PROJECT OVERVIEW
During
a multi-year assessment of the circa-1974 museum, the owner identified several
issues to be addressed. Most significantly, the precast panels on the exterior
façade were no longer viable, as they had compromised lateral attachments at
many locations. And because the original structure had been built in in a
fast-tracked manner, there were numerous
imperfections in its original construction.
The
initial project focused solely on the exterior 44,400 square feet of precast
recladding with a future contract to be awarded for the full revitalization of
the interior (60,000 square feet). The corrections also included the
installation of new waterproofing and insulation layers between the precast
walls and existing structure, which in turn enlarged the façade by 4 inches in
diameter.
INNOVATIVE PRECAST
SOLUTIONS
The
team incorporated the use of laser scans and data-point
modeling, as well as traditional surveying methods, to determine the existing
conditions of the underlying structure. The precaster, in turn, designed and implemented
an innovative system for hanging the panels that would accommodate the variable
conditions, while also dealing
with minimal to non-existent access behind the panels as they were installed.
Most
importantly, the panels needed to match the appearance of the original panels
when the museum was first constructed. That necessitated a painstaking effort
whereby the precaster’s team hand sorted the aggregate to match the existing
panels’ sand-blasted, exposed
aggregate finish. Additionally, there could be no part of the panel larger than
a quarter without exposed aggregate, and it had to be consistent in color (the
aggregate had seven distinct colors depending upon the vein of the rock).
Following the precaster’s internal QC
inspections at its manufacturing facility, the client performed an additional
30-point inspection of the panels upon their arrival at the site. The owner’s
representative, general contractor, and architect individually inspected every
panel from 10 feet. Procore was used to track and document inspections and the
resolution of any concerns. By project’s end, the team had erected 673 pieces
wall panels, along with numerous blended plugs and filler pieces wherever
access holes were needed to complete connections. All the precast panel
restoration work was performed as the museum remained open. The challenging,
and often complex job, was completed on time and on budget, bringing the iconic
museum back to its original grandeur.
|