner characteristic of cut stone, 1.5- inch deep reveals beveled at 12.5 degrees were used. Toothed joints were necessary to create the cut stone quoins at the two outside steeple corners. Each joint has nineteen teeth over a 42-foot, 11-inch height.

The color scheme for the project is dominated by the various shades of natural white oyster shells with a white lime wash over exposed concrete. The steeple walls are smooth concrete patterned to simulate cut stone with quoined corners. Tall, slender arched windows are dressed in exposed concrete cut stone trim. Receiving tremendous attention, the project has been recognized in the local paper, The Post and Courier, which noted how Tilt-Up allowed for a durable structure and fast delivery. This project demonstrates the versatility and creativity that designers have when employing the Tilt-Up method.

 

Tilt-Up Achievement Award — Warehouse/Distribution:

 

6th & Utica-

6th & Utica Warehouse and Office Facility: 350,840-square-foot warehouse/distribution facility in Ranch Cucamonga, Calif. Submitted by Panattoni Construction, Inc. of Sacramento, Calif. Products for this project supplied by: Dayton Superior, Nox-Crete Products Group and Whitecap Construction Supply.

Because of its location on a prominent street corner in the city of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., the 350,840-square-foot warehouse facility designed by Panattoni Construction was held to higher-than-usual standards. The city’s planning commission required not only a minimum of three finishes on the building’s exterior, but also mandated offsets in the façade that would break up the flat walls of a traditional warehouse. Panattoni met these guidelines by incorporating symmetrically spaced, freestanding, sandblasted arcade panels on the building’s exterior, combined with blue glass, slate veneer wainscot accents, a decorative metal canopy over the entrance, and stained wood lattice on the patio areas. Because access was limited on the urban site, a 50-foot area of the floor slab was poured after the panels were erected, allowing them to be lifted by crane from inside the building.

Pattern-Crete Office and Warehouse-

Pattern-Crete Office.Warehouse: 4,160-square-foot warehouse/distribution facility in Villa Park, Ill. Submitted by Pattern Crete, Inc. of Villa Park, Ill.

To achieve the look of imported granite slabs accented with slate without the high cost, the owner selected Tilt- Up for its ability to achieve the desired aesthetics, speed of construction and durability. This project combines cast- in-place decorative colored and stamped concrete with Tilt-Up construction. Located on a tight site, the panels had to be cast in two phases. The second set of panels was poured around the bracing for the first set of panels. Achieving a granite-like exterior, the structure is colored deep red with charcoal accents. Charcoal colored simulated slate borders running through the simulated granite slabs create additional visual appeal. This project has been recognized by Concrete Décor magazine, Concrete Contractor magazine, the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) newsletter, and was featured as an online article on ConcreteNetwork.com.

 

Tilt-Up Achievement Awards — Manufacturing-Industrial:

 

General Technologies-

General Technologies Office and Manufacturing Facility: 100,000-square-foot manufacturing/industrial facility in Stafford, Texas. Submitted by Powers Brown Architecture of Houston, Texas. Other TCA member involvement: General Technologies, Inc. Products for this project supplied by: CMC Construction Services

Although the majority of the structure Powers Brown Architecture designed for General Technologies was intended for manufacturing, a portion of the building would also house office space, so the owners sought a design that went beyond the typical “big box” warehouse treatment. However, they needed to achieve this goal within a limited budget, making Tilt-Up the natural choice. To delineate the office from the rest of the building, Powers Brown created an oversized Tilt-Up cornice, supported at varying heights by Tilt-Up columns. The same element is repeated on a smaller scale as a light fixture in the lobby. The office façade and entrance also feature a masonry veneer that further differentiates them from the manufacturing space.

Rtron Corporate Offices and Manufacturing Facility-

Ritron Corporate Office and Manufacturing Facility: 150,000-square-foot manufacturing/industrial facility in Stafford, Texas. Submitted by Powers Brown Architecture of Houston, Texas. Other TCA member involvement: Haynes Whaley and R J Milio Company. Products for this project supplied by: CMC Construction Services.

With the construction of Rtron’s corporate office and manufacturing facility in an existing office park, Powers Brown Architecture faced a unique opportunity to create a self-sufficient community by incorporating the workspace with cafes and gathering areas. To help the building blend into its surroundings, the firm chose to use a medium textured paint and complimentary color scheme on the building’s exterior. However, they also wanted the building to function as a source of inspiration for the surrounding community, and so they incorporated fluctuating planes along the side of the structure, set off by a courtyard, an effort that helped the firm secure a Design Award from Houston’s AIA chapter.

