Proj Overview

Project Overview

In a space previously occupied by a public parking lot and a reconfigured roadway, the 87,822 ft² Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) building in downtown East Lansing now stands seven stories and 107 feet tall. The Class A building features a mix of commercial and office space and was designed to include architectural elements complementary to other buildings in the area, including adjacent Michigan State University student housing. To bring the design to life, the project team specified structural precast concrete sandwich wall panels with an architectural mural that represents MSUFCU’s commitment to East Lansing and the wider MSU campus.

Pride Through Precast Concrete

Zero-lot lines within an urban area presented considerable difficulty to the team, who had very little space for project work. To address this issue, the design team at Fabcon of Grandville, Mich., developed a concept incorporating the use of insulated structural precast concrete sandwich wall panels. These panels could be erected quickly, possess resilient qualities for long-term reliability, and incorporate design elements that bring visual interest to the exterior of the facility while blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

The implementation of this design involved embedding a thin, glazed green brick into the precast concrete with a “dissolving” pattern. This approach creates a striking contrast between the main wall surface, which features a dark-gray hue, and the linear lines of each floor. To ensure the brick was properly laid out, the team at Fabcon followed special production procedures and paid close attention to details. This work resulted in the successful manufacture of nearly 10,000 ft² of 12-in.-thick, solid precast concrete shear walls; 4738 ft² of 16-in.-thick, solid precast concrete shear walls; approximately 23,000 ft² of 14-in.-thick, noncomposite insulated precast concrete shear walls with integral brick and a black concrete face mixture; and 37 precast concrete stair units with integral landings.

Building information modeling (BIM) was employed throughout the project to coordinate both the structural elements and interior finishes. Edge Revit/EDGE^R software was also used, enabling fabrication tickets to be detailed directly from the fully coordinated model and allowing the team to meet the aesthetic requirements of the unique brick patterning on the building. The Fabcon team partnered closely with the design and engineering groups throughout the initial stages of the project as well as during production and installation, ensuring a smooth and efficient process throughout.

The team’s meticulous efforts in crafting the architectural mural at the MSUFCU building resulted in a stunning combination of reflective brick and contrasting color that brings scale to the facility and inspires pride for the MSU community.

Mason Nichols is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based writer and editor who has covered the precast concrete industry since 2013.

 

Awards_
2024 PCI Design AwardsBIM Honorable Mention
Project Team

Owner:

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, East Lansing, Mich.

PCI-Certified Precast Concrete Producer:

Fabcon - Grandville, Grandville, Mich.

Architect:

Neumann/Smith Architecture, Southfield, Mich.

Precast Concrete Specialty Engineer:

PTAC Engineering, Monroeville, Ala.

Engineer of Record:

IMEG Corp., Farmington Hills, Mich.

General Contractor:

Granger Construction, Lansing, Mich.

PCI-Certified Erector:

Assemblers Precast and Steel Services, Pinckney, Mich.

PCI Associate Supplier:

Endicott Thin Brick and Tile LLC, Fairbury, Neb.

Project Cost:

$39 million ($3.5 million for the precast concrete components)

Project Size:

81,149 ft²

Key Project Attributes

  • To counteract limited space and zero-lot lines on the jobsite, the Fabcon project team developed a solution leveraging insulated structural precast concrete sandwich wall panels.
  • The precast concrete wall solution features a brick texture with two distinct colors that represent Michigan State University and blend seamlessly with the architecture of nearby buildings.
  • BIM and Edge Revit/EDGE^R software technology played a critical role in the work, enabling fabrication tickets to be detailed directly from the fully coordinated model and helping the project meet its aesthetic requirements.

Project/Precast Scope

  • A wide variety of precast concrete components were installed on the project, including 9868 ft² of 12-in.-thick, solid precast concrete shear walls; 4738 ft² of 16-in.-thick, solid precast concrete shear walls; 22,946 ft² of 14-in.-thick, noncomposite insulated precast concrete shear walls with integral brick and a black concrete face mixture; and 37 precast concrete stair units with integral landings.
  • More than 250 precast concrete pieces were used on this project, with a price tag of $3.5 million.
  • Precast concrete production began in November 2021 and was completed within seven weeks. Installation commenced on February 1, 2022, and was completed on April 28, 2022.