Events Facilities

A surging master-planned community in Utah gets its own entertainment district

dbarista — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 16:44:05 +0000

A surging master-planned community in Utah gets its own entertainment district

dbarista Tue, 04/09/2024 - 11:44

Since its construction began two decades ago, Daybreak, the 4,100-acre master-planned community in South Jordan, Utah, has been a catalyst and model for regional growth. The latest addition is a 200-acre mixed-use entertainment district that will serve as a walkable and bikeable neighborhood within the community, anchored by a minor-league baseball park and a cinema/entertainment complex.

John Caulfield, Senior Editor

Downtown Daybreak will include a baseball park and megaplex as its anchors.

Sports and Recreational Facilities

Adaptive Reuse

Reconstruction & Renovation

Since its construction began two decades ago, Daybreak, the 4,100-acre master-planned community in South Jordan, Utah, has been a catalyst and model for regional growth. The community is now home to more than 30,000 residents living in 9,300-plus houses. Construction of another 10,000 houses is planned through 2036, over which period the community’s population is projected to increase to at least 50,000. The community is also projected to have more than nine million sf of leasable commercial space by 2036.

Daybreak continues to be a “release valve” for the entire Salt Lake Valley, said Brad Holmes, President of Larry H. Miller Real Estate, a development firm that, in April 2021, purchased 1,300 acres of undeveloped land within the community. Last October, the developer broke ground on the first phase of Downtown Daybreak, a 200-acre mixed-use entertainment district that will serve as a walkable and bikeable neighborhood within the community, anchored by a minor-league baseball park and a cinema/entertainment complex.

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For over two years, Larry H. Miller Real Estate worked with a design team that included MVE + Partners to create the master plan for Downtown Daybreak. Tim Beuchat, Sr., an Associate Partner at MVE + Partners, declined to comment further about the project except to say that his firm was in construction documents for the neighborhood’s first two mixed-use buildings that will encompass residential apartments, retail, and district parking structures. Stephen James, the developer’s Chief Visionary Officer, did not respond to questions sent by BD+C.

According to Downtown Daybreak’s website, the district’s first phase will include 75,000 sf of retail and food and beverage space, 100,000 sf of office space, more than 300 residential units, parks and outdoor recreation that includes an ice-skating rink, an outdoor amphitheater and stage, and a third light-rail station for the TRAX Red Line.

Downtown Daybreak’s first phase will include spaces for retail, food and beverage, offices, apartments, and outdoor parks and recreation. Rendering: MVE + Partners

It appears that the housing being built for Downtown Daybreak will be mostly multifamily. One builder, Sego Homes, is promoting townhouses from its Sky Terrace Collection that range from 1,449 to 2,491 sf in size, and from $454,900 to $597,000 in price. Another builder, Holmes Homes, is offering nine floorplans from its Tempo Condominiums brand, ranging from $355,900 to $419,900 in price, and from 1,092 to 1,329 sf in size.

Sports and entertainment anchors

Currently, the Salt Lake Bees, a Triple-A baseball team affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels, plays at Smith’s Ballpark, a stadium with a 14,354-seat capacity. On opening day in 2025, the team—which Larry H. Miller Company owns—expects to move into its new home, a 7,500-seat ballpark in the heart of Downtown Daybreak. The privately funded stadium will offer a range of ticket options, from open-lawn seating to luxury boxes.

According to Ballparkdigest.com, the partners on the stadium’s construction, along with MVE + Partners and Larry H. Miller Real Estate, are Okland Construction, TallyCM, HOK, Urban Design Associates, Atlas Architects, and Loci Landscape Architects. America First Credit Union is Downtown Daybreak’s naming rights partner, and the downtown’s plaza will be called America First Square. (At presstime, the name of the stadium had not been disclosed.)

Downtown Daybreak’s other anchor, which Larry H. Miller Real Estate is building, is a megaplex entertainment center that will have between eight and 10 movie screens with luxury seating, 16 to 20 bowling lanes with lane-side dining, arcade games, a sports-themed lounge with access to an in-house chef and a scratch kitchen serving food made from fresh ingredients, and spaces for private dining, parties, and events.

The housing being built for Downtown Daybreak will be mostly multifamily. One builder, Sego Homes, is promoting townhouses from its Sky Terrace Collection that range from 1,449 to 2,491 sf in size, and from $454,900 to $597,000 in price. Another builder, Holmes Homes, is offering nine floorplans from its Tempo Condominiums brand, ranging from $355,900 to $419,900 in price, and from 1,092 to 1,329 sf in size. Rendering: MVE + Partners

Downtown Daybreak is projected to take 15 years to build out, with much of Phase 1 scheduled for completion next year. (The construction cost of this project has not been disclosed.) The district will be a 25-minute drive from Salt Lake City’s airport. It will also be near the University of Utah’s South Jordan Health Center, two other light-rail stations, two miles of Mountain View Corridor frontage, and 50-plus walking trails.

South Jordan’s Mayor, Dawn Ramsey, sees Downtown Daybreak as a “regional destination” with opportunities to create synergies. The new district “will rebalance the entire valley,” predicts Andrew Gruber, Executive Director of the Wasatch Front Regional Council, which 20-plus years ago came up with the idea for Daybreak with Envision Utah, a nonprofit business development advocacy organization.

Salt Lake City train station becomes a hotel

As Downtown Daybreak gets under way, downtown Salt Lake City is going through its own evolution.

Its new construction projects include the 225-key Asher Adams hotel, an adaptive reuse of the historic Union Pacific Depot Train Station. This Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, developed by the Athens Group and Hatteras Sky, topped off last October and is scheduled to open next fall. Okland Construction is the CM on this project, HKS Architects provided architectural design services, and JNS Design devised the hotel’s interior design. Pivot, a lifestyle operating vertical of Davidson Hospitality Group, will manage the hotel.

The historic Union Pacific Train Depot is being adaptively reused for the new Asher Adams Hotel, which will include a stunning Grand Hall (pictured). Photo courtesy Athens Group

Utah Business reported that The Athens Group is converting the train depot into 13 historic guest suites, and constructing an entirely new building with 212 modern suites. The hotel will include a 1,500-sf fitness center, 9,000 sf of meeting space, and 3,200 sf of open-air gathering space.

The Asher Adams hotel, as completed, will be attached to The Depot, a 17,000-sf live entertainment and event venue that is also connected to the Delta Center arena, home to the Utah Jazz NBA franchise. The hotel will be located near the city’s Olympic Plaza on the northside of The Gateway, a popular open-air retail, residential, and office complex. The Gateway offers 650,000 sf of dining, entertainment, shopping, and special-events space. The Gateway first opened in November 2001, and since 2016 has been owned by Vestar, a Phoenix-based real estate developer that specializes in shopping centers.

On February 15, The Larry H. Miller Company said it would invest $3.5 billion into the Power District, a historical development in Salt Lake City. The company’s new renderings of this 100-acre project include images of a stadium (the Miller family has long expressed an interest in bringing major league baseball to Salt Lake City). The company is working with Sasaki on the Power District, according to the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper.

McHugh Construction completes restoration of Chicago’s historic Ramova Theatre

rcassidy — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 15:41:57 +0000

McHugh Construction completes restoration of Chicago’s historic Ramova Theatre

rcassidy Fri, 04/05/2024 - 10:41

Adaptive Reuse

Adaptive reuse project turns 1929 cinema into a live performance venue, adds a brewery and a taproom, and revives the Ramova Grill in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood.

Performing Arts Centers

Events Facilities

Contractors

Adaptive Reuse

McHugh Construction, one of the Midwest’s largest commercial contractors, has completed the $30 million adaptive reuse of Chicago’s historic Ramova Theatre from a long-shuttered single-screen cinema to an 1,800-person concert hall in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood.

As part of the 36,000-sf project at 3510-3520 S. Halsted St., McHugh also built out space for Other Half Brewing, an independent craft brewery and taproom; Ramova Grill, an 18-seat diner; and Ramova Loft, a second-floor 200-person event venue.

JAZZ AGE MOVIE THEATRE CLOSED IN 1985

Ramova Theatre originally opened at the tail end of the Roaring Twenties and quickly became the jewel of the Bridgeport neighborhood with its neon red marquee and Spanish-inspired architecture. However, decades later ticket sales slowed, leading to its closure in 1985. Ramova’s historical and artistic significance was officially recognized with its addition to the National Register of Historic Places in 2021, the same year McHugh embarked on the building’s restoration.

“When we first arrived on the site, it was like a time capsule, with the ticket booth still in place – even with the same curtains from the day it closed,” said Andrew Totten, vice president of McHugh Construction. “But severe water damage destroyed large areas of the plaster ceiling, and the terracotta façade on Halsted Street was missing several parts.

The Ramova Theatre during reconstruction by McHugh crews. Photo courtesy McHugh Construction

“It was the exact type of complicated project our experienced restoration team loves to bring back to life,” he added. “McHugh has been around longer than the Ramova Theatre, so we knew exactly how and when to preserve, protect, rebuild, and start anew, like when we took casts of the building’s remaining terracotta pieces and had them remade. We were honored to return the building to its 1929 glory and create a magical experience for the community once again.”

For more than two years, McHugh Construction worked closely with project architect O’Riley Office, Baum Revision, and historic preservation specialists to meticulously restore the ornate architectural details in Ramova’s original Spanish-courtyard-style lobby and auditorium.

Pale-yellow stucco-style walls, red-notched archways and columns, decorative bronze wrought-iron faux windows and balconies, a clay-tile roof line, and a ceiling painted midnight blue – all were restored to evoke the beautiful and inviting hacienda ambiance.

VENUE OFFERS UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS OF THE STAGE

Gone are the velvety movie theater seats. In their place is a 22,000-sf, barrier-free multi-level concrete floor in front of an expansive stage. Rows of spotlights hang from the ceiling, casting multi-colored glows throughout the concert hall. The venue’s new speaker system amplifies the onstage vocals and instruments, connecting artists with the audience. Multiple bars were installed in the back of the auditorium, and a second-floor balcony was revived to offer clear views of the stage.