 

Tilt-Up Achievement Award — Institutional

 

CORTEX One-

CORTEX One: 165,000-square-foot institutional facility in St. Louis, Mo. Submitted by Clayco, Inc. of St. Louis, Mo. Other TCA member involvement: Alper Audi, Inc. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke and Nox-Crete Products Group.

To meet the aggressive one-year schedule for the project, the design-build team selected Tilt-Up construction. Freezing temperatures, snow, sleet, ice and unseasonable rain slowed productivity and compressed an already difficult schedule. Tilt-Up afforded the team opportunities to work in weather conditions that would have shut down the site using other building methods. In addition to meeting the schedule demand, Tilt-Up provided the team with the ability to construct 60-foot-tall concrete panels and use a full curtain wall system. Located on a tight site, the design- build team cast the concrete panels in three sequences on the floor and braced them from the inside instead of using typical exterior bracing, which required close coordination with the structural and bracing engineers to avoid interference with the structural steel erection.

The north elevation consists of a full curtain wall that leans out at a five-degree angle. This design idea was carried through to the south elevation through the innovative use of leaning out several of the Tilt-Up panels at the same angle. Divided into east and west wings, the facility features a common three-story atrium lobby. Matching glass elements at the north and south elevations allow light to pour into the middle of the building. Tilt-Up panels on three of the four elevations provide a high-tech aesthetic look. With an eye toward sustainability, the project was awarded certification in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System for Core and Shell Development (LEED-CS). The project has received the Regional Excellence Award in the health and science category from St. Louis Construction News and Real Estate. CORTEX is a partnership between Washington University, Saint Louis University, the Missouri Botanical Garden, Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. It is the first building leading a new biotech corridor in St. Louis.

EMH Sheffield Medical Building-

EMH Sheffield Medical Building: 50,400-square-foot service facility in Sheffield Village, Ohio. Submitted by STAR Inc. of Amherst, Ohio. Other TCA member involvement: LJB Inc. Products for this project supplied by: Dayton Superior, Nox-Crete Products Group and Scott System.

The goal of the EMH Sheffield Medical Building was to provide a doctors’ group an innovative and larger space. Two floors of the building were only roughed-in as potential lease space, but the image and location caught the attention of another medical group before construction was even completed. Initially, the property’s high water content required de-watering efforts, and more than 500 feet of retaining wall was constructed to compensate for grade variations of up to 16 feet on the site.

Tilt-Up was an economical choice because the concrete panels served both structural and aesthetic purposes. Some of the panels comprised the finished interior walls in the facility, thus special detail was paid to the forming, brick setting and rustication of them. Several distinctive elements were chosen to add to the professional image of the building such as the three-story atrium/lobby and the towers surrounding the stairways. A curvilinear, blue tinted and reflective glass curtain wall encompasses the main lobby, making it instantly eye-catching and minimizing heat from the entrance’s exposure to sun.

 

Tilt-Up Achievement Award — Commercial:

 

Federal Correctional Institute & Federal Prison Camp-

Federal Correctional Institute & Federal Prison Camp: 397,400-square-foot institutional facility in Mendota, Calif. Submitted by: Dick Pacific Construction (DPC) of Phoenix, Ariz. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke and Composite Technologies Corp.

Like most federal prisons, the Mendota Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) is in a remote area, resulting in site challenges. Comprising 288 acres, this project required Dick Pacific Construction (DPC) to meet security requirements, such as 12-inch thick insulated walls with reinforcing at 8 inches on center each way, as well as ensure the building was durable and could tolerate temperature extremes. During the winter months when the building was constructed, rain and fog were common, creating a muddy jobsite. It was also difficult for DPC to find locally available skilled laborers, as the population is mainly agricultural-based.

Located in the San Joaquin Valley Basin, the soil is in a moderately high seismic zone 3 and is susceptible to liquefaction; therefore, earthquake drains were placed at a depth of 50 feet to provide a path for rapid dissipation of earthquake-generated excess pore pressure. The extensive drain system made Tilt-Up wall panels the best method for the project. Similarly, insulated Tilt-Up walls have a high thermal mass and were chosen because they exceeded the energy requirements set by the ASHRAE.

In addition, the owner requested that the exterior design match the heritage of the central California valley. To achieve this look, DPC used precast concrete cells with a broken fin texture to simulate the “corrugated roofing texture” found in the valley’s utility buildings; the Tilt-Up panels were designed to both complement and contrast this texture with a random board finish along with smooth accent panels, reveals and arched headers found in the valley’s farm structures. Throughout the design, concrete panels were finished with a combination of smooth and textured areas to create variation. The extensive use of reveals, fenestration, and recessed windows develop interest and character. With careful attention to details, DPC pre-planned every step of the way. This attentiveness not only led to the success of the building, but also to the company winning the California Golden State Safety Award.

