[Building Information Modeling],” Gardi says. “The team used hundreds and hun- dreds of laser points to create a BIM model that was used to build the structure.” In addition, many of the elements
planned for removal—catwalks, elevator/ stair shafts, framing and platforms—pro- vided support for the structure, so the team carefully strategized when and from which precise point to remove each element. The team cut two 40-foot-long by 20-foot-wide roof hatches so a crane operator could move about 8,900 pieces of steel in and out of the building while the floors were built from the bottom up. Gardi recalls: “First thing in the morning, the crane operators would lift the hatches off the building and begin low- ering all the structural beams in through the roof. We probably moved materials in and out for a year. They were building as the materials came in, starting at the lower level and building up toward the roof.” The masonry exterior also had its share
of challenges, which were complicated by the Ottawa Street Power Station’s 2008 listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was built before expan- sion joints and vapor barriers were typical construction procedures, causing major
The building’s south end features a small, elegant Art Deco entryway and lobby. A dramatic transom and brass and stainless- steel doors were meticulously restored. The doors feature a stylized version of the building’s ziggurat shape.
cracks and out-of-plane walls. Much of the brick had to be dismantled so rust could be removed from columns and steel could receive an epoxy coating before the brick was put back. Where new window open- ings were cut, the removed brick was used in areas where the original brick had disin- tegrated past the point of saving. Further upgrades to the building’s ex-
terior include high-performance windows that meet historical guidelines and an in- sulated cool roof and light-colored hard- scaping, which minimize the building and surrounding area’s heat-island effect. Even on the interior, the design and con-
struction team maintained as much of the original structure as possible. The 85-ton gantry crane and operator cab that were used to lift parts for boiler and turbine repair still exist inside the facility’s lobby. Brick walls and many of the original steel beams were reused and left exposed to maintain the building’s industrial feel. The team’s thoughtful use of materials and sus- tainability goals helped it keep 95 percent of construction waste out of landfills.
Rewards and Recognition Since Accident Fund moved into its new
headquarters in April 2011, the building has won numerous awards, including the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation from the state of Michigan; IDEAS2 Award from the Chicago-based American Insti- tute of Steel Construction; 2011 Excellence in Economic Development Award from the Washington, D.C.-based International Economic Development Council; Washing- ton-based Sustainable Buildings Industry Council’s 2012 Beyond Green High Perfor- mance Building Award; 2012 Global Awards for Excellence finalist from the Washing- ton-based Urban Land Institute; and 2012 CoreNET Global Innovator’s Award finalist. To Gardi and Reynolds, the biggest re-
wards are those the renovation project cre- ated personally and professionally. Gardi notes: “Giving the whole building a new life and showing you can do historic pres- ervation and sustainable construction in a very cost-effective way were rewarding. It doesn’t have to cost more—it’s just making the right decisions at the right time.” Reynolds adds: “The transformation that
PHOTO: JUSTIN MACONOCHIE,
WWW.JMACONOCHIE.COM 30 RETROFIT // November-December 2012
occurred here was nothing short of incred- ible. When we opened the doors that first
day and saw the look on employees’ faces, we realized we accomplished something that is long lasting and meaningful. It wasn’t just another building going up; we’re being re- sponsible stewards of our resources within our community and along the waterfront and that’s incredibly fulfilling.”
Learn who participated on the design and construction
team at
www.retrofi
tmagazine.com. ›› Retrofit Materials
PVC PIPE: North American Pipe Co.,
www.northamericanpipe.com
EXPANSION JOINTS: WR Meadows,
www.wrmeadows.com
REBAR, RE-STEEL AND STEEL: Nucor,
www.nucor.com
BRICK PAVERS: Hanover Architectural Prod- ucts,
www.hanoverpavers.com WATERSTOP: CETCO,
www.cetco.com EPOXY ADHESIVE: Hilti,
www.hilti.com
METAL COUNTERBALANCE: Allied Tube & Conduit,
www.alliedeg.us
PVC COUNTERBALANCE: Kee Guard,
keesafety.com
WIRE-MESH ORNAMENTAL RAILS: McNichols Co.,
www.mcnichols.com
PAINT: The Sherwin-Williams Co.,
www.sherwin-williams.com
ALUMINUM SHOE BASE: The Wagner Cos.,
www.wagnercompanies.com
WHITE TPO ROOF: Firestone Building Products Co.,
www.firestonebpco.com
ALUMINUM DOVE TAIL GRATINGS: Ohio Gratings,
www.ohiogratings.com ZINC SHEETS: VM Zinc,
www.vmzinc.com
SEALANTS: Dow Corning,
www.dowcorning. com, and Tremco,
www.tremcosealants.com
STOREFRONTS AND MONOLITHIC GLASS: OldCastle Building Envelope,
www.oldcastle.com
CURTAINWALL: Kawneer Co., www.
kawneer.com
WOOL INSULATION: ThermaFiber,
www.thermafiber.com
ALUMINUM DOORS: Tubelite,
www.tubeliteinc.com
WOVEN WALL: 3-Form,
www.3-form.com OPERABLE WALLS: Hufcor,
www.hufcor.com
INSULATION: Owens Corning,
www.owenscorning.com
MIRRORS: Guardian Industries Corp.,
www.guardian.com LOCKS: Schlage,
www.schlage.com
HOLLOW METAL FRAMES AND DOORS: Steelcraft,
www.steelcraft.com
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