Page 24 - ArchDC Fall 2018

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Interior of a residential unit.

apparatus bay contained, the [design and construction] team used 3D BIM [building information model] of the columns,” Stadler said.
a special acoustic block containing sound insulation.” “Field engineers then used a combination of 3D laser scanners and
Fitting the building’s mechanical and electrical systems into a traditional layout methods to help carpenters set, plumb, and close
tight package was another puzzle. “The height clearances required forms to prepare the columns for the pour, and dedicated finishers
for the squash facility, in concert with reconciling the structural and put the final touches to leave the grey finish on the columns.”
mechanical and electrical systems, was one of the most challenging WDG project architect Tamara Hopkins, AIA, noted that,
design problems we struggled to coordinate,” Stadler said. “The “while the building is small in comparison to a lot of other buildings
fact that the building’s [three] uses didn’t communicate or interact that WDG has worked on, it was not a straightforward, simple
with each other—but the systems for each of the uses needed to be project. The complexity and intricacies were underestimated by all
routed through each space—created a challenge of how to get all involved. But the development team, District officials, the design
these things in the limited ceiling space. The design team worked team, and the construction team worked relentlessly to make the
extremely hard to closely coordinate all the elements, so as to project a success. Being able to look at the building completed and
alleviate potential changes that might arise during construction, not see the evidence of the blood, sweat, and tears is the beauty
since there would be few options available to resolve conflicts at of architecture.”
that point. The team employed creative ceiling framing solutions The Square 50 project “was an ambitious design that EastBanc
around duct work in the residential unit ceilings, utilized metal fought to maintain the design intent and integrity of, throughout
grid ceiling panels in the fire station, and eliminated ceilings the entire project, regardless of how complex or difficult it might
altogether in many of the squash facility’s spaces.” have been,” Stadler said. “It’s a one-of-a-kind project to incorporate
Visitors to the squash court facility can view the building’s these distinct uses not only together, but with such expression and
structural system, which employs dramatic, V-shaped concrete distinctive identity. It’s a breath of fresh air within an otherwise
columns. To build that system, “the team utilized a preconstruction conservative block of buildings.”

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