Georgia International Convention Center-

Georgia International Convention Center: 190,000-square-foot commercial facility in College Park, Ga. Submitted by Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates Inc. of Atlanta, Ga. Other TCA member involvement: T& M Tilt-Up, Inc. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke and Whitecap Construction Supply.

In response to the highly competitive convention center business, this structure was designed to leave a sophisticated and lasting impression on patrons, enticing them to return. Along with its flexible layouts and ample public areas, the floor plan features a 40,000-square-foot ballroom, which is the largest in the southeastern United States. With anticipation for the future, Tilt-Up panels can be removed to expand the building and add exhibition space. Because the Convention Center is located near the end of two runways at the Hartsfield/ Jackson International Airport, Tilt-Up panels were selected for their high mass walls that can reduce aircraft sound transfer. The curved front of the building was constructed with flat panels, but the radius was big enough to give the appearance of a curved wall. In association with the airport location, the large sweeping curves and sloping panels of the building give visitors a sense of movement and flight.

Key Biscayne Community Center-

Key Biscayne Community Center: 45,000-square-foot commercial facility in Key Biscayne, Fla. Submitted by TiltCrete, LLC of Medley, Fla. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke and Nox-Crete Products Group.

Although the owner of this 45,000-square-foot commercial office project was unfamiliar with Tilt-Up, the architect and engineer were both convinced it would be the most economical building method for this project. Constructed in six months for the City of Key Biscayne, this project was designed to serve as a gathering place for the community. Because the project was constructed in an infill area, there was very little casting area. As such, the panels were cast on an elevated post-tensioned slab. The bracing inserts had to be set in the slab instead of drilled in, which was a unique process for the construction team.

Because of the high-profile nature of this project – all eyes of the community watched the progress – a variety of cost-effective architectural elements were included in the design to ensure architectural appeal. The extensive use of a ship-lap lining provides visual relief to the concrete panels, despite the fact that aligning the forms was a major construction challenge. The blue and earth-tone colors create a coastal look and an inviting center – something you’d see in our downtowns of yesterday.

 

Tilt-Up Achievement Award — Special Project

 

South Regional Library-

South Regional Library: 103,500-square-foot special project in Pembroke Pines, Fla. Submitted by Tilt-Con Corporation of Altamonte Springs, Fla. Other TCA member involvement: James B. Pirtle Construction Company. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke, Dayton Superior, and Composite Technologies Corp.

Having demonstrated its ability to complete complex projects, Tilt-Con was selected to provide a library for a growing community with adequate space for a young adult area, study rooms and multipurpose rooms as well as a gift shop and coffee bar. Some of the challenging architectural treatments of this project included insulated panels, spandrel glass, integrated color panels, and a sandblast finish. The exterior sand- blast finish required careful attention to ensure the color stayed consistent throughout the building; therefore, tight control was placed on water to cement ratios, and the cement was only mixed during certain times of the day to produce an identical finish. With the speed and efficiency of Tilt-Up, Tilt-Con met both time and budget constraints.

 

Tilt-Up Achievement Awards — Innovation Application Techniques:

 

Littoral Warfare Research Complex-

Littoral Warfare Research Complex: 39,755-square-foot innovative application technique in Panama City, Fla. Submitted by Haskell of Jacksonville, Fla. Products for this project supplied by: Meadow Burke, Dayton Superior, Textured Coatings of America and Nox-Crete Products Group.

Haskell chose Tilt-Up for the Research Complex because of its inherent resistance to blast impact, and its ability to satisfy the government-mandated progressive collapse requirements. In the post 9/11 environment, both are important elements that entail a unique structural design, allowing for redistribution of floor loads in the event of a sudden failure to a primary exterior supporting element. The facility serves as a laboratory for research and development of high tech warfare instruments; therefore, Haskell worked closely with Navy personnel to ensure the flow and lay-out relationships were the most efficient.

Brick served as the primary façade treatment, yet some Tilt-Up panels were exposed to differentiate the functions of the interior spaces. Brick clads the heart of the facility: the labs, research and testing areas. Tilt-Up clads the servant spaces: the elevators, stairs, offices and observation rooms. The purpose of the waterfront facility is to provide launch and recovery capabilities for various research platforms. It is equipped with a bridge crane, water test tanks, dock, and hoist and boat ramps. Throughout the construction phases, five named storms, including Hurricanes Dennis and Ivan, directly hit the site. In spite of this, Haskell stayed within the contractual budget and timeline of the complex. This project has been awarded an Excellence in Construction award by the Associated Builders and Contractors First Coast Chapter and the National Design-Build Award for the best public sector building under $15 million from the Design Build Institute of America.

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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.