“The South Side of Chicago is home to the majority of local artists, but it has had the least amount of high-quality space for them to perform and hone their craft – from an aesthetic as well as acoustic point of view,” said Tyler Nevius, Ramova’s developer. “The city and the South Side needed this.”

McHugh Construction restored Ramova Theatre’s neon-red marquee in adherence to National Register of Historic Places standards to light up Halsted and 35th Streets on Chicago’s South Side, just as it did in 1929. Photo: Clayton Hauck

With an eye to attracting big-name performers, Ramova’s new greenroom is worthy of any A-lister, with four separate suites – each with full baths – and an office for tour managers to conduct business, said Nevius. To protect artists from paparazzi and unauthorized personnel, McHugh created direct paths for touring vehicles to arrive, unload equipment, and privately access the greenroom and performance area.

“Andy Totten and I talked with quite a few artists as part of the process,” Nevius said. “First and foremost, we wanted to create a place where they would want to come and perform. One that looks great, sounds even better, and where people can enjoy a show in comfort, which meant a five-star air conditioning system.”

HISTORIC PRESERVATION EXPERIENCE KEY TO SUCCESS

That required McHugh and its subcontractor teams to draw on decades of historic restoration experience to conceal state-of-the-art HVAC, electrical, sound, and fire protection systems within the early 20^th-century fabric of the theater building. McHugh also tapped its in-house structural engineering team, McHugh Engineering Group, for expertise on structural modifications and additions to historic and complex structures.

“Multiple times we went to the McHugh office and worked on the whiteboard to understand how to fit everything into the venue,” Nevius said. “It was incredibly tight to shoehorn everything in while remembering what’s essential. For instance, it’s very important for the audience to have immediate and clear access to the bars and bathrooms.”

Hiring locals on the project was also a priority. “It was important to us to have our teams reflect the community we’re a part of,” Nevius said. “We began working with McHugh because we wanted to have local contractors and diversity on the jobsite, which can be hard to do in Chicago, where there is so much development going on so there’s competition for labor, but McHugh made it possible. We had a tremendous number of workers that live in area.”

As part of the 36,000-sf project at 3510-3520 S. Halsted St., Chicago, McHugh Construction built out space for Other Half Brewing, an independent craft brewery and taproom. Photo: Clayton Hauck

Ramova Loft, the 200-person venue on the second floor above the brewery and taproom, offers space for smaller performances by up-and-coming artists as well as events for local schools and community groups. The parking lot across the street from the building can also be used for community events such as farmers markets, and an empty lot adjacent to the south side of Ramova has been reimagined as a new outdoor beer garden.

“It’s rewarding to see all the dynamic uses come together at this one location to create an authentic community anchor,” Totten said.

The adaptive reuse project was funded by local investors, as well as big-name figures like Quincy Jones, Chance the Rapper, and Jennifer Huston. Tax-increment financing subsidies from the city of Chicago, a state grant, and a Historic Places loan added to the package. McHugh drew on its experience in Chicago public-private projects, such as 43 Green and 508 Pershing at Oakwood Shores in Bronzeville as well as Ogden Commons in Douglas Park.

McHugh Construction revived Ramova Grill, an 18-seat diner adjacent to the Ramova Theatre. The original diner closed in 2012 after 82 years serving South Siders. Photo: Clayton Hauck

ABOUT MCHUGH CONSTRUCTION

Since its founding in 1897, James McHugh Construction Co. has earned its reputation as a builder of landmark, one-of-a-kind structures in Chicago and other areas of the country. The company specializes in managing multimillion-dollar projects, from ground-up new construction to complex renovations and high-end interiors. As a multi-faceted general contractor, McHugh constructs high-rise concrete towers, steel structures, and buildings using alternative materials such as cold-formed steel, heavy timber, and cross-laminated timber. McHugh has built and renovated iconic structures such as Chicago’s Marina City, Vista Tower, Trump Tower, Aqua Tower, Blackstone Hotel, and Navy Pier (including the 200-foot-tall Centennial Wheel and, most recently, the Sable Hotel at Navy Pier, Curio Collection by Hilton, and the Offshore Rooftop and Bar). For more information, visit www.mchughconstruction.com.

Retail center construction costs for 2024

dbarista — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:10:58 +0000

Retail center construction costs for 2024

dbarista Fri, 03/15/2024 - 14:10

Construction Costs

Data from Gordian shows the most recent costs per square foot for restaurants, social clubs, one-story department stores, retail stores and movie theaters in select cities.

Gordian

Data from Gordian shows the most recent costs per square foot for restaurants, social clubs, one-story department stores, retail stores and movie theaters in select cities.

Designers / Specifiers / Landscape Architects

The retail and entertainment industry is a cornerstone of American culture, shaping the social fabric with shared experiences, driving economic vitality and reflecting the diverse tapestry of society.

First impressions are often vital to consumers and patrons. The ambiance of shopping centers, boutiques, cinemas, and theme parks directly influence customer satisfaction. Cleanliness and public safety are at the forefront of customer concerns, necessitating immaculate, well-functioning facilities complemented by a welcoming, proficient workforce.

Facility managers and business owners are proactively upgrading to high-efficiency air filtration systems, incorporating touchless technologies, and redesigning spaces to enhance safety and comfort for all visitors. Adapting to environmental sustainability standards, customizing experiences to meet customer preferences and ensuring robust safety protocols are essential.

Gordian’s RSMeans Data can help estimate these costs. With localized, square-foot costs on over 100 building models including various hospitality industry facilities, RSMeans Data allows architects, engineers and other preconstruction professionals to quickly and accurately create conceptual estimates for future builds. This table shows the most recent costs per square foot for restaurants, social clubs, one-story department stores, retail stores and movie theaters in select cities.

Visit rsmeans.com/bdandc for more information about Gordian’s RSMeans Data.

Location	Restaurant	Social Club	Department Store, 1 Story	Retail Store	Movie Theater
National Average	$266.90	$219.57	$160.11	$214.35	$228.19
New Orleans, LA	$223.84	$183.73	$138.01	$175.69	$194.34
Miami, FL	$228.22	$185.42	$138.63	$178.52	$196.15
Phoenix, AZ	$238.78	$195.61	$144.13	$186.88	$205.23
Washington D.C.	$254.85	$209.67	$156.47	$202.56	$217.50
Seattle, WA	$288.61	$238.75	$172.87	$233.28	$245.44
Las Vegas, NV	$285.19	$233.47	$172.47	$232.14	$243.34
Boston, MA	$306.19	$253.37	$181.10	$252.54	$261.19
Los Angeles, CA	$311.14	$257.93	$182.38	$255.75	$265.44
Chicago, IL	$327.79	$268.76	$191.04	$274.51	$278.57
New York, NY	$350.82	$291.32	$204.60	$294.43	$296.88

Please note: Square foot models are used for planning and budgeting and are not meant for detailed estimates.

More building construction cost reports from Gordian:

How shopping centers can foster strong community connections

dbarista — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 16:34:30 +0000

How shopping centers can foster strong community connections

dbarista Thu, 03/07/2024 - 10:34

Shopping Centers

In today's retail landscape, shopping centers are evolving beyond mere shopping destinations to become vibrant hubs of community life. Here are three strategies from Nadel Architecture + Planning for creating strong local connections.

Mark Mikelson, Las Vegas Retail Studio Director, and Jas Le, Project Architect

Designers / Specifiers / Landscape Architects

Developers are increasingly prioritizing community-centric design principles to create spaces that not only cater to the diverse needs of local residents but also foster a sense of belonging and connection. By curating a diverse mix of retail, dining, entertainment, and recreational offerings, shopping centers can serve as gathering points where communities come together to shop, dine, socialize, and participate in a variety of activities.

An emerging trend in the retail industry indicates that consumers prefer shopping at centers that offer a mix of retail, dining, and entertainment options, signaling a growing demand for experiential shopping experiences. Moreover, it’s observed that consumers are more likely to visit a shopping mall that hosts community events and activities, highlighting the importance of community engagement in driving foot traffic and sales.

One exemplary case study of a community-centric shopping center is Freedom Plaza in Los Angeles. Developed by Primestor, Freedom Plaza was designed to be a reflection of the people of Watts, Calif., and to serve as a community-centric gathering space. This is reflected through an authentic and aspirational design which incorporates the culture of Watts in the architecture, with a major focus on the neighborhood center’s community spaces and gathering areas.

1. Shopping malls can build strong community connections through community events

While creating spaces for the community to gather is certainly important, for community-centric retail strategies to be truly effective developers and retailers need to actively make use of those spaces through community events.

Community events play a crucial role in bringing people together and fostering a sense of community spirit. Retailers are increasingly leveraging events such as farmers’ markets, street fairs, and cultural festivals to engage with local residents and create memorable experiences.

According to research by Eventbrite, 78% of Millennial consumers are more likely to be loyal to a brand that hosts events, underscoring the importance of experiential marketing in building customer relationships.

In addition to fostering gathering space for community groups, Freedom Plaza hosts an impressive slate of events, including summer events for the community’s kids, holiday events, block parties, and live music. Events are advertised on Freedom Plaza’s website and Primestor’s social media pages so community members are aware of each event and can experience them even if they weren’t able to attend.

2. Retail developments can partner with local artisans and musicians

Collaborating with local artisans, makers, and craftsmen is another effective way for retailers to forge connections with local communities and differentiate themselves from competitors. By featuring locally made products and artists, retailers not only support local economies and artisans but also appeal to consumers’ desire for authenticity and uniqueness.

As part of their event series, Freedom Plaza hosts Jazz Fridays featuring local musicians. In addition, open mic nights and writers’ workshops allow local artists to hone their craft and share their art with the community. Freedom Plaza also supports local artists through its very design. The neighborhood center features murals throughout, each painted by a local artist and holding significance to the community and its culture.

3. Offer support for charitable causes within shopping center event spaces

Aligning with charitable causes and giving back to the community are cornerstones of many retailers’ corporate social responsibility initiatives. By supporting local nonprofits, charities, and social causes, retailers demonstrate their commitment to making a positive impact beyond their bottom line.

