Masonry Magazine April 1988 Page. 32
Builds New Academy
continued from page 31
ski trails, a ski lift and a 50-foot rappeling tower. SWC&F Project Manager John Dore said, "Federal standards dictated that block be used for this project. We wanted to design the buildings to blend into their surroundings and make them pleasing to the eye, so we designed them with split face block around entry doors and on several outside walls to give the buildings character."
Because the load bearing concept of masonry is quicker than erecting steel frame, masonry set the speed of completion for the building. Mr. Dore said. "Had steel frame construction been used, we would have created the designs and given them to the contractor for shop drawings for the entire project. He would have then ordered the steel, which would have to be fabricated and delivered-all taking about 3-4 months before construction could begin." All other contractors (electrical, plumbing, security, etc.), wait until the steel is up before completing their work. Masonry was already stock piled and masons were ready to begin almost immediately. As soon as the masons completed their work, the project was completed, since other contractors had to work just as fast to keep up.
Other finishes need special furring installed in the right spots to accommodate hanging of heavy objects, while block can fasten anything without additional support. All interior walls of the buildings are block which provides better maintenance and serviceability. Some interior walls are painted, but the walls left in their natural state are still aesthetically pleasing.
The buildings were designed to blend into their surroundings and make them pleasing to the eye. The split face block around the entry doors and on several outside walls gave the buildings character.
Harald Aksdal, SWC&F Buildings Engineer, said that exterior walls were horizontally reinforced every 16" on center, with additional corner reinforcing. Galvanized metal webs were laid in joints to become integral parts of the walls; bond beam blocks were reinforced with rods, filled with concrete, and still look the same as other blocks from the outside.
This load bearing masonry construction system provided a 1-R rating in corridors and at the exits of the buildings. Wherever special security was needed, such as the munitions storage rooms, the walls were reinforced with the block going from the floor to higher than the interior ceiling walls. No special sound proofing materials were needed because of the weight of the masonry walls; their bulk deafens sound transfer.
Photos by Brian Vanden Brink
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32 MASONRY-MARCH/APRIL, 1988