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...team had to coordinate the delivery of the donated materials from various sources and synchronize the material’s use with various subcontractors and work within the limitations of a limited lay down area.
Some other challenges included ensuring the safety of the crew due to the building height and location, as well as developing new footprints for the building to accommodate many areas in the original plans that did not line up with the existing block-outs required for the coring process.
Another factor complicating the construction process was the sustainable aspect of the building. Expected to earn LEED silver certification, the project used such green features as high-efficiency mechanical systems, photovoltaic arrays to produce solar energy and a highly reflective roof to reduce heat build-up from the sun’s rays with sun shades on the windows to reduce cooling costs.
Landscape design using native and drought-tolerant resistant plants and water-efficient plumbing and programmable water systems are expected to save the project more than 150,000 gallons of water a year.
The project team also used recycled content on more than 18% of the project and recycled more than 50% of construction waste.
Thinking for the future, the project team also designed the building to cut down on maintenance costs. In some instances, the selected method of installing a system or component incurred a greater upfront cost but would save the charity money over time.
For example, rather than installing HVAC package units on the roof, where it would be a maintenance nightmare, the project team opted to install a highly efficient, four-pipe hydronic system at ground level.
Innovation was not left out either because the project team had to get creative to build on top of the parking structure.
Because the top deck of the structure was not designed to withhold the weight of three additional inches of concrete to meet a two-hour fire rating from the city of San Diego, construction could not begin.
The city would not issue a building permit and a solution was needed fast. During a brain-storming session with team members, a new material was discussed as an alternative.
A subcontractor had used a material called Fortacrete on a previous job in Los Angeles. Fortacrete is a high-quality, cement panel that forms the basis of an innovative, new flooring system. The structural panel combines the durability of concrete and the non-combustibility of steel and can significantly reduce dead weight. After researching the product, Barnhart determined the material was a perfect solution that would also save money because less material was needed. The city approved the new material and issued the permit.
Project Team
Owner: Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, Inc.
General Contractor: Barnhart Inc., San Diego
Architect: Joseph Wong Design Associates, San Diego
Civil Engineer/Landscape Architect: Project Design Consultants, San Diego
Electrical Engineer: Randall Lamb Associates, La Mesa
Mechanical/Plumbing Engineer: SC Engineers, San Diego
Structural Engineer: Burkett & Wong, San Diego
Subcontractors: A & S Flooring, Able Heating & Air, Aero Steel, American Fence Co. Inc., Angus Asphalt, All Star Signs Inc., Brady Co., Challenger Sheetmetal, Cement Cutting, Courtney Waterproofing Inc., Commercial Scaffolding Inc., David Shaposhnick Inc., Equal Air Balance Co. Inc., Food Service Design Group, Helix Electric Inc., Hufcor Airwall, Industrial Distributors, J. P. Witherow, JG Tate Fire Protection Systems Inc., The McIntyre Co., Minshew Brothers Steel Construction Inc., New Dimension Masonry Inc., Pecoraro Painting, Perfection Glass Inc., Price Industries (International Iron Products), Prime Tile, Quality Reinforcing, Spooner’s Woodworks Inc., Spring Valley Insulation, Standard Drywall, Sub Site Investigations, Superior Electrical Advertising Inc., S. D. Restaurant Supply, Tekworks, ThyssenKrupp Elevator, Traffic Tech, U.S. Turf, ValleyCrest Landscape Development, Watertite Deck Coatings
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