Many of the events hosted by Freedom Plaza are about more than simply entertainment and feature some aspect of giving. Whether it be a backpack giveaway during back-to-school season, a turkey drive at Thanksgiving, or a toy drive at Christmas, Primestor understands that for its neighborhood centers to thrive, the neighborhoods they serve need to thrive as well.

Community-centric strategies are reshaping the retail landscape and redefining the role of shopping centers and retailers in local communities. By prioritizing community engagement, hosting events, partnering with local artisans, and supporting charitable causes, retailers and shopping center developers can create vibrant, inclusive spaces that serve as focal points for community life.

As consumers increasingly seek authentic, meaningful experiences, community-centric retail development offers a promising avenue for driving foot traffic, fostering loyalty, and building stronger connections with local residents.

Related content: Check out BD+C's 2023 Retail Giants Rankings

In today's retail landscape, shopping centers are evolving beyond mere shopping destinations to become vibrant hubs of community life. Here are three strategies for creating strong local connections.

Top building products for February 2024

qpurcell — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 19:48:41 +0000

Top building products for February 2024

qpurcell Thu, 02/29/2024 - 13:48

Products and Materials

BD+C Editors break down February's top 15 building products, from custom-engineered glass bridges to washroom accessories.

BD+C Staff

DELTA-TERRAXX drainboard system, KS Vektra insulated metal wall panels, and Sungate ThermL glass are some of the top building products featured this month.

Building Design+Construction editors bring you the top building products for the month of February. Collected across a variety of building sectors, these products save space, shield from the sun, and enhance energy efficiency.

From Twisted Sunshades to e-bike racks, here are 15 products being used in the industry today.

February 2024 Top 15 Building Products

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KS Vektra insulated metal wall panels

by Kingspan Insulated Panels – North America

Photo courtesy Kingspan

The KS Vektra insulated metal wall panels deliver a unique aesthetic profile and can integrate with other QuadCore KS Series panels to further provide distinct architectural flair along with high thermal performance. Available in thicknesses that range frm 2-6 inches to meet performance needs—the KS range of interior panels are available up to 8 inches thick—the metal wall panels can be customized with trimless ends and pre-formed corners for a clean, finished appearance. Both ranges of panels are suitable for commercial and industrial applications and are Greenguard Gold Certified.

DELTA-TERRAXX drainboard system

by Dörken Systems Inc.

Photo courtesy Dörken Systems Inc.

To meet higher building code requirements and urban water management standards with a high-performance option, DELTA-TERRAXX and DELTA-TERRAXX PLUS are being introduced in North America. These drainboard systems for horizontal, vertical and blindside drainage requirements balance strength, drainage performance, handling and installation ease. Comprising a unique TYPAR geotextile bonded to a dimple sheet, this drainboard technology withstands heavy structural loads, backfill or soil overburden, meaning the drainage space won’t clog and its drainage capacity remains steady. DELTA-TERRAXX PLUS has a self-adhering edge tab to make installation fast yet consistent, while DELTA-TERRAXX products are easy to cut and detail while their size covers large spaces faster with less ballast.

Millboard Envello Décor line

by Millboard

Photo courtesy Millboard

Designed to enhance siding installations, the Millboard Envello Décor line fits into the groove of the Envello Shadow Line+ Millboard siding, adding a metallic band between each vertical siding board. While these metallic accents deliver the appearance of sophistication and luxury, the cladding/siding trim is impact, weather and moisture resistant with UV stability. This decorative and structural aluminum trim is hand moulded, colored and finished in bronze, carbon or gold by master craftsmen. Décor Curve and Décor Shutter styles are each available in two sizes options.

Tofino E-Rack

by Sportworks Global

Photo courtesy Sportworks

The Tofino E-Rack is specifically designed for parking e-bikes and e-scooters with safety and security in mind and two integrated charging outlets. In addition to the company’s No Scratch bumper, the horizontal rack is compatible with U-locks to secure both the wheel and frame of a bicycle, making it compliant with APBP standards to prevent theft, while the rectangular cross-section is vandal-resistant. The ergonomically placed, UL-listed electrical outlets keep charging cables close to bicycles, which supports organized parking. A conduit fitting is included and easy access to grounding means the rack can be connected after being installed and secured. Available in a variety of materials and finishes, the bike parking rack can be installed in any indoor or covered exterior areas, and an ADA-compliant version features a cane-detectable cross bar.

Twisted Sunshades

by Construction Specialties

Savannah College of Art and Design's FORTY FIVE | Atlanta, Ga. | Education
Courtesy Construction Specialties

On the grounds of the Savannah College of Art and Design nestled within Midtown Atlanta, the FORTY FIVE combines residential, academic and wellness facilities into one complex that has a presence on the street, and the Twisted Sunshades aid in capturing the essence of the complex’s creative spirit. Functionally, the sunshades reduce glare and allow a filtered light ambiance within the building, while aesthetically the shading system creates a unique façade design with the illusion of movement. The Twisted Sunshade system is a metal extrusion with a consistent twist throughout its length that can be mounted starting at varying angles. Its two blade types—12-inch airfoil blades with a maximum twist rate of 5.625 degrees per foot or 2- by 12-inch rectangular tude blades with a maximum twist rate of 4.375 degrees per foot—can cater to different design needs.

Elvari Washroom Accessories Collection

by Bradley Company

Photo courtesy Bradley Company

A complete suite of stainless steel accessories, the Elvari Washroom Accessories Collection is designed to unify and elevate design in any commercial washroom space. With over 650 individual products, the collection delivers a cohesive yet sophisticated aesthetic while its maintenance-enhancing technology makes it an asset to facility management, with easy-to-read refill indicators; BradLock, a magnetic locking system; Wall Saver anti-slam operation; and more spanning the product offerings. Models come in many sizes, capacities and mounting styles to suit the needs of any restroom, and the minimalist design and palette of modern finishes can coordinate with other product lines and finishes.

LIGHTWALL 3440 system

by EXTECH/Exterior Technologies, Inc.

Buffalo Convention Center | Buffalo, N.Y. | 27,000 sf
Photo courtesy EXTECH

The recent renovation of a convention center has turned it into a community landmark due to its new exterior LED-lit façade featuring a custom engineered and installed LIGHTWALL 3440 system. The polycarbonate, translucent wall system can be backlit to produce various lighting, graphic or other aesthetic effects—all with a lantern-like glow and no glare. This signature façade features an interlocking 40-mm thick polycarbonate design that is durable and UV protected to maintain its color, while its insulated frame reduces heat loss, boosts energy efficiency and has a clear finish. During the design phase, the manufacturer worked with the project architect and construction consultant to ensure the custom system would integrate with the building face and install seamlessly.

Sungate ThermL glass

by Vitro Architectural Glass

UC San Diego Torrey Pines Living & Learning Community
Photo © Tom Harris, courtesy Vitro Architectural Glass

When paired with a Solarban solar control low-E glass on the second surface, the Sungate ThermL glass reduces heat transfer and dramatically improves U-values. This low-E coating is engineered for use on the interior surface of a typical 1-inch insulating glass unit to give the same look and feel as uncoated glass while maintaining high visible light transmittance. Ideal wherever increased insulation performance is needed, the low-E coating has a low reflective aesthetic and is colorless as well as durable and resistant to mechanical abrasion as uncoated glass.

Pergola Stretch retractable awning

by markilux

Photo courtesy markilux

Featuring an innovative, space-saving design, the Pergola Stretch provides a retractable pergola solution for protection of large spaces against sun and weather. Integrating seamlessly into any architectural structure, the retractable pergola is UV and water resistant, withstands winds up to 30 mph, and incorporates a flame-retardant fabric. Its motorized folding technique is both rhythmic and efficient, and an integrated gutter and columns at a low slope of 5 degrees ensure safe water drainage. Additional accessories can be paired with the pergola system, such as LED lighting, infrared heaters and privacy screens.

3form 2024 Color Collection of translucent materials

by 3form

Photo courtesy 3form

Drawing from sleek, modern architecture and cozy, familiar spaces alike, the 3form 2024 Color Collection features 13 new colors that are applicable on its Varia, Chroma and Glass platforms. The wide-ranging, natural-toned palette serves as a blank canvas for accompanying design elements, and the variations of color play with light and translucency. Suitable for use in healthcare, hospitality, retail or commercial spaces, the collection provides a wide range of possibilities for creative expression. The 2024 Color Collection includes: Curry, Clay, Nectar, Rockport, Wren, Rebar, Palladian, Mercury, Skylight, Sedona, Espresso, Teak and Chartreuse.

Aquarium glass bridge with Track Rail system

by Sightline Commercial Solutions

Audubon Aquarium | New Orleans, La. | Museum
Photo © Chris Granger, courtesy Sightline Commercial Solutions

To help highlight the more than 250 species of marine life found within, the Audubon Aquarium sought to add an element of excitement and novelty for its visitors with the installation of a custom engineered glass bridge by Sightline Commercial Solutions. Offering guests the ability to experience exhibits from various perspectives and angles as they traverse the aquarium, the 735-sf glass bridge is made of triple laminated frosted glass panels for a modern look and enhanced durability. Another optimized viewing experience comes in the form of 256 linear feet of custom designed glass Track Rail along staircases, overlooks and marine exhibits, which also enhances safety.

Rmax Below Grade

by Rmax, a division of Sika Corporation

Photo courtesy Rmax

Rmax Below Grade incorporates a durable water-resistant facer onto the closed-cell foam core to ensure an optimal solution for below-grade applications.The insulation solution meets the R-10 code requirements of below-grade commercial and residential foundations in most markets with only 1.5 inches of polyiso insulation, which enhances the energy efficiency of buildings by effectively insulating against heat transfer. Compared to other below-grade insulation options, this polyiso insulation requires 25% less material and less floor space per sf of inventory.

