Concrete Products covers the issues that attract producers of ready mixed and manufactured concrete focusing on equipment and material technology, market development and management topics.
Issue link: http://concrete.epubxp.com/i/849790
18 ¥ July 2017 www.concreteproducts.com NEWS S PRECAST Gate Precast uses hollow core to lower costs for hotel project Two Marriott hotels near Orlando's Mall at Millenia are being bu within a single structure as part of a dual-brand hotel concept made possible, in part, by the adaptability of precast. Gate Precast will pro duce and install 158,841 square feet of 8-in. hollow core precast and 6,156 square feet of 8-in. solid slab structural precast for the project. Gate is trucking the precast pieces from its Jacksonville, Fla., flagship plant for "just in time" delivery to the site. "It has been important to stay on top of the project sequencing to ensure that the panels are delivered when needed and that the project is not delayed," says Gate project manager Ashley Bonner Jeremy Bain, senior project manager at Orlando-based WELB Building Corp., says Gate's constructability input helped identify cost savings. "Gate assisted with budgeting and coordination of the trades, which are typically the biggest challenges that we encounter on any project," Bain adds. "For example, Gate showed us how to use hollow core instead of solid slabs in some areas, thereby enabling us to keep in line with the budget." The connected hotels, which share a lobby, back-of-house space and other amenities, were designed by L2 Studios of Orlando. Despite sharing a building space, the two hotels are distinctly dif- ferent—unlike its counterpart, Springhill Suites calls for numerous cantilevered, prestressed solid slabs to achieve a faux balcony appear- ance along the building's exterior. The slabs—some reaching 30 feet 8 inches in length—are directly connected to the hollow core panels that comprise the remainder of the flooring for both hotels. PARKING STRUCTURE ENRICHES NEW OW Design, planning and surveying firm WGI joining forces with consulting and structura engineer Carl Walker Inc., whose founder bu the brand through deployment of precast/pr stressed members for long-span conditions economy and construction speed "WGI's client-centered approach, stron work ethic, values, and expertise in transpo tation and planning, were significant factors for the move to WGI," says Carl Walker CEO Cudney, P.E., who along with other principa and colleagues will continue in their curren roles. "Joining WGI expands our ability t develop sustainable, engaging and adaptable parking solutions for clients nationwide. With offices in Chicago, Dallas, Indiana olis, Michigan and North Carolina, Carl Wal adds a 12th business division to WGI, which has eight Florida offices. The combined firm will serve an active client base in 30-plus states and have nearly 400 associates. Completion of the $21 million Springhill Suites and Residence Inn at Millenia-Orlando is expected in early 2018.