COVER FEATURE

Architectural Precast Façade and Seating Risers Bring Elegance and Speed to Broward County Arena

Doug Brown, AIA The National Car Rental Center in Broward Lead Architect Ellerbe Becket Architects & County, Florida features architectural precast Engineers Inc. panels on its façade and precast concrete seating Kansas City, treads and risers inside, both of which give uniqueness and elegance to this facility devoted to hockey, basketball, concerts and special events. Close coordination was required to meet the tight 27-month design and construction schedule. The panels used on the exterior comprise only one mix Jim Downing but other panels also feature a series of tightly Construction Manager spaced reveals that add texture and contrast while Hunt Construction Group reflecting the long, thin, skating lines of hockey Tampa, Florida skates. The interior precast concrete seating required tight tolerances and well-planned logistics to coordinate the erection of the upper tiers. This article presents the design aspects and Donald Collins, P.E. erection highlights of the project. Precast Engineering Consultant Computerized Engineering Inc. Ashland, Virginia

he new National Car Rental Center in Broward County, Florida, home to the National Hockey TLeague’s Florida Panthers hockey team, features a unique, user-friendly design that provides efficient pedes- trian circulation and takes full advantage of its distinctive setting (see Fig. 1). The new facility is located in the City Dean Gwin of Sunrise, a few miles west of Fort Lauderdale. Vice President of Sales & Marketing But completing the project within the required schedule— Gate Precast Co. 27 months from letting of contract to occupancy—demanded Monroeville, Alabama close communication among the members of the construc-

32 PCI JOURNAL Fig. 1. View of Broward County Arena, City of Sunrise, Florida, from parking lot. tion team. A major key to success in tions, namely: quality, schedule, and Sawgrass Expressway by a newly con- completing the work on that short cost. structed interchange. The facility pro- timetable was the use of a variety of In this case, the team delivered all vides 7500 on-site parking spaces, in- precast concrete components, including three options by designing and con- cluding 226 enclosed spaces. risers and treads, vomitory walls, and structing a facility that offers a dra- The site is located along the western architectural precast panels on the matic addition to the landscape while perimeter of the urban development façade. hosting hockey and basketball games, within Broward County. The sporting The 27-month schedule was so con- concerts, and other special events (see complex is situated directly across densed that the project team came to Fig. 2). All this was achieved on from Sawgrass Mills Regional Mall, a think of the project based on a “flash- schedule and within budget. 2.35 million sq ft (0.218 million m2) track” schedule rather than the more The facility seats 19,000 people for commercial center. It is bounded by common “fast-track” format as is done hockey matches and 20,000 for bas- vacant land to the north, a single-fam- for many time-sensitive projects. In a ketball. Included are 70 private suites, ily residential development to the typical fast-track system, one often four party suites, eight co-op suites, south, and the Florida Everglades to hears the expression that the owner and 2330 club seats. The 135 acre the west. A 22 acre (8.9 ha) wetland- can have only two out of three op- (54.6 ha) site is accessible from the mitigation area was developed on the

Fig. 2. View of Broward County Arena from area close to the Florida Everglades.

May-June 2001 33 Fig. 3. Bands of reveals in architectural precast panels provide contrast to the beige concrete mix and are complemented by colorful stripes in concrete pavers.

site as part of a commitment by the The arena’s entrance is located 20 ft with two of its sides acting as bill- local Development of Regional Impact (6.1 m) above the parking level so the boards to approaching motorists on for the mall. event level could be located above the the expressway. The remaining side The arena plays host to more than area’s high water table. As a result, faces a nearby street and features the 200 events per year. The site was de- the arena is the tallest structure in a multistory glass entry lobby, which signed to facilitate the efficient flow multi-mile radius, making it a land- serves as the site’s focal point. The tri- of fans to and from the stadium and mark visible from a long distance. Be- angular shape was derived from the into and out of its interior arena. Fans cause of this high-profile location, the owner’s desire to collect the conces- leave their cars and approach the arena designers knew the structure needed a sion offerings into three food courts along pedestrian spines that gently distinctive and powerful design (see attached to the concourses, instead of slope up to the main concourse-level Figs. 5 and 6). spacing them out evenly around the entry plaza (see Fig. 3). They enter arena as is typically done. through the main entrance lobby adja- This triangular design makes a bold cent to a large outdoor plaza designed TRIANGULAR ARENA PLAN architectural statement. Functionally, for prefunction activities and civic The arena’s plan resembles the it leaves the concourses open for unre- events (see Fig. 4). shape of a triangle (see Figs. 7 and 8), stricted circulation. Each food court is

Fig. 4. Main entry is fronted by a large outdoor plaza designed for prefunction activities and civic events.