StoPanel metal wall panels

by Dri-Design, A Kingspan Group Company

Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown | Tempe, Ariz. | Hotel
Photo courtesy Dri-Design

Located across the street from Arizona State University, the project architects for a hotel sought to incorporate school pride into the building’s façade within a tight schedule and while surrounded by existing buildings, which was achieved with StoPanel Classic NExT ci and StoPanel Dri-Design metal wall panels. Turning a standardized system into anything but standard, notes of the school’s fight song are expressed in a specific design layout and with 11 different colors of the metal wall panel façade for the project. The panels are part of a partnership between Dri-Design and StoPanel TEchnology to create a non-composite, pressure-equalized rainscreen, architectural metal wall system.

Crossvile Beljn porcelain tile collection

by Crossville by AHF Products

Photo courtesy Crossville

Handcrafted in the U.S. and part of the company’s carbon neutral collections, the Crossvile Beljn porcelain tile collection is inspired by Belgium limestone but modernized with a decidedly contemporary color and sizing. With five hues that range from light to dark and two finish options, the porcelain tile collection ranges in size from 12- by 24-inches up to 24- by 48-inches, making it suitable for a range of indoor and outdoor applications. Because porcelain is nonporous, it will not fade, stain, harbor bacteria and mold, need to be sealed and is UV resistant. This collection joins the company’s in-stock program for quick fulfillment.

Omniplate 1500 barrier wall system

by Metalwërks

Armed Forces Retirement Home | Washington, D.C. | 19,200 sf | Government
Photo courtesy Metalwërks

To continue in its mission to serve aging veterans with health care needs, a new 160,000-sf campus facility was built to include rooms for long-term care, memory support, and feature amenities like a commercial kitchen, health center, dining room and more. As part of the facility’s planning and development, the design team, general contractor and architect set and achieved LEED Platinum certification as a core aim, and the use of Omniplate 1500 as the project cladding contributed to that achievement. In addition to its customizability in shape, relief and orientation, the panels are 100% recyclable with a high percentage of post-consumer and industrial content. The metal panel system—provided in solid 0.125-inch aluminum plate—received a Sherwin-Williams Fluropon coating after the fabrication process. Vertical reveal column covers, Tubular Trellis members, and curved and straight canopy fascia, soffit and cornice cladding from the manufacturer were also utilized for the project.

Top building products for January 2024

12 U.S. markets where entertainment districts are under consideration or construction

dbarista — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 18:50:09 +0000

12 U.S. markets where entertainment districts are under consideration or construction

dbarista Mon, 01/29/2024 - 12:50

Mixed-Use

The Pomp, a 223-acre district located 10 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and The Armory, a 225,000-sf dining and entertainment venue on six acres in St Louis, are among the top entertainment districts in the works across the U.S.

John Caulfield, Senior Editor

1. Tampa Bay, Fla.
A partnership uniting the city, the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, and the developer Hines plans to invest $6.5 billion over 20 years for a proposed 86-acre district anchored by a new $1.2 billion, 30,000-seat ballpark scheduled to be completed by opening day 2028. The district includes 4,800 market-rate residential units; 1,200 affordable housing units; 600 senior living units; 1.4 million sf of office, medical, and commercial space; 750,000 sf of retail space; a 50,000-sf African American museum; 100,000 sf of entertainment space that includes a 4,000-seat concert venue; 14,000 parking spaces; and 90,000-100,000 sf of convention/meeting space. Construction would begin in late 2024.

2. Miami
The 131-acre Miami Freedom Park was expected to break ground in late 2023. Its centerpiece is a 25,000-seat soccer stadium (the futbol team Inter Miami CF is the developer of this project, a multiphase redevelopment of the former Melreese Country Club). The district’s other components include a 58-acre park; 23 acres of playing fields; one million sf of office, retail, entertainment, and commercial; and 780 hotel rooms. Arquitectonica is the project’s design architect, Manica the stadium designer, and CAA Icon the stadium project manager.

3. Pompano Beach, Fla.
Cordish Companies and Caesars Entertainment are developing The Pomp, a 223-acre district located 10 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, that will incorporate the existing Harrah’s casino. This $2 billion project, which broke ground in February 2022, will include 1.3 million sf of retail and entertainment space; 4,000 residential units; 25,000 sf of food and beverage venues; 1.35 million sf of office space; and two hotels. Topgolf, which opens in late 2023, will be one of the district’s anchors.

4. Gainesville, Fla.
In September, Gainesville’s City Commission voted 6-1 in favor of creating a downtown entertainment district where public consumption of alcohol would be allowed from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. This multiblock district (whose final vote was scheduled for late October) comes on the heels of a strategic plan the city adopted in October 2022. That plan posited that, to attract more visitors and spending, the downtown area needed more bars, restaurants, performance venues, breweries, and boutiques. The strategic plan also calls for more affordable and mixed-use housing, and “a supportive local business environment” that unlocks real estate potential.

5. St. Paul, Minn.
Populous has designed the 34.4-acre United Village district around Allianz Field, a soccer stadium that opened in 2018. The district’s construction is scheduled to start in late 2023, and include 720,000 sf of office space; 200,000 sf of retail and entertainment space; a 300-seat music venue; two food pavilions; a hotel; 300 residential units; and a one-acre park that will be the district’s centerpiece.

6. Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas City, home of the popular nine-block Power & Light District, which opened in November 2007, has several projects in the works, including Pennway Point, a reimagining of an industrial site that includes a redevelopment of the Carter-Waters building on six acres. Last July, the project’s master-tenant developer, DaVinci, unveiled its first concepts for Pennway Point: the 6,000-sf Barrel Hall, which showcases some of the city’s favorite and authentic food and beverage brands; and Talegate, a 30,000-sf venue that features three F&B concepts: Beef & Bottle, Funk House, and indoor/outdoor Talegate Park. The latter’s programming will include music concerts and movie nights. The AEC firms working on this project include Collins Webb and Associates (architect), Lankford + Fendler and Associates (MEP), PMA (SE), Olsson (CE), and Whiskey Design (branding). A 150-foot observation wheel and mini golf course will be adjacent to this district.

As part of its plan to replace aging Kauffman Stadium with a new facility, the Kansas City Royals baseball team has submitted two proposals for entertainment districts, each devised by Populous. One proposal, known as East Village, would take up 27 acres downtown and be near the 18,000-seat multipurpose T-Mobile Center. It includes the new stadium, a residential tower, a 4,000-seat performance venue, conference space, and an events plaza. The alternative proposal would develop 90 acres in North Kansas City that uses as its model Battery Atlanta. It would feature an active garden area and 365-day events plaza. The Royals estimate that either proposal would cost at least $2 billion, and the team is hoping that its current lease agreement, where Kauffman splits a 3/8-cent sales tax with Arrowhead Stadium for maintenance, carries over to its new home, whose completion is targeting opening day 2028.

7. Anaheim, Calif.
In September 2022, Samueli, the developer that owns and manages the 18,000-seat Honda Center, home to the Anaheim Ducks hockey team, received approval to move forward on ocV!BE, a 100-acre, $4 billion sports and entertainment district that would be anchored by Honda Center and the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), which Samueli manages as well. ocV!BE will encompass 20 acres of parks and trails; 1,500 apartments (including 195 affordable units); a 1.1-million-sf office campus; 230,000 sf of retail and restaurants; a 5,700-seat concert venue; two hotels with a total of 550 keys; a five-acre riverfront park; and nearly 11,000 parking spaces.

The district will also be powered by an outdoor solar array that generates 6 megawatts. Construction began this year, and most of the district should be completed in time for the Los Angeles-hosted Summer Olympics in 2028. Its Building Team includes smith-clementi (master-plan architect), Fuscoe Engineering (CE), BuroHappold Engineering (sustainability), Populous (concert hall architect), iCrave (market hall interiors), and WATG (hotel architect). The parking deck team includes Choate Parking Consultants, Culp & Tanner, tk1sc, and RIOS.

8. Clarksville, Tenn.
VP Riverside Development has proposed the redevelopment of 30 acres where the Vulcan rubber plant once operated. The entertainment district, near Austin Peay State University, would have as its focal point an 8,000-seat minor league baseball stadium. The district would also have 330 apartments, a hotel, retail, restaurants, a live-performance venue (the size of which was not revealed publicly), and 1,045 parking spaces. McMillan Pazden Smith is the design architect on this project, and CSDG is the civil engineer, landscape architect, and planner. The project’s construction could begin by the third quarter of 2024, with the stadium being completed by late 2026 and the district completed sometime in 2027.

9. Charlotte, N.C.
Last February, a public-private partnership proposed the creation of a new Uptown entertainment hub that would link the 20,000-seat Spectrum Center (owned by the city and home to the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets), Queens City Quarters (an entertainment, retail, and F&B venue), and a new transit center. The district would encompass 12 city blocks, creating an entertainment corridor. More details are forthcoming, but if all goes as planned, construction within the district and for the transit center could start next spring.

10. Norman, Okla.
In early September, Team Norman, a group of city and university leaders, proposed a $1 billion, 200-acre entertainment district, 80% of which would be privately financed. One goal of this proposal is to establish closer relationships with the University of Oklahoma; 28% of the district’s space would be occupied by the university as its main tenant, and the district would include a multipurpose, 7,000-seat arena that OU could use for gymnastics, volleyball, and basketball. The district would have 754 apartments (increasing to 1,232 units by year eight), 127 single-family homes, and 50 townhomes. There will be 180,000 sf of office, 150,000 sf of retail and restaurants, a 150-key hotel, and acres of greenspace. Construction could begin next year.

11. Nashville, Tenn.
This is another Cordish Companies project that broke ground last summer. It is repurposing the historic George Jones Building into the five-floor, 50,000-sf Nashville Live! with a Draftkings Sports & Social dining venue, a western-themed PBR Cowboy Bar, an AVA Rooftop Bar, and a speakeasy-style bar that can accommodate 450 people. Phases of this project will be completed by the end of 2023. Nashville Live! will be two blocks from Bridgestone Arena.

