A L A B A M A CO NCR E TE I NDU STRIES ASSOC IATION M AGAZ IN E | SPR I N G 2018
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
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ConcreteWorks is a publication of the Alabama Concrete Industries Association and features articles and photographs pertaining to product applications, educational opportunities, as well as innovative construction techniques impacting the industry. Please email rlindsay@alconcrete.org with any comments regarding featured articles in ConcreteWorks or to suggest a story idea for a future edition.
Rebecca Lindsay, Art Director & Editor John Sorrell, Editor
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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
www.alconcrete.org www.mysaferoom.org
2 This Bud's for You
For more than 80 years, Adams Beverage,
a family owned Anheuser-Busch Wholesaler, has been a fixture in the beer distribution market, and in June of 2017 cut the ribbon on their brand new building in Opelika, Alabama.
6 The Architecture of Jennifer Barber
Growing up in
Montgomery, Jennifer Barber’s parents spent time teaching their children about design by showing them art, photography and inspiring architecture. Shortly after starting college, she knew she would follow in her father’s footsteps.
11 Technicle Review
Architect Peter Fortier in New Orleans was faced
with a compressed construction schedule, on a site still at risk from future flooding. Read how masonry has taken a front seat as New Orleans continues to rebuild post-Katrina.
15 Throwing Rocks
The Auburn University Student Chapter of ACI is
dedicated to promoting an interest in concrete in Auburn and in the surrounding community. Each spring, the chapter hosts a luncheon event called ‘Concrete Day,’ and this year a concrete bowling ball challenge was on the agenda.
19 We Have Liftoff
After four years of planning, design and construction,
Huntsville City Schools opened the doors to Virgil I. Grissom High School, named for one of America’s original Mercury astronauts, in the fall of 2017.
24 2018 Spring Calendar
(Cover)
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
For more than 80 years, Adams Beverage, a family owned Anheuser-Busch Wholesaler, has been a fixture in the beer distribution market, and in June of 2017 cut the ribbon on their brand new building in Opelika, Alabama.
THROUGH THE YEARS Under the management of C.C. Bush, the company began as “Bush Distributing Company” with the repeal of Prohibition in 1937. Thirteen years later, Joe Adams joined the company and performed multiple tasks from unloading freight to selling and delivering product. In 1973, the name was changed to Adams Beverages, Inc. and the company was incorporated. During the next several years, the company continued to expand and more family members joined the staff. In 1998, Adams Beverages moved to its new facility in Dothan
Fast-forwarding a few years, Adams
and in June of 2001, Adams Beverages purchased Eagle Budweiser Distributing
Beverages currently services 20 counties
Company in Opelika. Eagle Bud employed 45 people and sold over 1,750,000 cases
in Alabama and eight in North Carolina,
of Anheuser-Busch product, and the acquisition gave Adams Beverages the exclusive
and their passion for beer and commitment
right to distribute Anheuser-Busch product in the counties of Barbour, Lee, Macon,
to the highest standards is evident in all
Russell, and Tallapoosa counties.
that they do.
FROM THE GROUND UP When HDA Architects was given the opportunity to design the new facility, Tom McCormack knew he would use concrete as one of its key components. The schematic design process started in August of 2015, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in September of 2016. The old Chicago style warehouse was completed by June of last yea, and includes brewery style red bring and large windows with awnings. “Design begins from discussions with the owner to get a feel for their interests and style, and it’s a combination of form and function of the spaces,” says Tom. “Concrete is one the most durable and consistent building materials. Behind the red brick office building stands the strong insulated concrete tilt wall warehouse as the backdrop.” Concrete tilt wall construction is a preferred method for beverage distribution facilities. It
SPRING 2018 3
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
speeds up construction and can be poured with integral insulation to provide the perfect wall for both durability and R-Value essential for a temperature-controlled warehouse. Natural plantings and a fire pit are incorporated into the courtyard that joins the buildings, and stained and stamped concrete with multiple colors and textures is also used at the office entrance and throughout the courtyard. “I love the appearance of the office as it
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
demonstrates an old brewery feel but I
design team responds to the needs of its
particularly like the courtyard between the
clients and communities while balancing
office and warehouse,” says Tom. It’s a
internal functions with external demands.
warm outdoor space that spills out from the
They
Hospitality Room and provides a true bond
innovative design solutions that create real
between the two separate structures.
value. Over the last 20 plus years, HDA
pride
themselves
on
providing
has worked with more than 150 Beverage
ABOUT HDA ARCHITECTS
Wholesalers nationwide on facility needs. Being experts on beverage distribution facility design and functionality, they can
HDA’s architectural design solutions result
ensure their client’s facilities are designed
from researching alternatives to solve the
to maximize investment, control costs, and
challenges of our built environment. Its
future-proof the facilities.