34 PCI JOURNAL Fig. 5. Arena’s entry features a curved façade with segmented precast panels.

located at a point of the triangle and wide concourses to speed up pedes- colored concrete pavers in the plaza. comprises one fully glazed wall lead- trian flow. After observing several existing fa- ing to an outdoor terrace. Large areas The arena in plan measures 550 x cilities, the developer quickly defined of glass are distributed around the 574 ft (167 x 174 m); it stands 142 ft the building goals for the new arena. building, providing views into and out (43.1 m) from event-floor level to the The project team was selected in part of the public spaces. top of the roof; and 103 ft (31.2 m) due to their experience with this type Exterior terraces are located off 14 from the event floor to the roof of stadium. Several members worked key function spaces and public-circu- trusses. It includes 254 ft (77 m) of together on the Fleet Center in , lation areas to take full advantage of clear span across the event floor. Massachusetts, and the Ice Palace in the tropical climate and the views of- The arena consists of a cast-in-place Tampa, Florida. All the participants, fered by the wetlands and Everglades. concrete superstructure with precast from the design team to the general The Panthers’ main offices are situ- concrete seating bowl treads and ris- contractor, were selected quickly and ated within one of the triangle’s points ers. The exterior features architectural became principal players in establish- to enjoy this dramatic scenery. Other precast panels along with a lower, ing the design goals, project objec- elements include three times the num- tinted-glass curtain-wall system, metal tives, building program and construc- ber of toilets required by code and panels, single-ply EPDM roofing and tion schedule.

Fig. 6. Façade was designed in “layers” that peel away to the interior, beginning with precast panels followed by a tall glass curtain wall.

May-June 2001 35 Fig. 7. Plan of arena showing four quadrants.

The design team consisted of approxi- schedule. Each team member proudly and how rapidly they needed to move. mately 150 people from 15 companies. wore shirts displaying the Panthers Communication between meetings Design goals and project objectives were logo with “Arena Development Team” was maintained through conference established. “Communication is every- written on them. calls, e-mails, faxes and overnight de- thing,” became the slogan. Calendars In quick order, project members met livery. CAD drawing standards were were mounted on walls, decision dates with officials from Broward County established and schedules were dis- were targeted and then shifted as other and the City of Sunrise to discuss de- tributed electronically to all members dates fell into place. Nothing was omit- sign goals, review schedules, and re- and updated. CAD files also were pro- ted; each meeting date, document- ceive input on code and zoning re- vided to the subcontractors, including package due date, permit submission, quirements. Meetings were then the precasters. and construction milestone was noted. arranged on a two-week schedule to The “flash-track” project-delivery The final deadline was set as the end discuss programming, design, budget, method was continually evaluated. goal and the preliminary schedule schedule, constructibility, and coordi- Nine different construction-issue served as the framework within which nation issues. Each meeting focused packages were released on strategic every item was programmed. on the following two weeks of details dates to facilitate construction. At the Everyone involved in the project be- and progress so everyone had a clear onset of construction, after only five came totally committed to the target understanding of what the process was months of development and design,

36 PCI JOURNAL Fig. 8. Perimeter of building showing various section details.

May-June 2001 37 Fig. 9. Panels along entry façade feature complex designs that include bands of reveals created with form liners, granite insets and returns that required both faces to be finished.

