By: RK Mechanical
RK Mechanical, Inc. won two Award of Excellence trophies at the ABC-EIC awards on October 19th. One was awarded for the new Rooftop at Coors Field and the other was for the work that RK did on the Aspen Art Museum. RK also won a second place Award of Merit trophy for the Denver Union Station project.
The Denver Union Depot, located at 17th and Wynkoop, opened to the public on June 1, 1881. Constructed by the Union Depot and Railroad Company of Colorado, it was the largest building in the West, at the time, at 500 feet long and 65 feet wide. Shortly after opening to the public the Depot was hosting between 60 to 80 trains each day heading to both mining towns and Plains cities.
1894 brought significant changes for the station. A portion had to be rebuilt after an electrical fire. The original Depot center was demolished that same year, due to increasing railroad operations and travel volume. The renovations were completed in 1914 and the Depot was renamed Denver Union Station. The iconic “Travel by Train” signs were added over the exterior clocks – their bright orange glow dubbed a new neighborhood landmark.
The west continued its explosive growth and Denver was no exception. In 2001, Denver Union Station was purchased by an RTD organized consortium, who has since been implementing a master plan, with the intent of creating one of the nation’s largest transportation hubs. Construction began on December 3, 2012 and in July of 2014, on its 100th Anniversary, Denver Union Station reopened to serve the Mile High City – restored and revitalized to meet the modern needs of an ever changing metropolis.
The new elegant and modern Denver Union Station is a mixed-use, transit-oriented hub featuring The Crawford Hotel, a 112-room independent hotel on the upper levels, 22,000 square-feet of ground floor space for up to 10 independent retail and restaurant operations, 12,000 square-feet of public common space, the ‘Great Hall’ and 4,000 square-feet of outdoor plaza space – all created with a faithful and confident nod to the iconic history that has played a vital role in the growth of Colorado and its capital city.
In order to help bring their conceived facility to life, Sage Hospitality Group, Larimer & Associates and Amtrak partnered with Milender White Construction Company for general contracting and Tryba Architects. With a proven track record of successfully completing complex multi-use downtown projects, RK Mechanical, Inc. was selected as mechanical contractor.
As an ASME and AISC certified contractor, RK Mechanical is rooted in tested processes designed to deliver predictable results. Surprise internal audits throughout the duration of the project helped to ensure that the team was doing what they said they would do with the appropriately trained and certified personnel, as well as properly documenting progress along the way. By ensuring clarity of goals and expectations, the RK Mechanical team was able to effectively work with on-site personnel at the mechanical manpower peak without compromise to standards.
Tracking deficiencies while building a hotel can be difficult due to the sheer number of rooms and spaces. Without a system to thoroughly document installation, it’s likely that quality could slip, creating lengthy punchlists. To avoid any unforeseen errors on the Denver Union Station Hotel, RK Mechanical implemented BlueBeam Studio software. The team loaded drawings onto Bluebeam Studio and coordinated walks with small business partners to ensure transparency and open communication. By using Studio, the team was able to do live updates to the drawings so that crews could walk the building and update the drawings at the same time.
In addition to BlueBeam, quality deficiencies were noted and photographed and the pictures were posted directly to the drawings and rooms where the issues occurred. These drawings were then shared with the entire construction team so that crews could stay on the same page and correct outstanding items. This method saved time in documenting progress and keeping the time sensitive punchlist items to a minimum.
There were a number of challenges regarding scheduling on the project that occurred before RK was on-site, including delays on large-scale orders of equipment from factories. These two factors had a ripple effect that stalled the rough-in finish on floors near the end of the project. To combat these unforeseen delays, the project team created weekly plans and schedules that included an extra meeting and walk-through of each floor with all trades. After the meeting and walk-through, the combined crew of trades would put together one week schedules, outlining trade-specific tasks with extremely tight sequencing. Each activity had a ‘sign-off’ that was posted on the floor plan to document that each trade was progressing as planned – this let the subsequent trade know what work was then available to them. Through this process, the team was able to overcome the project delays and stay within the original contract schedule.
Due to the building’s rich history and meaningful presence in Colorado, the transit hub has been a venue worth saving. In light of that, the project team was forced to work with and abide by the historical requirements set in place by the National Park Service (NPS). An agency of the United States federal government, the NPS manages all U.S. national parks, monuments and other conservation and historical properties. During the construction process, the NPS would randomly walk the jobsite and make special requests they deemed necessary to preserve the historical integrity of the building. It was nearly impossible for the construction team to anticipate what the NPS would find, often making their visits disruptive to work flow and schedules. However, while it was a great challenge to meet their high expectations while being mindful of budgetary concerns, RK Mechanical values the role it played in restoring the historic facility.
