Proj Overview

PROJECT OVERVIEW

University’s new residence hall was critical to meet the growing demand for housing. Set in Cullowhee, N.C., the rural location of Western Carolina University presented challenges to attracting a strong skilled labor force which can impact the cost, schedule and quality of projects there if not well managed.

Also, the winter can be harsh, impacting those same factors. Working with precast concrete producer Metromont, Vannoy Construction proposed an all–precast concrete structure to help mitigate those issues.

Read more about this project in the Winter 2021 issue of Ascent.

PRECAST SOLUTION

The project absolutely had to be completed on time. A residence hall must be open in August. Precast concrete construction was a big part of making that happen. Up against a hard opening date, precast concrete was the best option to meet the schedule and to minimize disruption to students. Most of the precast concrete system was erected during the summer of 2018.

 

Project Team

Architect of Record & Engineer

Clark Nexsen

Contractor

Vannoy Construction

Owners

Western Carolina University

Precast Concrete Producer

Metromont Corp.

Key Project Attributes

  • Metromont’s Greenville, S.C., facility is close to the university site and has “a large capacity to manufacture a variety of precast concrete components concurrently,”
  • Precast concrete panels on the exterior feature thin brick with a running bond and a soldier pattern that is offset by a formliner pattern with an acid-etched finish.
  • The preinsulated wall panels were another benefit that will help the university keep utility costs down. At the same time, those walls will help dampen noise and meet fire code requirements.

Project/Precast Scope

  • 1372 total precast concrete pieces
  • 324 pieces of 11-in. insulated wall panels (R-16)
  • 501 pieces of 9.5-in.-deep MetroDeck   
  • L-shaped beams, rectangular beams, T-shaped beams