12. St. Louis, Mo.
In December 2022, Green Street Real Estate Ventures opened The Armory, a 225,000-sf dining and entertainment venue on six acres, with six bars and a 62-foot stage. The developer expects the Armory to attract 1.5 million guests in its first year. Green Street is now proposing to transform 11 Midtown acres into Armory STL, an adjoining entertainment district fashioned after the Beltline in Atlanta, with a mix of offices, restaurants, retail, and hotel that totals 750,000 to 800,000 sf. Armory STL would be the vortex of a broader network that encompasses the Brickline Greenway trail system (under development by Great Rivers Greenway), which connects to four parks, a medical center, and the city’s Gateway Arch. The district would also be near a new Topgolf and St. Louis University’s campus.

Waterproofing deep foundations for new construction

dbarista — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 21:21:32 +0000

Waterproofing deep foundations for new construction

Amos Chan, P.E., BECxP, CxA+BE, Walter P Moore

dbarista Wed, 01/17/2024 - 15:21

This course covers design considerations for below-grade waterproofing for new construction, the types of below-grade systems available, and specific concerns associated with waterproofing deep foundations.

Below-grade waterproofing systems can be critical features of building enclosure design, particularly when the structure has a deep foundation. As the foundation goes deeper, there is a greater likelihood that it will encounter the groundwater table and hydrostatic conditions, which makes choosing the right below-grade waterproofing system even more important.

When selecting and designing a below-grade waterproofing system, the primary factors to consider include the type of foundation system, the project’s site conditions, product performance properties, and construction sequencing. The design specifications for a building’s foundation are influenced by the building size and structural system, as well as the site’s soil and geological composition.

Foundation systems are typically either categorized as shallow foundations or deep foundations. Shallow foundations are used when the structural loads can be adequately distributed to a relatively shallow level of soil. Examples include structural slab-on-grade foundations, footings, and grade beams. Deep foundations are used when there are more significant loads that need to be transferred to deeper soil or bedrock. These types include piles, caissons, and drilled shafts, among others.

While the structural engineer is responsible for the foundation design, the waterproofing consultant needs to understand the type of foundation being used to anticipate the various interfaces and conditions the below-grade waterproofing design will need to reflect. The proximity of the foundation to the groundwater table and potential presence of soil contaminants are critical factors to evaluate, and they can substantially influence decisions about the type of waterproofing membrane to select for the foundation elements.

To obtain a general idea of how high the groundwater table can be at the project site, one should review the geotechnical investigations report. These investigations are typically performed at the early stages of the project and can involve various subsurface and soil assessment methods, including borings. The report may document whether groundwater was encountered in any of the borings, and it may identify the historic high-water-table elevation or provide a recommended design groundwater table elevation. This elevation should be compared with the building’s foundation elevation, as well as the lowest of any foundation elements—such as the grade beam, footing, elevator pit, or sump—to ascertain whether hydrostatic conditions should be assumed for the project.

When reviewing the geotechnical investigations report, one should stay cognizant of the fluctuating nature of groundwater elevations and understand that the geotechnical investigations typically capture one specific moment in time. While the report can provide good insights, it does not always paint the full picture of the site’s hydrogeology. The geotechnical investigations report can also provide insight into past uses of the site, and whether contaminated soils are present. For example, former gas stations and auto repair shops are likely to have petroleum or methane contaminants in the soil. Other contaminants can include acid and alkaline water, insecticides, and fertilizers.

In coastal regions, subsurface saltwater is another consideration; the presence of subsurface saltwater may warrant the use of specific versions of waterproofing membranes designed for these conditions.

When selecting the appropriate below-grade waterproofing system for the project, one should also consider the owner’s budget and what they consider to be a level of acceptable risk. This information will inform your decisions and recommendations regarding certain waterproofing product features, such as whether membranes are fully welded, adhered, or taped. Construction sequencing may influence items like backfilling and soil retention systems, and by understanding the construction project’s timeline, you can guide the selection of waterproofing products with application methods appropriate for the sequencing.

Below-Grade Waterproofing Membrane Systems

Before diving into the different below-grade waterproofing product options, it is necessary to understand the difference between damp-proofing and full waterproofing membranes. Damp-proofing is defined as “the treatment of a of a surface or structure to block the passage of water in the absence of hydrostatic pressure.”

Some vapor retarders are considered a form of damp-proofing. In below-grade applications, vapor retarders are most commonly thinner sheets of polyethylene plastic intended to prevent the transmission of moisture vapor. Vapor retarders offer varying degrees of protection from vapor transmission, depending on the material’s vapor permeability. Vapor retarders with the lowest range of permeability are often referred to as vapor barriers, with vapor permeance values of 0.1 perm or less.

Installation of post-applied waterproofing membrane. Photo: Walter P Moore

ASTM E1745, Standard Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs, provides three classes for vapor retarders, all of which share a maximum water vapor permeance of 0.1 perm but have different levels of tensile strength and puncture resistance.

The 2021 International Building Code (IBC) specifies under-slab damp-proofing to be polyethylene sheets of a minimum thickness of 6 mil with joints lapped a minimum of 6-in.These vapor retarders are typically recommended in non-hydrostatic conditions where there is a low probability of direct contact with groundwater. Per the IBC, the parameters of hydrostatic conditions occur when the “existing groundwater table is above or within 5 feet below the elevation of the lowest floor level where such floor is located below the finished ground level adjacent to the foundation.”

Seams between sheets of vapor retarder are usually taped. Flashing at penetrations and terminations may use accessory tape, mastics, and/or termination bars. Below-grade waterproofing membranes are intended to protect the foundation elements from groundwater intrusion, especially in hydrostatic conditions. While waterproofing membranes can be vapor retarders or even vapor barriers, vapor retarders may not always act as waterproofing membranes capable of resisting water migration.

Most below-grade waterproofing membranes can be classified in the following categories: bentonite, thermoplastic, composite, self-adhering, or fluid applied. For sheet waterproofing membranes, the membrane seams may be taped, adhered, hot air welded, or torch applied, depending on the product technology.

The membrane manufacturers typically have specific accessory products to be used with the waterproofing membrane to form a complete below-grade waterproofing system. The IBC requires under-slab waterproofing membranes to be either “rubberized asphalt, butyl rubber, fully adhered/fully bonded high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or polyolefin composite membrane or not less than 6-mil polyvinyl chloride.”

IBC requires that waterproofing on below-grade walls extend a minimum of 12 in. above the maximum elevation of groundwater table. In most cases, the 2021 IBC requires as a minimum a 6-mil polyethylene vapor retarder under concrete floor slabs where hydrostatic conditions do not occur. Hydrostatic conditions are considered when the groundwater table is above or within 5 feet below the lowest subsurface floor elevation. Waterproofing is required per the IBC when the geotechnical investigation indicates hydrostatic conditions, and a groundwater control system is not provided in the project design.

For shallow foundations in non-hydrostatic conditions, a vapor retarder may be all that is needed. For deep foundations, there is a greater likelihood that hydrostatic conditions can be encountered, and full waterproofing membrane systems would therefore need to be used. Even in deep foundations with non-hydrostatic conditions, it may be prudent to include waterproofing membrane on vertical foundation elements such as walls, as most polyethylene vapor retarder products are primarily intended for horizontal under-slab applications.

In new construction projects, below-grade waterproofing membranes can be installed before foundation elements are constructed; these systems are referred to as pre-applied or blindside applications. Alternatively, the below-grade waterproofing membranes can be installed after foundations are in the ground; these systems are called post-applied systems. When choosing between pre-applied and post-applied membranes, the decision is usually driven by construction logistics, site constraints, and foundation construction methods. Installation of post-applied membranes requires soil excavation to keep foundation elements exposed after the concrete has been cast. That may be a reason to choose pre-applied membranes for some sites because deeper foundations would require a wider footprint of soil excavation if post-applied membranes were to be used. If shotcrete is being used on foundation elements in contact with the below-grade waterproofing membrane, pre-applied membrane systems are the only option.

Pre-applied Below-Grade Waterproofing Membranes

There are several types of pre-applied (blindside) waterproofing membranes, including bentonite, thermoplastic, and composite. Bentonite membranes typically consist of sodium montmorillonite clay granules integrated into geotextiles. Some products include an HDPE layer and a polypropylene layer for additional waterproofing protection. A distinguishing feature of bentonite membranes is that bentonite swells when it comes into contact with water, creating a monolithic barrier against the foundation. Bentonite can swell up to 15 times its original dry volume, and it has the ability to repeatedly re-swell when dried and hydrated again. To be fully effective, bentonite waterproofing membranes must be compressed against the concrete foundation elements to form a mechanical bond.

Seams can be mechanically fastened, or adhered using adhesive or mastic products, depending on the manufacturer. Thermoplastic waterproofing membranes for foundations are made from materials similar to those used in thermoplastic roofing products. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ketone ethylene ether (KEE), and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) along with reinforcing fabrics are key components of the waterproofing membranes.

The below-grade thermoplastic membranes tend to be in thicker forms than their roofing counterparts. Supplemental layers such as polymers or butyl adhesives provide the bonding mechanism that allows the membrane to integrally bond with the concrete foundation cast against it. Some thermoplastic membranes may also use HDPE. Seams are either heat welded or taped. Composite membranes consist of several layers combined in one membrane, typically including an HDPE layer, a protective coating layer, and an adhesive layer. Seams are self-adhered together. While each layer serves an intended purpose in the waterproofing membrane, there is a possibility of delamination between the individual layers, as the component in contact with the foundation is the only one fully bonded to the concrete.

Other pre-applied below-grade waterproofing products include modified bitumen-based membranes, such as styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer, often with a polyester or fiberglass reinforcing layer. These tend to be thicker membranes, and their seams are heat welded.

Post-applied Below-Grade Waterproofing Membranes

Post-applied waterproofing membranes can be either self-adhered or fluid applied onto the foundation. Because the waterproofing system is usually designed to be continuous around the foundation, installers may need full access to the exterior surfaces, and achieving that access may involve a significant amount of excavation.

Self-adhering waterproofing membranes designed for below-grade applications typically consist of rubberized asphalt with an HDPE film. When using self-adhering membranes, primers may still be required to achieve proper adhesion to the concrete. Membranes should be kept clean and free of dust and debris, particularly at laps, as the waterproofing system relies on strong membrane-to-membrane bonding at seams to maintain full effectiveness.