project meetings shifted to the site and foundation work and the structural cess by reducing the total pick count. were held weekly. frame were being completed. Thus, But the panels also provided an attrac- Due to the facility’s high profile and the precast panels could be erected tive and distinctive façade that meshed location across from a shopping mall, and finished much faster than any with the arena’s function and met the the construction process captured the other material. owner’s need for a grand exterior on attention of the local newspapers. A Furthermore, several members of this high-profile project. civic event was in the making. the construction team had just finished The precast panels, many of which The Miami Herald published four work on the Ice Palace in Tampa, measured more than 100 sq ft (9.3 m2) ongoing full-page features complete Florida, a similar arena for the NHL’s in size, feature only one mix design, 1 with drawings. These full-page articles Tampa Lightning team. On this job, consisting of /2 in. (12.7 mm) Jack- were turned into posters and dis- the masonry exterior took far longer to sonville limestone, guaranteed white tributed to local schools and colleges. finish than would the precast concrete sand, Federal White cement, and Lam- Although the designers of this pro- façade proposed for the National Car bert Dark Buff dye. However, the fin- ject have previously used precast con- Arena. ished panels include rows of closely crete risers and vomitory panels for The precaster was consulted to de- spaced reveals on the top halves of stadiums, the construction schedule termine the most advantageous size many panels in order to impart a two- was the main reason why architectural for designing the panels. The project tone look for the façade. This depth, precast concrete was specified for the team wanted to use the largest panel provided by form liners and an abra- façade. The precast concrete panels size possible to limit the total number sive blast on the panels, creates shad- could be fabricated in a plant while of components and speed up the pro- ows and changes in color as the sun

38 PCI JOURNAL passes over the facing (see Fig. 9). The reveals also reflect the long, thin marks left by hockey skates in the ice, providing a connection to the key event held inside. This concept was emphasized further by using long bands of color in the concrete plaza blocks leading up to the main entry. Portions of the panels were lightly sandblasted to add texture, but no ex- posed aggregate was featured. While the long color bands provide a sense of motion, energy and a playful aspect to the building, the precast concrete panel design contrasts that effect. The precast panels offer the grandeur, per- manence and monumentality that the owners wanted. The remainder of the main façade features accents of silver-colored metal at the roof line and green-tinted glass. The materials were designed in a layered style as if in thin layers that peel back to expose layers of increas- ing transparency. The light-colored precast concrete panels give way to clear glass stepped back inside the panels, which reveal the arena’s inte- rior behind them (see Fig. 10). The entry makes this layered look Fig. 10. Arena entertainment floor features precast concrete bowl seating as well as especially clear as it projects off the upper seating levels.

Fig. 11. Overview of construction showing partially completed roof and wall panel erection. Photo courtesy: Smith Aerial Photography.

May-June 2001 39 Fig. 12. Later view of construction showing nearly completed roof and wall panels in place. Photo courtesy: Smith Aerial Photography.

main triangular shape with a concave ors work as an extension of the build- challenges. One particular challenge design that draws visitors to its center. ing’s exterior sophistication. Off- was erecting the upper-bowl seating The precast concrete panels that frame white, beige, and soothing greens pro- while simultaneously erecting the steel this entry structure feature segmented vide a classic backdrop to the trusses for the roof overhead. and slightly radiused pieces. Two dif- excitement of the entertainment The designers had to quickly pin ferent radiuses were used to create spaces, including surrounding retail down the interior geometry for the contrast: fiberglass forms were em- stores and sports bars. The arena seat- bowl design, vomitory locations, and ployed in casting all the panels, and ing has padded seats and green, tan, food courts, so the precaster, thus, granite inserts were inset along the and blue upholstery fabrics to differ- could begin production while con- bottom of the panels along this face to entiate the major seating terraces. On struction proceeded. For example, the add visual interest. the upper-bowl level, the concourses order for structural roof steel was Fabricating these entry panels was feature an indirectly lit, painted, placed before the groundbreaking to particularly challenging. The precast sloped “ceiling” of the precast con- ensure its delivery to the site as soon concrete engineer and precaster based crete seating deck above and a pat- as the concrete frame was completed. their design calculations on wind tun- terned vinyl-tiled floor. At the same time, the precast concrete nel tests conducted at the facility to Precast concrete double and triple components would also be ready to ar- determine lateral loading requirements risers were used to create the lower rive. on these unusually shaped compo- bowl as well as the upper seating lev- The upper-level precast concrete nents. In addition to these segmented els. One section of the lower bowl fea- had to be set before the line of roof or radiused shapes, the end panels fea- tures seating that was raked at a trusses because there would be no way ture returns that expose the front and steeper angle than all other arena seat- for the crane to reach around the back of the panel, requiring both sides ing. This stacks the risers higher but trusses to set the pieces once the first to be finished. closer, raising the noise and excite- roof truss was set. Thus, the crane was The geometry of these panels re- ment levels in this area. used to assemble the trusses at the east quired detailed engineering that was end of the bowl during the day, and complicated by the fast erection then was used to set the upper-level schedule. But by the time the drawings ERECTION HIGHLIGHTS precast concrete seating risers at the were required, the details had been Sequencing the construction of this west end at night. While these precast worked out. Production of the archi- complicated facility on a fast speed concrete components were being as- tectural panels took only 18 weeks. schedule required close communica- sembled and set in place, work contin- Inside, the finish materials and col- tion and presented many logistical ued by setting the upper bowl precast

