Proj Overview

This Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO) Plymouth, MN building is the first in their network to be fully equipped with all necessary facilities, including an on-site MRI, eliminating the need to refer patients
to other locations for advanced procedures. It is also the first TCO facility with three stories, making it a significant step forward in both design and functionality.

The building showcases an innovative mix of materials - brick, stone, precast, and metallic stain - all seamlessly integrated into a unified design. While TCO locations usually follow a consistent exterior facade, the design team tries to do something creative with each new building. This project leveraged precast concrete by replacing the typical metal band seen at the tops of other TCO buildings with more cost-effective prefabricated panels stained to match the metal used in other designs.

The structure includes a load-bearing precast system, which has been refined through experience. This is the design team’s fifth TCO project, and their growing familiarity with the possibilities of prefabricated systems allowed them to incorporate more advanced details, expanding the building’s aesthetic options.

The early involvement of Wells allowed the design team to fully optimize the building envelope system. With each successive TCO project, the team is pushing design boundaries while controlling costs, ultimately delivering greater value.

 

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Project Team

Architect

Sperides Reiners Architects

Engineer

BKBM Engineers

Contractor

RJM Construction

Owner

TCO Real Estate

Precaster and PCI Certified Erector

wellsconcrete.com

Key Project Attributes

One of the key challenges in this project was coordinating the precast panels with the steel structure. Unlike typical designs, where precast panels rest on footings, these panels were supported by steel, which can deflect or shift under load. To address this issue, the team worked closely with engineers
to ensure joint alignment and manage erection tolerances, thereby minimizing any potential disruptions. Additionally, the unique layout of the rooms and the steel structure necessitated some irregularly shaped precast panels. Thanks to the flexibility and problem-solving skills of the
precast team, who referred to this project as a “precast puzzle,” these complexities were
successfully managed

Project/Precast Scope

Architectural walls – 13,826 sq ft