SPRING 2018 5
ARCHITECT SPOTLIGHT
THE
ARCHITECTURE
OF
As the saying goes, like father like daughter. Growing up in Montgomery, Jennifer Barber’s parents, especially her architect father, spent time teaching their children about design by showing them art, photography and inspiring architecture close to home and around the world. When she began her college career at Auburn University, she was majoring in International Business. But after visiting a friend in the architecture building, it became clear to her that she should follow in her father’s footsteps.
ARCHITECT SPOTLIGHT
SPRING 2018 7
ARCHITECT SPOTLIGHT
“I looked around I realized that the creative
In the 1980s, her father designed the
design work happening was very familiar to
Alabama Department of Transportation
me,” says Jennifer. “My father, Bill Wible,
Headquarters on Coliseum Boulevard here
is an architect and recently retired from a
in Montgomery. The exterior of the building
Montgomery firm where he was a principal
is clad in precast concrete that was made
for many years. I have been a registered
using
architect since 2000, but together we started
limestone, the same stone used to pave
Wible Barber Architects in September of
many Alabama highways.
exposed
aggregate
of
crushed
2017. From a very early age I learned a lot about design from him, even on a small
“I have also spent a lot of time close to where
scale, and we still have fun designing and
my father grew up in Hayneville, Alabama
problem solving together.”
around a small town called Lowndesboro. “Its antebellum homes are beautiful, two-
Jennifer American
has
always
appreciated
Architecture
and
Early
story homes with double height columns
Southern
and wide, wrap-around porches. There are
American Architecture, especially those that
also raised cottages, with small porches
used concrete in its design. In Montgomery,
and low slope roofs.”
there is a unique concrete structure in Garrett Coliseum designed in 1951 by Sherlock,
During another family trip to Chicago,
Smith and Adams. Since childhood, she has
they visited several houses designed by
observed how this building’s large concrete
renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
arches support a thin-shell concrete roof
Jennifer learned that his ‘organic’ style of
structure providing a 12,500-seat arena for
architecture was placed on the site to be
numerous types of events.
in harmony with the landscape in order to blend in with its surroundings. This style
ARCHITECT SPOTLIGHT
of American architecture has connecting rooms with large window-walls that open to the outdoors.
GET
TO
KNOW
Jennifer Barber What are your hobbies? My hobbies
are
art,
photography,
travel and spending time with my daughter, Camilla. What is one tool you can’t live without?
Living
down
south
I
definitely would have trouble living without air-conditioning.
For short
periods of time each summer, I am willing to trade this method of cooling for the balmy breezes blowing in at the Gulf of Mexico beaches. What is the last book you read? I have just started a book by Kayleigh McEnany called “The New American Revolution.” What
is
an
interesting
fact
that most people do not know about you? I am very patriotic and I appreciate our military and our veterans. What is your favorite thing about your profession? I enjoy watching a design go from a sketch to a threedimensional building. Even more so, it is wonderful to see the smiles on people’s faces when they move into their new space and make it their own.
SPRING 2018 9
ARCHITECT SPOTLIGHT
“Falling Water in Mill Run, Pennsylvania
how durable and economical it is. She
and the Rosenbaum House in Florence,
appreciates how it can be formed into
Alabama are two well-known examples of
beautiful shapes and its high compressive
this style, and have certainly influenced the
strength.
architecture of today,” she says. “On several occasions we have used Jennifer has also always loved the elegant
concrete as the finished floor surface
arches designed for concrete bridges, and
because it can be polished and stained for
has had the privilege to see some of the
a beautiful finish, she says. “An example is
beautiful bridges in Paris, London, Holland
the new Prattville High School Lobby. The
and Italy. She also observes that the concrete
broomed concrete entrance plaza outside
bridge to Dauphine Island, Alabama not only
was easily carried inside to the lobby and
provides a tremendous arch for boats to sail
polished to reflect the sunlight pouring
under, but its spectacular height allows a
in through the clearstory windows fifteen
person to experience an amazing view of a
feet above. We were able to position the
beautiful sunset.
score joints needed to control cracking in a pattern that enhanced the design of the
When asked why she chooses to use concrete in her own designs, she credits its versatility as a key factor as well as
building both inside and out.”