40 PCI JOURNAL Fig. 13. Interior view of arena showing proximity of seating to hockey rink.

units on the east side, after which the the lower-bowl components, and the unforeseen delays ensured that the roof steel could be completed. roof could be set. schedule would progress on time. During this same period, the struc- This progression was the most eco- Coordinating the exterior erection tural precast concrete progressed on nomical and fastest but required also took close communication. For the west end beyond the first two roof switching around the drawing sched- example, the precaster and precast trusses. The west end trusses, each in ule to accommodate it. The smooth se- concrete engineer were responsible for two separate 180 ft (54.6 m) pieces, quencing was a direct result of early producing the shop drawings and other were lifted by separate cranes and air- critical-path planning. The ability of engineering details. This included lay- spliced together. Once these pieces precast concrete to be fabricated off- ing out all the embeds and installing were in place, work turned to setting site and to be produced without any them as cast-in-place work proceeded.

Fig. 14. Finished view of Broward County Arena showing beautiful architectural precast concrete treatment.

May-June 2001 41 Fig. 15. Finished view of Broward County Arena. Because of its , functionality and size, the facility is already a major landmark in the area.

Most of this work was accomplished CONCLUDING REMARKS team and general public. Indeed, the before final drawings were completed. structure, because of its architectural The precaster used a mobile crane in The opening of the arena was seen aesthetics and sheer size, has quickly the parking lot and within three months as an important milestone in the matu- become a popular venue and major erected the architectural panels in a ration of the young hockey team and a landmark in the area. vertical alignment around the outside, key to building fan loyalty over time. moving along the circular perimeter as The facility’s character reflects that of CREDITS needed. the team in expressing a youthful, con- Figs. 11 and 12 show progress in fident, and dynamic attitude. It also Owner: Broward County, Florida constructing the roof of the structure projects an appropriate civic image for Developer: Arena Development Co. and erecting the precast wall panels. the full range of entertainment offer- Ltd., Fort Lauderdale, Florida In all, some 671 pieces of architec- ings for the region. Some people have Developer’s Representative: Morse tural precast concrete, totaling 110,000 likened the arena to an opera house. Diesel International, Miami, Florida sq ft (9900 m2), were used to clad the Since the facility was opened, it has Architect: Ellerbe Becket Architects & exterior of the arena. won several architectural awards. Engineers Inc., Kansas City, Mis- Overall, the project cost $136 mil- Such results confirm that the project souri lion for construction out of a total team not only met a record-setting Structural Engineers: Ellerbe Becket $192 million development budget. schedule and stayed within the pre- Architects & Engineers Inc., Kansas From programming and design scribed budget, but that a high quality City, Missouri and Walter P. Moore through to its grand opening, the pro- standard was maintained in design and & Associates Inc., Tampa, Florida ject was completed in the required construction. From the beginning, the General Contractor: a joint venture of 27 months. This included five months design-construction team recognized Centex Rooney Inc., Fort Laud- of design prior to the groundbreaking that a successful project could be ac- erdale, Florida & Hunt Construction and 22 months from groundbreaking complished only with collaboration, Group, Tampa, Florida until occupancy. respect for each other’s unique contri- Precast Concrete Manufacturer (Ar- The structure was completed in butions, close communication at the chitectural): Gate Precast Co., Mon- September 1998, in time for the highest level, and harmonious working roeville, Alabama hockey season. relationships. Precast/Prestressed Concrete Consult- 1 Fig. 13 shows an interior view of Since its opening 2 /2 years ago, the ing Engineer: Computerized Engi- the arena while Figs. 14 and 15 show facility has fulfilled the expectations neering Inc. (CEI), Ashland, Vir- exterior views of the finished facility. of the owner, design-construction ginia

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