Fluid-applied waterproofing designed for foundations can be trowel grade or formulated for spray applications, and they are asphalt emulsion based and polymer modified. Because these products form monolithic waterproofing layers during installation, fluid-applied systems do not share the risk of seam failure that sheet membranes inherently possess. Maintaining a consistent, uniform thickness throughout the application process is the primary challenge with fluid-applied waterproofing membranes.

Deep Foundation Challenges

When site conditions and project design warrant the use of deep foundation systems, the structural components that the design team chooses may increase the complexity of the below-grade waterproofing design. Soil retention systems and any related elements that may disrupt the continuity of the waterproofing should be addressed and detailed during the design phase. Even supplementary items, such as concrete protection slabs, should be accounted for in the overall waterproofing strategy and discussed with the waterproofing manufacturer to ensure all items with which the membranes come into contact have been comprehensively reviewed and approved.

The following sections review elements that can be sources of deviations from an even and consistent substrate for the waterproofing membranes. Manufacturers will typically have system-specific guidelines and accessory products for these conditions, but it is still recommended to verify with their technical representatives whether the correct approach is being pursued on your project as the manufacturer will likely have specific warranty requirements.

Lagging Walls for waterproofing foundations

A lagging walls system is a common method of soil retention. The lagging walls consist of steel H-member soldier piles with infill material—either precast concrete, steel boards, or, most commonly, wood planks or boards—stacked between the steel flanges to prevent soil from entering adjacent excavated areas. These systems can be front lagged, which means the wood planks are positioned at the front of the soldier piles in the direction of the excavated area, or they may be middle lagged—with the wood planks positioned in the center of the soldier piles—or back lagged—with wood planks positioned in the back.

For the purposes of below-grade waterproofing installation, front lagging is the most preferable of the three options because it provides the most even and continuous surface for the waterproofing system. Middle or back lagging introduces gaps between the outer face of the wood planks and the soldier pile’s outer flange. Some waterproofing manufacturers may not allow gaps in the substrate over a certain width for the waterproofing membrane or drainage board—if being used—and infill such as spray foam insulation may be needed to reduce the gap widths.

Foundation Piles

Pile foundations are often used when larger loads must be transferred to a deeper level of soil or rock. When designing the below-grade waterproofing system around piles, it is important to consider the following questions:

What is the pile material? Concrete and steel piles tend to be the most common. Verify with the waterproofing membrane manufacturer which substrates are acceptable to them.
Will the pile be composed of more than one material? For example, concrete piles in a steel casing can present different risks than piles made of concrete alone. Waterproofing consultants may need to coordinate between the waterproofing manufacturer and the structural engineer to determine whether the risks can be avoided with a pile flashing detail that is acceptable to all project stakeholders.
Will the piles connect to pile caps? The shape of pile caps—in section—can have implications on the waterproofing membrane installation. A minimum dimension for the pile embedment into the pile cap will be required by the engineer for proper load transfer, but there should also be sufficient pile height for the waterproofing membrane under the pile cap to lap and flash onto the pile surface, as required by the waterproofing manufacturer. Between these two considerations, the greater dimension should be used.

These items can sometimes require several rounds of discussion and coordination involving the waterproofing manufacturer, structural engineer, and pile designer or engineer—if included—to satisfy each party’s requirements and to consider alternative design approaches. It is best to start these discussions early to prevent costly change orders or delays in the schedule.

Ground Anchors And Soil Nail Walls

Both ground anchors—also referred to as tiebacks—and soil nail walls are examples of soil retention systems that use steel elements—rods, bars, etc.—inserted into the ground and acting in tension. Ground anchors are prestressed before installation, whereas soil nails are not. Most of the steel rod or bar length does not interface with the waterproofing, but both systems typically have an exposed head of the steel elements with a bearing plate that faces the site excavation.

Waterproofing manufacturers may have a prefabricated cover to be installed over each anchor head, and the prefabricated cover is then integrated with the below-grade waterproofing membrane. If the specific conditions of the ground anchors or soil nails do not permit the use of the prefabricated covers, it is advisable to consult with the waterproofing manufacturer as it will likely be necessary to generate custom or project-specific details and accessories.

Internal Bracing

When tiebacks cannot be used due to property line or site constraints, alternative options for supporting the shoring wall, such as internal bracing, may need to be pursued. Bracing within the excavated site can involve rakers and/or struts. Rakers are diagonal components placed vertically against the shoring wall and on the ground, whereas struts are placed horizontally at excavation corners bracing two sides of the shoring walls.

If the foundation walls are poured around the raker and strut penetrations, the concrete and the below-grade waterproofing system will need to be patched once the bracing is removed. The waterproofing membrane patch should be integral with the rest of the below-grade waterproofing as indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions. Before the concrete patches are poured, water stops should be installed continuously along the perimeter of the patch, as each bracing penetration would have a cold joint with the rest of the concrete wall.

Shotcrete Walls for waterproofing foundations

Shotcrete presents several challenges for effective below-grade waterproofing that stem from the nature of the application process. These issues primarily arise from overspray of the shotcrete as well as the potential for more voids and cold joints than would occur in cast-in-place concrete construction.

Experienced shotcrete applicators and contractors are essential, as excessive overspray can affect the overall adhesion between the shotcrete and the waterproofing membrane. Shotcrete is typically installed vertically in “lifts,” which may introduce more cold joints than traditional cast-in-place concrete. Additionally, in blindside applications, the shotcrete applicators should take extra care in ensuring full coverage around reinforcing steel to minimize the amount of voids between the foundation and waterproofing membrane.

The positioning and frequency of reinforcing steel can occasionally block shotcrete from reaching and bonding to the waterproofing membrane, which could create weak points in the below-grade waterproofing system. Some waterproofing manufacturers have blindside membrane products specifically designed for shotcrete applications and specify that these products must be used on the shotcrete portions of the foundation. These topics should be thoroughly discussed with the design and construction teams, with the available options for waterproofing the shotcrete portions of the foundation evaluated against the owner’s risk tolerance.

Supplemental Concrete Slabs

In addition to the concrete slab-on-grade foundation, contractors may also propose providing a rat slab or protection slab. Rat slabs, also referred to as mud slabs, are placed over the excavated soil, often to provide a uniform surface for the waterproofing membrane installation. While the use of rat slabs can be an alternative to meeting the grading and compaction requirements specified by the waterproofing manufacturer, it is important to ensure that the rat slabs are smooth and free from surface inconsistencies that can puncture the membrane.

The manufacturer may also have concrete surface profile requirements for the exposed face of the rat slab that serves as the membrane substrate. Protection slabs are placed over the waterproofing membrane and are intended to protect the membrane from construction traffic and other potential damage before the slab-on-grade foundation is poured. In this case, the waterproofing membrane would become directly bonded to the protection slab instead of the structural slab-on-grade foundation, which is the more important component to be waterproofed. A cold joint would now exist between the protection slab and the structural slab-on-grade foundation.

For protection slabs to be effective instead of a potential liability, they should be properly designed with sufficient thickness, reinforcing, and cover. If the protection slab is too thin, it may be especially susceptible to cracking, which could compromise the waterproofing membrane’s performance. It is recommended to provide an additional layer of blindside waterproofing membrane over the protection slab, with this layer to be fully bonded to the structural slab-on-grade foundation, particularly in hydrostatic conditions.

Reinforcing Bar Considerations for waterproofing foundations

As concrete foundations go deeper, more reinforcing steel is installed. To keep the reinforcement in the correct position, reinforcing bar ties, which connect to metal clips, are often used. Each clip is a penetration through the waterproofing membrane and must be addressed in a method approved by the manufacturer.

Another risk is that reinforcing bars are too close to the waterproofing membrane. That could pose structural issues, such as insufficient cover on the concrete foundation element, as well as waterproofing issues since the waterproofing membrane should be in direct contact with concrete to achieve proper adhesion. Dobie blocks, which are small concrete cubes with metal ties, can be used as a simple way to position the reinforcing bars a standard distance away from the waterproofing membrane.

Conclusion

With any foundation, whether shallow or deep, it is critical to properly design and install the below-grade waterproofing system as the system will be exponentially more difficult to access or repair as construction progresses. Although deep foundations are more challenging to waterproof, early discussions and collaboration with the design team and engineers can be beneficial in developing a foundation design that is waterproofing friendly and minimizes risk.

About the Author
Amos Chan, P.E., BECxP, CxA+BE is an enclosure consultant with Walter P Moore’s Diagnostics Group. He can be reached at achan@walterpmoore.com.

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Top 20 Convention Center Construction Firms for 2023

dbarista — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 21:04:58 +0000

Top 20 Convention Center Construction Firms for 2023

dbarista Thu, 01/11/2024 - 15:04

Giants 400

Clark Group, PCL Construction Enterprises, AECOM, Hensel Phelps, and Gilbane Building Company top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest convention center and event facility general contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.

BD+C Staff

Events Facilities

Contractors

Giants 400

Top 20 Convention Center Construction Firms for 2023
	FIRM	2022 REVENUE
1	Clark Group	$293,400,000
2	PCL Construction Enterprises	$141,484,059
3	AECOM	$93,360,000
4	Hensel Phelps	$87,097,737
5	Gilbane Building Company	$57,214,000
6	Turner Construction	$39,205,388
7	Holder Construction	$30,000,000
8	Manhattan Construction	$27,761,262
9	Lease Crutcher Lewis	$27,025,522
10	Messer Construction	$23,798,879
11	Mortenson	$23,110,000
12	Sundt Construction	$22,017,578
13	Lendlease	$20,664,642
14	Skanska USA	$20,236,583
15	Alberici-Flintco	$10,608,681
16	McKinstry	$9,500,000
17	TW Constructors	$9,475,000
18	Miron Construction	$8,612,150
19	Clark Contractors	$8,591,313
20	Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, The	$1,960,973
21	AFG Group	$1,052,246
22	Cordogan Clark & Associates	$625,000
23	Kraus-Anderson	$496,700
24	Weitz Company & Affiliates, The	$141,529
25	Kitchell	$86,500
26	McDonough Bolyard Peck (MBP)	$24,448
27	Hill International	$22,840

Source: 2023 Giants 400 Report

2023 GIANTS 400 REPORT - TOP ARCHITECTURE FIRMS, ENGINEERING FIRMS, AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

A. Top 175 Architecture Firms
B. Top 115 Architecture/Engineering (AE) Firms
C. Top 75 Engineering Firms
D. Top 35 Engineering/Architecture (EA) Firms
E. Top 150 Contractors
F. Top 80 Construction Management Firms

2023 GIANTS 400 REPORT - TOP AEC FIRMS BY BUILDING SECTOR AND SPECIALTY RANKINGS

Note: All categories below except for 08 and 23 include multiple rankings for the sector: Top Architecture+AE Firms; Top Engineering+EA Firms; and Top Contractors+CM Firms.