TECHNICAL REVIEW
DESIGN PERSPECTIVE Peter Fortier, AIA, EDAC of LACHIN Architects, APC in New Orleans Arlene Meraux Elementary
SPRING 2018 11
TECHNICAL REVIEW
Masonry Plays Lead Role as New Orleans Rebuilds after Katrina Architect Peter Fortier, AIA, EDAC of LACHIN Architects, APC in New Orleans has served on design teams for some of the more notable projects in the city of New Orleans. When designing a new school in Saint Bernard Parish, however, Fortier was faced with a compressed construction schedule, on a site still at risk from future flooding. The resulting school came in on time, on budget, and ready to educate young minds—as well as to withstand another Katrina if necessary.
“ When we first surveyed the postKatrina damage, we took note of construction materials that survived. Glazed concrete block and glazed tile best weathered the inundation and could be cleaned and reused.” PETER FORTIER, AIA, EDAC of LACHIN Architects, APC in New Orleans
Mason Randy Rush, of Rush Masonry in New Orleans, agrees that masonry buildings fared better in Katrina than those constructed with other building materials, and has seen increased use of masonry since 2005. “Since Katrina, we’ve been seeing a lot more glazed CMU, groundface CMU and interior CMU partitions because the materials are better able to withstand flooding and are easier to cleanup afterwards,” he says. When designing Arlene Meraux Elementary, the team designed all interior walls with glazed masonry to a minimum of 10 feet high. They also raised all critical mechanical and electrical systems out of harm’s way to the second level.
ASTRA-GLAZE SW+ Deep Marigold
Peter Fortier, AIA, EDAC of LACHIN Architects, APC in New Orleans
TECHNICAL REVIEW
“With the glazed masonry wall, the elevated slab, and the raised
For aesthetics and practicality, he established a multi-color
mechanical systems, we can weather another Katrina. Once
palette, with a separate color theme created for each wing.
waters recede, we’ll be able to hose everything down and have
“Color-coding is a better way to help K-5 students identify
everything back in working condition quickly,” explains Fortier.
the different areas of the school than signage, which is
Although a typical schedule for a school of this size would be
another benefit of glazed masonry,” he explains.
15 months, this project was completed in 12 months without
Colored terrazzo flooring and trim coordinates with the
incurring serious overages or overtime charges. Of course, the
color themes of the wings, and hexagonal designs tie in with
compressed schedule created a cost-control challenge. Using
the school mascot, the bee. “The finished look of the design
glazed masonry was one of the value-engineering methods
exceeded my expectations,” Fortier notes.
he used. Rush Masonry, working with Gibbs Construction, did an outstanding job of scheduling and installing the work to accommodate the demanding schedule.
“ One of the advantages of glazed masonry is that once the product is in place, no painting is needed. Eliminating that step saves a good deal of time, and when you use a glazed masonry, it not only stands up to natural forces, but student abuse, as well.”
“The masonry on this project is the best-looking aspect of the design,” adds Rush. Arlene Meraux Elementary opened its doors to nearly 550 students in August, in time for the 2017-2018 school year. The 115,000 square feet, newly built, state-of-the-art facility features two courtyards, a large playground, an outdoor classroom, library, gym, music and art classrooms. The school sits on a 14.6-acre plot of land donated by The Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation. Since Joseph Meraux had owned one of the largest collections of rare and novel clocks in the world, the school design includes a clock tower as a nod to this collection.
FORTIER AIA, EDAC of LACHIN Architects, APC in New Orleans
Natalie Albers, Arlene Meraux Elementary School's principal, refers to the facility as "115,000 square feet of sheer perfection." She says parents and students were amazed at the detail and the thoughtful design of the building.
SPRING 2018 13
TECHNICAL REVIEW
LACHIN Architects has done as many as 20 projects for the Saint Bernard Parish School Board, ranging from demolitions and renovations to new construction.
“ Wherever there was new construction, we utilized glazed CMU, and all but one used AstraGlaze. I’ve been very happy with the product. I primarily use it on the interior because it performs well. I also sometimes use it on the exterior as an accent to brick.” FORTIER AIA, EDAC of LACHIN Architects, APC in New Orleans
ASTRA-GLAZE SW+® The colorful beauty of ceramic tile. The unmatched durability of concrete.
