Ft. Detrick Auditorium & Training Center
Rendering courtesy of Stantec.
By: Shawn Link, Project Manager
This 28,000 SF renovation project involves the construction of a 350-seat community auditorium and the expansion of the existing Education Center at Fort Detrick, MD. The building will remain partially occupied throughout construction.
A new building entrance is being constructed featuring new hardscaping, site lighting, and a new entry lobby addition with a blast resistant steel reinforced glass curtainwall system. The auditorium features theater style telescopic seating for 350 people, which easily retracts to form a 10,000 SF multi-purpose space. A new second floor slab is being constructed along with a new elevator and staircase to accommodate the Education Center expansion. The Education Center will consist of general and special purpose classrooms, offices and conference rooms complete with new telecommunication and A/V systems. A direct corridor connection will join the new space to the adjacent existing library and other community support activity space.
To facilitate the achievement of a LEED Certified rating, new energy-efficient mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems will be installed throughout, and the entrance addition will receive a green roof.
Current Status
The foundation work in the existing building is nearing completion. It involves modifications to the existing footings and column piers to support the increased loads imposed by the new second floor and the removal of existing columns in the auditorium. This work was complicated by differing site conditions that were encountered once the existing footings were excavated. Schedule impacts were minimized by working closely with the owner and designer to develop and implement solutions to the unforeseen conditions and keep the project moving. Additionally, the elevator pit is currently being constructed along with installation of the under-slab plumbing, electrical and telecommunication systems.
What’s Next
With the arrival of mild springtime weather, the demolition of the existing building entrance will begin shortly, followed by excavation and placement of the new entry lobby addition’s mat footing. After the foundation work in the existing building is complete, the second floor framing and metal deck will be installed, and the concrete slab will be poured. Once the new second floor is complete, the walls will be framed followed by MEP rough-ins on the Education Center side.
In order to provide a column free space in the auditorium, two existing interior wide flange columns will be removed. Prior to column removal, the adjacent columns will be retrofitted, and a rooftop truss system will be installed that spans the adjacent columns and connects to the roof girders at the points of column removal. The truss system will transfer the roof’s loads to the newly strengthened columns outside the auditorium space, allowing the columns in the future auditorium to be safely removed.
Shown above is excavation and installation of reinforcing steel at the perimeter spread footings. The existing footings are being modified to carry the increased loads of the new second floor.
Date Posted: March 26, 2012