One of the main difficulties encountered in completing the project was an incorrect existing structural 3D model. The 3D model that was provided to the team for coordination and installation purposes was wrong. This error meant that when the CAD department drew in pipe or duct, it was often in conflict with existing structural beams or columns. To correct this potentially disastrous issue, the team placed two dedicated CAD team members on-site and left a field person at their disposal. The selected field person would run back and forth from the on-site CAD station to various structural elements within the building to verify the location of actual beams and columns. The RK crew was able to correct the structural model so it could be used as a tool to properly coordinate installation on the rest of the project.
By: RK Mechanical
RK Mechanical, Inc. won two Award of Excellence trophies at the ABC-EIC awards on October 19th. One was awarded for the new Rooftop at Coors Field and the other was for the work that RK did on the Aspen Art Museum. RK also won a second place Award of Merit trophy for the Denver Union Station project.
While the original plan for Coors Field, located at the now-famed corner of 20th and Blake Street in Denver, was for a modest stadium of 43,800 seats, the first season of Rockies baseball, played at Mile High Stadium, set an all-time MLB single season attendance record of 4.5 million. Due to the mass amount of fans and interest, the construction team added an additional section to the stadium plans – specifically the right upper deck.
Hailed as one of the most spectacular stadiums in MLB, Coors Field’s history goes beyond its 1991-1995 construction. In 1994, the construction team made a discovery of ancient archaeological proportions – a Cretaceous-era dinosaur egg, an unidentified dinosaur rib, and the crown-jewel: a 7-foot-long, 1,000-pound Triceratops’ skull. The discoveries of the fossils led to the birth of Dinger – the purple dinosaur mascot of the Colorado Rockies.
Coors Field officially opened for the start of the 1995 MLB season, hosting its first game on April 26th. Cultivating the next generation of fans, the Colorado Rockies announced in October of 2013 their plans to add a brand new rooftop viewing and entertainment area on the upper right field deck and concourse. Populous, the original architect on Coors Field, created a master plan for the new, two-level, 38,000 square-foot area to include multiple bars, restaurants and social gathering areas to be completed with a ‘LoDo’ (Lower Denver) theme, including stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.
In order to help bring the new rooftop area to life, the Colorado Rockies partnered with Mortenson Construction for their general contractor, Populous and ME Engineering. With a proven track record of successfully completing complex stadium projects, RK Mechanical, Inc. was selected as the mechanical contractor for the Rooftop at Coors Field.
As an ASME and AISC certified contractor, RK Mechanical is rooted in tested processes designed to deliver predictable results. Surprise internal audits throughout the duration of the project helped to ensure that the team was doing what they said they would do with trained and certified personnel, as well as properly documenting progress along the way. By ensuring clarity of goals and expectations, the RK Mechanical team was able to effectively work with on-site personnel without compromising standards.
There were a number of challenges regarding scheduling on the project that occurred while RK was on-site, including an extremely short time line and the freezing temperatures that come with Colorado winters.
The crew worked outside in the dead of winter and experienced multiple delays due to -20 degree temperatures. Not only were the team’s toes and fingers numb, the adhesive glues would actually freeze during installation, limiting exposure duration. On several occasions, the team would have to stop work for the inclement weather and work longer shifts the following week to make up for the schedule delays.
In order to meet the quick project deadline and combat the unpredictable weather, team members were asked to work 60-70 hours per week. This daunting task was met with employee perks and motivating incentives including weekly gift card drawings to those who worked over 60 hours the week before. This tactic kept employee morale high and inspired the team to keep pushing toward the project deadline.
Value engineering generates alternatives that secure essential system functions at the best project value. Implementation and rigorous use of value engineering strategies help to keep the project within budget. RK Mechanical’s level of experience in selecting equipment, systems options, and constructability, all play a major role in the value engineering effort. On the Rooftop at Coors Field project, the RK Mechanical team followed strict processes to keep the project within budget, while maintaining the integrity of the design intention.
In addition to the quick schedule and wicked winter weather, the RK team was met with an additional obstacle – the stadium itself. Half of the area below the concourse level was above part of the stadium seating. In order for the team to complete the below slab plumbing, they had to erect a 250-foot long, 30-foot wide and 30-foot tall ‘dance floor’ scaffolding. The ‘dance floor’ allowed the team to reach the below slab to install the new plumbing system.
The team’s creativity was also tested while setting project equipment, due to the downtown location. The team was tasked with placing the make-up air units (MAUs) by flying them in over the top of the stadium without disrupting or hitting any of the expensive and hard to replace stadium lighting. Completing this assignment involved an extremely large crane and meticulous attention to detail. The crew was able to place all of the project equipment without error, due to constant communication and team collaboration.
The Rooftop at Coors Field project was finished in March of 2014 just before Opening Day in April. The new, 38,000 square-foot space hosts an abundance of food vendors, including the Tavern Ballpark, CHUBurger Colorado Craft Casual Grill and Tuaca Terrace Bar. In addition to the new restaurants and bars, fans can utilize the new garden setting area and cabanas, watch the game on the outdoor TVs, enjoy pre-game entertainment and, of course, root for their Colorado Rockies to win!
