Real
estate giant Skanska,
the developer of the office complex Green Court Bucharest, built
by OCTAGON, has delivered a project impressive through architecture,
size and execution: Florida Polytechnic University. The
Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building that is the centerpiece of
the campus was designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava and built by Skanska, as
part of a collaborative team of numerous design and construction partners.
You might be impressed by the project’s facts: this
160,000-square-foot structure was completed on-time and within the strict $60
million budget. This was accomplished despite such immense challenges as 90
percent of the structure being on a radius.
“Completing this project
makes my team and I feel extremely happy and at the same time somewhat sad,”
said Chuck Jablon, the Skanska vice president who has overseen this project
from the beginning.
Of the design, Jablon said, “You can’t tell me that this design
hasn’t captured you. Calatrava captures your curiosity on the drawings alone.
Then, when you start building it and you see it evolve, he gets your heart. And
when the building is far enough along so you can see the full design realized,
he’s damn sure captured your soul.”
Inside, the roof’s exposed underbelly reveals concrete rakers
that converge at an apex containing a skylight. A grand staircase takes center
stage. Throughout the building, the concrete is clean and crisp – which
required tremendous attention to detail and concrete craftsmanship from our
team.
The complex rooftop system is supported by a concrete ring beam
– 72 inches deep and 30 inches wide – that encircles the interior of the second
floor’s grand common area. On the building’s radii, each column rotates on
another angle. This building has about 300 radius points, with an incredible 90
percent of everything done on a radius. As Jablon said, “You see the
radius – do you feel it?”
Calatrava designed the building to inspire students with a sense
of optimism: “My first aim is to make an inspirational environment for the
students and the professors and everyone working here.”
For more information click HERE.
OCTAGON CONTRACTING &
ENGINEERING
Phone: (+4)021.232.39.20
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