01. Airport Terminals
• Top 65 Airport Terminal Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 65 Airport Terminal Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 60 Airport Terminal Contractors and CM Firms

02. Convention Centers/Conference Centers
• Top 40 Convention Center Architecture + AE Firms
• Top 30 Convention Center Engineering + EA Firms
• Top 20 Convention Center Contractors + CM Firms

03. Cultural Facilities – All Cultural Facilities Work
• Top 110 Cultural Facilities Architecture and AE Firms – All Cultural Facilities Work
• Top 60 Cultural Facilities Engineering and EA Firms – All Cultural Facilities Work
• Top 65 Cultural Facilities Contractors and CM Firms – All Cultural Facilities Work

04. Cultural Facilities – Museums and Galleries
• Top 70 Cultural Facilities Architecture and AE Firms – Museums and Galleries
• Top 40 Cultural Facilities Engineering and EA Firms – Museums and Galleries
• Top 40 Cultural Facilities Contractors and CM Firms – Museums and Galleries

05. Cultural Facilities – Performing Arts and Concert Venues
• Top 60 Cultural Facilities Architecture and AE Firms – Performing Arts and Concert Venues
• Top 40 Cultural Facilities Engineering and EA Firms – Performing Arts and Concert Venues
• Top 35 Cultural Facilities Contractors and CM Firms – Performing Arts and Concert Venues

06. Cultural Facilities – Public Libraries
• Top 50 Cultural Facilities Architecture and AE Firms – Public Libraries
• Top 30 Cultural Facilities Engineering and EA Firms – Public Libraries
• Top 20 Cultural Facilities Contractors and CM Firms – Public Libraries

07. Data Centers
• Top 30 Data Center Sector Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 60 Data Center Sector Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 50 Data Center Sector Contractors and CM Firms

08. Design-Build Work
• Top 90 Design-Build Construction Firms

09. Government - All Government Buildings Work
• Top 170 Government Sector Architecture + AE Firms - All Government Work
• Top 90 Government Sector Engineering + EA Firms - All Government Work
• Top 100 Government Sector Contractors + CM Firms - All Government Work

10. Government - Federal Civilian Government
• Top 70 Federal Government Architecture + AE Firms
• Top 60 Federal Government Engineering + EA Firms
• Top 50 Federal Government Contractors + CM Firms

11. Government - Local Government Buildings
• Top 150 Local Government Architecture + AE Firms
• Top 80 Local Government Engineering + EA Firms
• Top 80 Local Government Contractors + CM Firms

12. Government - State Government Buildings
• Top 90 State Government Architecture + AE Firms
• Top 50 State Government Engineering + EA Firms
• Top 50 State Government Contractors + CM Firms

13. Government - Military
• Top 40 Military Facility Architecture + AE Firms
• Top 50 Military Facility Engineering + EA Firms
• Top 35 Military Facility Contractors + CM Firms

14. Government - Veterans Administration Facilities
• Top 35 Veterans Affairs (VA) Facility Architecture + AE Firms
• Top 20 Veterans Affairs (VA) Facility Engineering + EA Firms
• Top 15 Veterans Affairs (VA) Facility Contractors + CM Firms

15. Healthcare – All Healthcare Facilities Work
• Top 175 Healthcare Sector Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 90 Healthcare Sector Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 115 Healthcare Sector Contractors and CM Firms

16. Healthcare – Hospitals
• Top 130 Hospital Facility Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 80 Hospital Facility Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 90 Hospital Facility Contractors and CM Firms

17. Healthcare – Medical Office Buildings, Dental Offices
• Top 110 Medical Office Building Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 50 Medical Office Building Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 70 Medical Office Building Contractors and CM Firms

18. Healthcare – Outpatient Facilities
• Top 100 Outpatient Facility Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 40 Outpatient Facility Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 60 Outpatient Facility Contractors and CM Firms

19. Hospitality – All Hospitality Facilities Work (Hotels, Resorts, Casinos)
• Top 130 Hospitality Facility Sector Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 75 Hospitality Facility Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 80 Hospitality Facility Contractors and CM Firms

20. Hospitality — Hotel, Resorts
• Top 120 Hotel Sector Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 70 Hotel and Resort Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 80 Hotel and Resort Contractors and CM Firms

21. Hospitality — Casinos
• Top 10 Casino Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 25 Casino Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 25 Casino Contractors and CM Firms

22. Industrial Buildings — Manufacturing Plants, Warehouses
• Top 100 Industrial Facility Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 90 Industrial Facility Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 100 Industrial Facility Contractors and CM Firms

23. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)
• Top 20 Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Construction Firms

24. Multifamily — All Multifamily Facilities Work
Top 190 Multifamily Sector Architecture and AE Firms — All Multifamily Facilities Work
Top 75 Multifamily Sector Engineering and EA Firms — All Multifamily Facilities Work
Top 115 Multifamily Sector Contractors and CM Firms — All Multifamily Facilities Work

25. Multifamily — Apartments, Condominiums
Top 160 Multifamily Sector Architecture and AE Firms — Apartments, Condominiums Work
Top 70 Multifamily Sector Engineering and EA Firms — Apartments, Condominiums Work
Top 100 Multifamily Sector Contractors and CM Firms — Apartments, Condominiums Work

26. Multifamily — Senior Living Facilities
Top 80 Multifamily Sector Architecture and AE Firms — Senior Living Facilities
Top 40 Multifamily Sector Engineering and EA Firms — Senior Living Facilities
Top 60 Multifamily Sector Contractors and CM Firms — Senior Living Facilities

27. Multifamily — Student Housing Facilities
Top 90 Multifamily Sector Architecture and AE Firms — Student Housing Facilities
Top 30 Multifamily Sector Engineering and EA Firms — Student Housing Facilities
Top 40 Multifamily Sector Contractors and CM Firms — Student Housing Facilities

28. Office — All Office Building Work
• Top 200 Office Sector Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 90 Office Sector Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 120 Office Sector Contractors and CM Firms

29. Office — Buildings/Core+Shell
• Top 140 Office Building Core+Shell Architecture + AE Firms
• Top 80 Office Building Core+Shell Engineering + EA Firms
• Top 100 Office Building Core+Shell Contractors and CM Firms

30. Office — Workplace/Interior Fitouts
• Top 160 Workplace/Interior Fitout Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 50 Workplace/Interior Fitout Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 80 Workplace/Interior Fitout Contractors and CM Firms

31. Parking Structures
• Top 60 Parking Structure Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 45 Parking Structure Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 55 Parking Structure Contractors + CM Firms

32. Public Safety/Justice Facilities
• Top 90 Justice Facility/Public Safety Sector Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 60 Justice Facility/Public Safety Sector Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 50 Justice Facility/Public Safety Contractors + CM Firms

33. Reconstruction Work
• Top 200 Reconstruction Sector Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 70 Reconstruction Sector Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 140 Reconstruction Sector Contractors + CM Firms

34. Religious Structures/Places of Worship
• Top 80 Religious Facility Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 50 Religious Facility Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 40 Religious Facility Contractors + CM Firms

35. Retail — All Retail Buildings Work
• Top 140 Retail Sector Architecture and AE Firms — All Retail Buildings Work
• Top 75 Retail Sector Engineering and EA Firms — All Retail Buildings Work
• Top 80 Retail Sector Contractors and CM Firms — All Retail Buildings Work

36. Retail — Entertainment Centers, Cineplexes, Theme Parks
• Top 30 Retail Architecture and AE Firms — Entertainment Centers, Cineplexes, Theme Parks
• Top 40 Retail Engineering and EA Firms — Entertainment Centers, Cineplexes, Theme Parks
• Top 40 Retail Contractors and CM Firms — Entertainment Centers, Cineplexes, Theme Parks

37. Retail — Malls, Big Box Stores, Strip Centers
• Top 90 Retail Architecture and AE Firms - Malls, Big Box Stores, Strip Centers
• Top 60 Retail Engineering and EA Firms — Malls, Big Box Stores, Strip Centers
• Top 60 Retail Contractors and CM Firms — Malls, Big Box Stores, Strip Centers

38. Retail — Restaurants
• Top 90 Retail Architecture and AE Firms — Restaurants
• Top 40 Retail Engineering and EA Firms — Restaurants
• Top 40 Retail Contractors and CM Firms — Restaurants

39. Science & Technology (S+T) Facilities - All S+T Buildings Work
• Top 100 Science + Technology Facility Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 70 Science + Technology Facility Engineering and EA Firms
• Top of 80 Science + Technology Facility Contractors and CM Firms

40. Science & Technology — Laboratories
• Top 100 Laboratory Facility Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 60 Laboratory Facility Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 55 Laboratory Facility Contractors and CM Firms

41. Schools — PK-12, Public, Private, Charter, Military
• Top 170 K-12 School Sector Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 80 K-12 School Sector Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 100 K-12 School Sector Contractors and CM Firms

42. Sports Facilities/Stadiums/Recreation Facilities
• Top 130 Sports Facility Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 70 Sports Facility Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 70 Sports Facility Contractors and CM Firms

43. Telecommunications Buildings
• Top 10 Telecommunications Facility Sector Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 25 Telecommunications Facility Sector Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 10 Telecommunications Facilities Contractors + CM Firms

44. Transit Facilities — Bus/Rail Terminals and Stations
• Top 40 Transit Facility Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 40 Transit Facility Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 25 Transit Facilities Contractors + CM Firms

45. University / College Facilities
• Top 170 University Sector Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 80 University Sector Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 100 University Sector Contractors and CM Firms

PAST GIANTS 400 REPORTS

2022 Giants 400 Report
2021 Giants 400 Report
2020 Giants 400 Report
2019 Giants 300 Report
2018 Giants 300 Report
2017 Giants 300 Report

Top 30 Convention Center Engineering Firm for 2023

dbarista — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 21:04:53 +0000

Top 30 Convention Center Engineering Firm for 2023

dbarista Thu, 01/11/2024 - 15:04

Giants 400

Walter P Moore, KPFF Consulting Engineers, AECOM, Tetra Tech, and ESD head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest convention center and event facility engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.