By: RK Mechanical
On October 19th, 2014, RK Mechanical, Inc. won two Award of Excellence trophies at the ABC-EIC awards on October 19th. One was awarded for the new Rooftop at Coors Field and the other was for the work that RK did on the Aspen Art Museum. RK also won a second place Award of Merit trophy for the Denver Union Station project.
The Aspen Art Museum was a labor of love from the beginning. Known for its “A-list” residents, exquisite homes and breathtaking vistas, Aspen, Colorado has become one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. It is home to affluent and influential executives, movie stars and musicians, making it the site of some of the most expensive real estate in the nation.
Since the community is accustomed to only the finest of everything, residents and visitors have high expectations for the city’s buildings and architecture. With that in mind, the Aspen Art Museum hired Shigeru Ban, the top architect in the world, to design their new digs. Ban, known for his unique use of cardboard tubes, won this year’s Pritzker Prize, architecture’s highest honor. He dreamed up the new 33,000 square-foot museum to fit within the city’s astonishing mountain landscape located at the base of the luxury ski resort.
Intended to be a multi-use structure, Ban’s design welcomed visitors and locals, encouraging them to use the space as a public area. With jaw-dropping views of Ajax Mountain, the property would be accessible, free of charge, including the roof deck and café. Every aspect of the design was crafted to reflect the style and grace of the community, married with the rugged and glorious landscape. This might be illustrated best by Ban’s exposed three-dimensional truss ceiling.
In order to help bring their conceived facility to life, the Aspen Art Museum teamed with Turner Construction Company for their general contracting, along with Shigeru Ban Architects and CCY Architects. With a proven track record of successfully completing complex mountain projects, RK Specialties, Inc. was selected as the steel fabricator of choice. Everyone on the team knew this was no ordinary project. They also knew they were up to the challenges that would lie ahead.
As an American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) certified contractor, RK Specialties (RKS) is rooted in tested processes designed to deliver predictable results. The success of the project was due to having appropriately trained and certified personnel on site and properly documenting progress along the way. By ensuring clarity of goals and expectations, the RKS team was able to effectively work without compromise to ensure high safety and quality standards.
The remarkable museum design posed many difficulties for the project team as the exterior of the building was comprised of glass, structural steel and Prodema wood paneling. Behind the wood is 40 tons of structural steel and behind the steel is a wall of glass. In order to fabricate the steel to fit the building specs, the RKS team opted to pre-assemble all of the steel components in the shop to pass a ‘fit check’ (in-house quality procedure). Once the steel was fabricated and passed the check, the team delivered it to the project site where it had to be disassembled, and reassembled all over again.
Although this process required more work on the front end, it mitigated the risk of not meeting the building size requirements during the crucial installation phase.
The Aspen Art Museum had a very aggressive schedule, with construction beginning in March of 2013 and completion planned for July of 2014. Although this type of schedule is normal and expected in the construction industry, nothing about working in Aspen was normal.
The physical location of the project was the number one challenge. The city is located just under 180 miles away from the RK Specialties shop in Henderson, Colorado, at an elevation of 7,900 feet. Not only was the distance a factor for meeting delivery requirements, but the infamous and inconsistent Colorado winter weather also played a key and, often vicious, role.
The crew was forced to make tough decisions regarding travel and safety when faced with the blustery and treacherous conditions presented by I-70’s Vail Pass. Weather often forced crews to turn around before ever reaching the job site.
All of these factors played a big role in the RKS project team’s schedule management. In order to combat the scheduling interferences, the team used Bluebeam software to stay organized and share information internally, the structural steel was pre-assembled in the shop to avoid possible size inaccuracies, and there was consistent communication between the various trades to make sure they were still on schedule for deliveries, in addition to accounting for the chance of inclement weather and working around the remote project location, regarding distance and travel time.
The construction team was handed their biggest project challenge right from the start. Both the Aspen Art Museum and the world-renowned architect Ban knew what they wanted the museum to look like, but they had absolutely no idea how it was going to be built. For example, the staircase was not a normal design, in that it was to be accessible from both the inside of the building for those viewing the exhibits, as well as from the outside of the building for public access to the roof. With the help of the 50 plus person in-house CAD Department, the RKS team was able to provide value analysis, conquering the test through multiple rounds of design changes and on-going collaboration with the glass and wood construction teams. In addition to CAD, the team used a value engineering, pre-assembly approach in the shop for all of the structural steel components prior to project installation.
Aspen, like the majority of ski resorts throughout Colorado, gets a heap of snow each winter. This is great news for those who snowshoe, ski, snowboard, snowmobile, etc. But it is less appealing news for construction companies who are selected to work there. While the new Aspen Art Museum was being built, the city was blessed with just under 200 inches of snow. Although it is not possible to control Mother Nature, it serves as a true test to the skill and flexibility of construction teams when her interruptions can be effectively managed.
The Aspen Art Museum opened on the 9th of August, 2014, hosting museum tours, concerts, films, a dance party and even a sunrise yoga session!