Masonry Magazine January 1979 Page.29
Architect's rendering of the total project for the new Social Security Headquarters in Baltimore.
Brick Panels Speed Construction of New Social Security Headquarters
When completed this year, the Social Security Administration's new Metro-West complex in Baltimore will cost $93 million and cover two city blocks. A skillful team of design/engineering specialists, manufacturers, erectors, and masonry craftsmen overcame some serious construction challenges to create a bold, new architectural concept.
A revolutionary concept in exterior wall design for highrise construction highlights the Department of Health, Education and Welfare's $93 million Social Security Administration Headquarters Building, now under construction in Baltimore.
Sprawled over two city blocks, the complex consists of two structures joined by a bridge that spans a section of 1-70. The buildings, which topped off on September 19, 1978, will provide office space for 5,000 government employees upon final completion in late 1979.
Intensive design and coordination efforts of builders, architects, and suppliers resulted in a loadbearing exterior wall system composed of prefabricated brick and steel panels engineered to reach a height of 17 stories.
Sherman R. Smoot Co., Inc., Columbus, Ohio, spearheaded the effort to implement the new construction concept. As prime contractor for the exterior masonry package, Smoot used 350 tons of steel studs, track and bridging provided by the Wheeling Corrugating Co., a subsidiary of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp.
Up, up, and away! Workers stationed on upper floors received each panel, placing it against the steel in-system boundary.