F E AT U R E
O R
S K C Auburn Universty's
Student Champter of ACI presents
CONCRETE DAY 2018
SPRING 2018 15
F E AT U R E
The Auburn University Student Chapter of ACI is dedicated to promoting an interest in concrete in Auburn and in the surrounding
community.
Each
spring,
the chapter hosts a luncheon event called ‘Concrete Day,’ where students, faculty, and concrete professionals are invited to hear a prominent speaker from the concrete industry and take part in a professional showcase. The annual event allows for undergraduates, graduate
students,
professors,
young
engineers, experienced P.E.’s, company presidents, and other groups of people to network, learn about state of the art concrete practices, and gain a deeper appreciation for the concrete industry. The idea to organize Concrete Day came up during the first general meeting because the Auburn chapter of ACI had a desire to promote its knowledge of concrete and
network
with
concrete
industry
representatives. The event has taken place since 2015.
STUDENTS WEIGH IN How did the students decide to design concrete bowling balls? Our chapter every year sends a student competition team to national convention of ACI. The next convention is on March 2428 in Salt Lake City, UT, and the student competition is FRC bowling ball. Until last year we were having students working on the concrete competition for about one month before the convention. To motivate them to work early, to prepare them well and to WIN in Salt Lake City, we came up with a brilliant idea: Departmental Trials. We offered student team’s $500 cash prize and the chance to represent AU at the Convention in SLC.
F E AT U R E
Probably
the
most
motivated
were
by ACI such as the ball’s weight and diameter.
students interested in having hands-on
In addition, the students knew that the ball
experience. We had an introductory meet
would exceed the weight capacity if the ball
up with the prospective contestants to
was solid concrete, so both teams included
inspire them by showing the previous year
foam in the center to decrease weight.
competition videos. Our faculty offered
The competitors also made the balls as
students their mentorship which was
soon as they could in order to begin the
also a significant factor when deciding to
curing process and get the most strength
participate in the trials.
possible before the competition. Out of the six categories, the bowling and strength test
CONTEST FACTS
were the most interesting. The competition
The objective of having the contest was
was set up to look like in a real bowling lane.
to choose a team to represent Auburn
The bowling was very exciting, not just for
University in FRC Bowling ball competition
the contestants, but for the audience, too.
at ACI convention in Salt Lake City, UT. After
They played three rounds, there were some
the trials were announced, there were initially
strikes, spares and missed bowls. Both
five teams registered and just two teams
teams performed well, and each team had
showed up on the day of the competition,
their drawbacks. However, at the end of the
which was held on Monday, Feb. 12th.
competition, they had more confidence and learned from their experience.
There were six categories of the competition, which included the real bowling with the
What are some components of concrete
concrete ball the students designed. They
that made it a good product to use for
each had to meet certain criteria prescribed
the bowling ball?
SPRING 2018 17
F E AT U R E
The teams were allowed to use only the
about concrete materials, concrete
materials that were specified and that
design, communicating ideas with
meet
team members, and many other
respective
ASTM
specifications
to use in the contest. Since the contest
valuable skills.
was to design bowling balls using fiber reinforcement,
steel
How many students participated?
fibers, and it was one of the major factors
the
teams
used
In the bowling ball competition
for strength. They were free to use other
teams had 3-4 people were on
types of fibers available on the market
each team, two people per team
unless they meet ASTM specifications.
showed up at the competition.
The winning team used “Dramix 5D 65/60
Overall, forty students participated
BG� steel fibers, sponsored by Bekaert
in Concrete Day.
scompany. The most important outcome is that the students were able to learn
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
W
E
H
A
V
E
After four years of planning, design and construction, Huntsville City Schools opened the doors to Virgil I. Grissom High School, named for one of America’s original Mercury astronauts, in the fall of 2017. The 340,000 square foot building sits on a 61-acre campus, and has a capacity for up to 1900 students with room for expansion. Grissom High School serves the southern areas of the Huntsville City Schools district. The new building relocated the 50-yearold campus about three miles west to a large greenfield site, and will be a catalyst for future economic development along the
SPRING 2018 19
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
South Memorial Parkway corridor. The new
lighting, and piping while also shortening the
school offers state-of-the-art technology,
overall construction schedule.
security, and teaching aides.