BD+C Staff

Events Facilities

Engineers

Giants 400

Top 30 Convention Center Engineering Firm for 2023
	FIRM	2022 REVENUE
1	Walter P Moore	$7,304,353
2	KPFF Consulting Engineers	$6,911,192
3	AECOM	$4,500,000
4	Tetra Tech High Performance Buildings Group	$4,161,734
5	ESD (now Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.)	$2,616,935
6	IMEG	$2,220,300
7	Jensen Hughes	$2,092,197
8	Syska Hennessy Group	$2,048,881
9	Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates	$1,887,000
10	Magnusson Klemencic Associates	$1,768,986
11	Arup	$1,633,214
12	BKF Engineers	$1,361,576
13	Henderson Engineers	$1,228,956
14	CMTA	$1,205,311
15	Alfa Tech Consulting Engineers	$1,140,000
16	Jaros, Baum & Bolles	$929,888
17	TW Constructors	$870,000
18	ME Engineers	$800,000
19	Martin/Martin	$670,253
20	ISG	$628,380
21	McKinstry	$500,000
22	NV5 Global	$360,956
23	Salas O'Brien	$245,003
24	Halff	$151,000
25	Dunham Associates	$150,000
26	Arora Engineers	$121,539
27	Bennett & Pless	$91,242
28	Vanderweil Engineers	$82,200
29	Morrison Hershfield	$78,006
30	Osborn Engineering	$75,000
31	Burns & McDonnell	$63,388
32	Kohrs Lonnemann Heil Engineers (KLH)	$36,197
33	raSmith	$18,713
34	Jordan & Skala Engineers	$17,751
35	Schaefer	$10,200
36	Newcomb & Boyd	$8,430

Source: 2023 Giants 400 Report

2023 GIANTS 400 REPORT - TOP ARCHITECTURE FIRMS, ENGINEERING FIRMS, AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

2023 GIANTS 400 REPORT - TOP AEC FIRMS BY BUILDING SECTOR AND SPECIALTY RANKINGS

Note: All categories below except for 08 and 23 include multiple rankings for the sector: Top Architecture+AE Firms; Top Engineering+EA Firms; and Top Contractors+CM Firms.

07. Data Centers
• Top 30 Data Center Sector Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 60 Data Center Sector Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 50 Data Center Sector Contractors and CM Firms

08. Design-Build Work
• Top 90 Design-Build Construction Firms

13. Government - Military
• Top 40 Military Facility Architecture + AE Firms
• Top 50 Military Facility Engineering + EA Firms
• Top 35 Military Facility Contractors + CM Firms

31. Parking Structures
• Top 60 Parking Structure Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 45 Parking Structure Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 55 Parking Structure Contractors + CM Firms

PAST GIANTS 400 REPORTS

2022 Giants 400 Report
2021 Giants 400 Report
2020 Giants 400 Report
2019 Giants 300 Report
2018 Giants 300 Report
2017 Giants 300 Report

Top 40 Convention Center Architecture Firms for 2023

dbarista — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 21:04:41 +0000

Top 40 Convention Center Architecture Firms for 2023

dbarista Thu, 01/11/2024 - 15:04

Giants 400

TVS, Populous, Arcadis North America, Gensler, and EUA top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest convention center and event facility architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.

BD+C Staff

Top 40 Convention Center Architecture Firms for 2023
	FIRM	2022 REVENUE
1	TVS	$16,324,404
2	Populous	$8,399,834
3	Arcadis North America	$7,322,842
4	Gensler	$6,895,367
5	EUA	$6,460,000
6	LMN Architects	$6,128,000
7	RATIO Design	$4,851,378
8	Stantec	$2,967,225
9	Parkhill	$2,517,660
10	Orcutt \| Winslow	$2,439,980
11	Moody Nolan	$2,280,534
12	Kohn Pedersen Fox	$1,802,376
13	Skidmore, Owings & Merrill	$1,345,000
14	TSK Architects	$1,065,940
15	HOK	$1,050,402
16	Manning	$488,260
17	Goodwyn Mills Cawood	$465,093
18	Fennick McCredie Architecture	$458,463
19	Gresham Smith	$430,513
20	Crawford Architects	$400,300
21	Ayers Saint Gross	$388,349
22	Smallwood	$265,517
23	Perkins&Will	$245,998
24	Clark & Enersen	$206,985
25	Becker Morgan Group	$136,362
26	TowerPinkster	$131,798
27	Mithun	$96,574
28	INVISION Architecture	$87,158
29	HMC Architects	$64,704
30	Cushing Terrell	$49,482
31	BRP Architects	$49,123
32	WATG	$48,230
33	CSO	$46,973
34	DAG Architects	$46,881
35	Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón	$35,000
36	Michael Baker Intl.	$29,921
37	Method Architecture	$28,035
38	CPL Architecture, Engineering, Planning	$22,139
39	Lord Aeck Sargent Planning & Design	$20,162
40	Hafer	$16,720
41	Kirksey Architecture	$13,271
42	MKM Architecture + Design	$3,700
43	Design Collaborative	$2,495

Source: 2023 Giants 400 Report

2023 GIANTS 400 REPORT - TOP ARCHITECTURE FIRMS, ENGINEERING FIRMS, AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

2023 GIANTS 400 REPORT - TOP AEC FIRMS BY BUILDING SECTOR AND SPECIALTY RANKINGS

Note: All categories below except for 08 and 23 include multiple rankings for the sector: Top Architecture+AE Firms; Top Engineering+EA Firms; and Top Contractors+CM Firms.

07. Data Centers
• Top 30 Data Center Sector Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 60 Data Center Sector Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 50 Data Center Sector Contractors and CM Firms

08. Design-Build Work
• Top 90 Design-Build Construction Firms

13. Government - Military
• Top 40 Military Facility Architecture + AE Firms
• Top 50 Military Facility Engineering + EA Firms
• Top 35 Military Facility Contractors + CM Firms

31. Parking Structures
• Top 60 Parking Structure Architecture and AE Firms
• Top 45 Parking Structure Engineering and EA Firms
• Top 55 Parking Structure Contractors + CM Firms

PAST GIANTS 400 REPORTS

2022 Giants 400 Report
2021 Giants 400 Report
2020 Giants 400 Report
2019 Giants 300 Report
2018 Giants 300 Report
2017 Giants 300 Report

Events Facilities

A surging master-planned community in Utah gets its own entertainment district

Sports and entertainment anchors

Salt Lake City train station becomes a hotel

McHugh Construction completes restoration of Chicago’s historic Ramova Theatre

JAZZ AGE MOVIE THEATRE CLOSED IN 1985

VENUE OFFERS UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS OF THE STAGE

HISTORIC PRESERVATION EXPERIENCE KEY TO SUCCESS

ABOUT MCHUGH CONSTRUCTION

Retail center construction costs for 2024

How shopping centers can foster strong community connections

1. Shopping malls can build strong community connections through community events

2. Retail developments can partner with local artisans and musicians

3. Offer support for charitable causes within shopping center event spaces

Top building products for February 2024

February 2024 Top 15 Building Products

by Kingspan Insulated Panels – North America

by Dörken Systems Inc.

by Millboard

by Sportworks Global

by Construction Specialties

by Bradley Company

by EXTECH/Exterior Technologies, Inc.

by Vitro Architectural Glass

by markilux

by 3form

by Sightline Commercial Solutions

by Rmax, a division of Sika Corporation

by Dri-Design, A Kingspan Group Company

by Crossville by AHF Products

by Metalwërks

RELATED:

12 U.S. markets where entertainment districts are under consideration or construction

Waterproofing deep foundations for new construction

Below-Grade Waterproofing Membrane Systems

Pre-applied Below-Grade Waterproofing Membranes

Post-applied Below-Grade Waterproofing Membranes

Deep Foundation Challenges

Lagging Walls for waterproofing foundations

Foundation Piles

Ground Anchors And Soil Nail Walls

Internal Bracing

Shotcrete Walls for waterproofing foundations

Supplemental Concrete Slabs

Reinforcing Bar Considerations for waterproofing foundations

Conclusion

Top 20 Convention Center Construction Firms for 2023

2023 GIANTS 400 REPORT - TOP ARCHITECTURE FIRMS, ENGINEERING FIRMS, AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

2023 GIANTS 400 REPORT - TOP AEC FIRMS BY BUILDING SECTOR AND SPECIALTY RANKINGS

PAST GIANTS 400 REPORTS

Top 30 Convention Center Engineering Firm for 2023

2023 GIANTS 400 REPORT - TOP ARCHITECTURE FIRMS, ENGINEERING FIRMS, AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

2023 GIANTS 400 REPORT - TOP AEC FIRMS BY BUILDING SECTOR AND SPECIALTY RANKINGS

PAST GIANTS 400 REPORTS

Top 40 Convention Center Architecture Firms for 2023

2023 GIANTS 400 REPORT - TOP ARCHITECTURE FIRMS, ENGINEERING FIRMS, AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES

2023 GIANTS 400 REPORT - TOP AEC FIRMS BY BUILDING SECTOR AND SPECIALTY RANKINGS

PAST GIANTS 400 REPORTS