Proj Overview

Project Overview

Owners of the newly expanded Girls Inc. health and wellness facility in Omaha, Neb., wanted a design that reflected their mission of being “strong, smart, and bold.” From the beginning the architect felt the scale, durability, and budget requirements for the project made insulated architectural precast concrete wall panels the obvious choice.

The 55,000-ft2 facility consists of a lower-level parking garage supporting a two-story gymnasium above. Due to the size of the surfaces and proximity to residential structures, the design team wanted to challenge what could be done with the concrete material to give the client a beautiful, energy-efficient, and cost-effective enclosure providing the highest potential return for their investment.

Precast Solution

The designers worked closely with the precaster to create a total-precast concrete enclosure system featuring 63 white custom panels with integrated insulation that completely enclose the gymnasium. Each panel features a rhythmic, fluted pattern to break down the scale of the building, which transitions from exterior to interior spaces enticing students to touch and feel the material. The flutes cast shifting shadows throughout the day to represent the individuality and growth of the girls of this organization.

Inside the building, the interior wythe of the panels remain exposed, eliminating the need for a metal stud and drywall system. The versatility, efficiency, and aesthetic opportunity of this high-performance product reflected the strong, smart, and bold mission statement of this organization. The result is a simple, cost-effective solution with grand appeal that exceeded the owner’s expectations.

 

Awards_
2016 PCI Design AwardsDesign Awards Honorable Mention: Custom Solution Building
Project Team

Architect

AO, Omaha, Neb. 

Engineer of Record

TD2, Omaha, Neb. 

Contractor

Lund Ross Constructors, Omaha, Neb. 

Owner

Girls, Inc. Omaha, Omaha, Neb. 

Precast Producer

Enterprise Precast Concrete, Inc, Omaha, Neb. 

PCI Certified Erector

Davis Erection, Gretna, Neb.

Key Project Attributes

  • Insulated precast concrete enclosure provide an R-value nearly double what is required by building codes.
  • Fluted design breaks the mass of the structure and adds visual appeal.
  • Exposed interior wythe of the panel matches the white exterior eliminating the cost and continual maintenance of painting.

Project/Precast Scope

  • Total cost of project: $12,750,000
  • Create a 55,000-ft2 addition to the Girls Inc. facility using an all-precast envelope.
  • Precast concrete elements include 63 insulated wall panels with 22 flutes of varying heights, widths, and depths.
  • Composite panels support the gravity and diaphragm loads from the roof and the second floor framing.