Unlike the
previous school, every classroom has a
“The site terrain allowed us to incorporate
window and most circulation corridors
monumental stairs and retaining walls to
terminate with views to the exterior. Though
help emphasize main entrances,” says
the new school represents a new chapter
Mike Sprader, AIA. “We chose to expose
in the schools’ storied existence, the past
the concrete in these areas with a smooth
is also captured and celebrated in the new
architectural natural finish for its clean and
school. As visitors enter the 50-foot tall day-
simple expression.”
lit lobby, they are greeted by a large-scale wall mural of the school’s namesake, Virgil
In light of the horrific school shootings that
‘Gus’ Grissom and can browse through the
have taken place in the last few years, security
‘first 50 years’ timeline.
is now a major element in education design, and Grissom was designed with entrances
In 2013, the team at Chapman Sisson
that
Architects hit the ground running with the
state-of-the-art security technology, and
include
bullet-resistant
materials,
design process, and implemented its plan
secure check points.
to use concrete throughout the facility.
observation is also an important feature
However, internal
for overall building security. All classrooms The building is constructed with load bearing
and student areas include windows to the
CMU walls, which are durable, maintenance-
corridors for observation and the corridors
free and the best material choice for school
are designed without bends and offsets for
construction, as well as precast hollow core
maximum site lines.
planks.
The hollow core planks allowed
for maximum plenum depth for ductwork,
But the second floor ‘perch’ may be the most
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
SPRING 2018 21
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
"CERTAIN BUILDING TYPES DEMAND LONG LASTING MATERIALS THAT CAN STAND UP TO HIGH ABUSE CONDITIONS AND CONCRETE COMPONENTS PROVIDE A LONG SERVICE LIFE DUE TO THEIR DURABLE AND LOW-MAINTENANCE SURFACES."
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
valuable security asset.
The second floor
corridor is cantilevered over and open to the first floor circulation below.
allowed for a simplified evacuation plan for staff and students.”
This provides
several observation points on the second floor
The shelter is constructed of 12-inch thick
to monitor both levels during class changes.
steel
If standing on the extended perch, a single
walls and CMU to meet current ICC 500
resource officer has views in four directions on
regulations.
reinforced
cast-in-place
concrete
QUICK FACTS
both levels. Cast-in-place concrete provided the strength to cantilever a high traffic corridor
Grissom is also home to one of the school
The
over 10 feet, yet also allowed a thinner section
districts redundant data centers.
academies
to achieve a clean edge profile.
equally
important
for
this
It was
equipment
building such
includes as
career
Robotics,
Health Science, Cyber Security,
maintain operation during storms so the
Welding,
3-D
The Storm Shelter, which is now required
room is hardened with filled core CMU and
Advanced
Manufacturing
by a law passed in 2010, is actually a two-
hollow core planks above to protect the
students design and build racecars
level structure housing the Auxiliary Gym
mission critical equipment within.
to compete on the mile-long track
and physical education locker rooms on the
Printing,
and where
that wraps around the site.
main level and athletic locker rooms, weight
“Our firm always considers the life cycle
room, and a large multi-purpose room in the
impacts of a product when considering
The Auditorium seats 850 and the
basement. Due to the size of the student body,
materials in building designs, and certain
Competition Gym seats 2,000.
the traditional ‘shelter in the gym’ approach
building types demand long lasting materials
wasn’t possible and there was some concern
that can stand up to high abuse conditions
Sports fields, JROTC challenge
of splitting students and resources in separate
and concrete components provide a long
course, and athletic field houses are
shelters in case of an emergency.
service life due to their durable and low-
located on the southern end of the
maintenance
61-acre campus.
surfaces,”
says
Sprader.
“We found that it was more economical
“Concrete can be utilized in all areas of the
to build a single two-level shelter than
project and its return on investment often
two remote shelters,” Sprader says. “This
outperforms other materials.”
SPRING 2018 23
SPRING CALENDAR
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2018 CONTINENTAL PHEASANT SHOOT Hosted by Big Rig Lodge @ Harrell & Sons Farms; Lowndes County Wednesday, October 17th - 9am & 1pm $2000 per foursome - $500 per individual
*Money raised will be used for two $8,000 scholarships
*To register, please email Rebecca (rlindsay@alconcrete.org) or call (334) 265-0501.