flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Speed Core wall system is used for the second time in office building in San Jose

Steel Buildings

Speed Core wall system is used for the second time in office building in San Jose

The construction method is expected to knock off three months from the project’s schedule.


By John Caulfield, Senior Editor | April 17, 2021
Jobsite of 200 Park in San Jose, Calif.

The 19-story 200 Park office tower in San Jose, Calif., is being constructed with the Speed Core shear wall system. Image: Tomas Ovalle/San Jose Business Journal

A 19-story building under construction in San Jose, Calif., will be the second in the country to be built with a concrete-filled composite plate shear wall system, which was first used successfully two years ago for construction of the 58-story Rainer Square tower in Seattle.

Level 10 Construction is the general contractor on the San Jose project, known locally as 200 Park, a Class A office building that, when it’s completed in May 2023, will have 937,000 sf that include 26,000 sf of outdoor terraces. The building’s owner, Jay Paul Company, is targeting LEED Gold certification. When it’s completed, 200 Park will be San Jose’s tallest office tower.

 

200 Park Conceptual Structural Steel Sequence from Level 10 Construction on Vimeo.

 

The wall system, known as Speed Core, is expected to reduce the construction time for 200 Park by three months, according to Kevin Englund, Level 10’s Partner and Vice President. Level 10 started construction on this project in March, and the Speed Core portion should be completed next year.

The building team on this project includes Gensler (architect), and Magnusson Klemencic Associates (SE and CE), which has been Speed Core’s biggest advocate. MKA was part of the project team that completed Rainer Square tower’s core nine months ahead of schedule.

 

200 Park in San Jose, Calif., will be completed in May 2023

200 Park in San Jose, Calif., will have 937,000 of rentable square footage, and 26,000 sf of outdoor terraces (below). Images: Jay Paul Company

Outdoor terraces at 200 Park in San Jose

 

FASTER AND SAFER CONSTRUCTION

The SpeedCore system relies on two steel plates connected with steel cross ties, which are then filled with high-strength concrete. (For the San Jose project, the steel section is filled with 10,000-psi grout for the structural core.) The modular nature of these prefabricated “sandwich” panels allows for faster erection speed, since the system provides stability without requiring traditional rebar reinforcing or the temporary formwork of a typical concrete core, and progress is not dependent on concrete curing times.

Also see: 3D conceptual video of the structural steel sequence

Also see: The American Institute of Steel Construction’s profile of Speed Core

Off-site, Schuff Steel fabricated the panels for 200 Park, which weigh up to 12.5 tons, and then shipped the panels to the construction site.

As described in a 3D conceptual video of Speed Core’s steel structure sequence that Level 10 posted, stanchions are embedded in concrete shear walls and the floor slab is cast. Below-grade wall panels are erected and welded into place. Grade-level seismic struts are installed. Grade-level slab is cast and the erection proceeds. Speed Core wall panels carry up to eight floors of steel prior to concrete.

 

200 Park Avenue Mock-Up Installation from Level 10 Construction on Vimeo.

 

Cutaway illustration of 200 Park in San Jose

The average floorplate at 200 Park will be 54,000 sf. Image: Jay Paul Company

Related Stories

| Feb 5, 2014

7 towers that define the 'skinny skyscraper' boom [slideshow]

Recent advancements in structural design, combined with the loosening of density and zoning requirements, has opened the door for the so-called "superslim skyscraper."  

| Jan 30, 2014

What to expect in the metal building industry in 2014

Every year brings changes. This one won’t be any different. We’ll see growth in some areas, declines in others. Here’s a little preview of what we’ll be writing about 2014 when 2015 comes rolling in.

| Jan 29, 2014

Richard Meier unveils 'urban courtyard' scheme for Mexico City towers

A grand atrium, reaching some 30 stories, highlights the contemporary, bright-white design scheme unveiled this week by Richard Meier & Partners for a new mixed-use development in Mexico City. 

| Jan 28, 2014

2014 predictions for skyscraper construction: More twisting towers, mega-tall projects, and 'superslim' designs

Experts from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat release their 2014 construction forecast for the worldwide high-rise industry. 

| Jan 27, 2014

A climber's dream: Rock climbing hall planned near Iran's highest peak

Forget the rock climbing wall. A developer in Iran is building a rock climbing hall. That's right, an entire building dedicated to the sport, with more than 48,000 sf of program space. 

| Jan 21, 2014

Comcast to build second Philadelphia skyscraper, with Norman Foster-designed tower [slideshow]

The British architect last week unveiled his scheme for the $1.2 billion, 59-story Comcast Innovation and Technology Center, planned adjacent to the Comcast Center. 

| Jan 21, 2014

2013: The year of the super-tall skyscraper

Last year was the second-busiest ever in terms of 200-meter-plus building completions, with 73 towers, according to a report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.

| Dec 31, 2013

BD+C's top 10 stories of 2013

The world's tallest twisting tower and the rise of augmented reality technology in construction were among the 10 most popular articles posted on Building Design+Construction's website, BDCnetwork.com.

| Dec 16, 2013

NASCC: The Steel Conference presents special seismic sessions

Twenty years ago the Northridge Earthquake shook California and the results surprised designers throughout the U.S. AISC and the steel industry is presenting a special series of sessions at the 2014 NASCC: The Steel Conference examining the lessons learned and the state-of-the-art in seismic design.

Sponsored | | Nov 20, 2013

Four faces of curb appeal

The Furniture Row retail center in Charlotte, N.C., incorporates four specialty stores in a distinctive, efficient structure. 

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021