IMMI Studio/Display Building
As the construction manager, we first became involved with this 22,435 square foot multiple function building during the decision to use wood or steel structural components. IMMI wanted to consider a conference center that housed either 700 people seated at tables or 1,000 seats. We priced both designs. The smaller building could be constructed of wood or steel, but the larger span building needed to be constructed of steel. The economy of the steel structure and increasing the span a relative small portion to house the 1,000 people allowed our client to proceed with the larger facility.
We started construction on the 11th of September in 2006. As luck would have it, the rain season started early and continued through March and April of this year. We committed to being substantially complete by the end of February to allow IMMI to conduct their company-wide meeting scheduled for March 6th in their new facility. We were able to complete the concrete foundations by using dewatering techniques. The metal building erection was completed during the fall and winter months with high precipitation and cold temperatures. The metal building erector, which is an ABC member, worked through very harsh conditions that most contractors would not have attempted but also kept safety practices in mind. We started installing the roof panels in such a manner along with a second crew that allowed us to proceed with interior work while portions of the facility were not complete. This staging process continued all the way through mechanical and electrical rough-ins and interior finish work installations. With this staging and a lot of hard work, we were able to be completed in time for IMMI to have their scheduled company meeting with all their employees.
With this project being a conference / show room, the design was not a typical metal building manufacturing facility. The center core with the long clear spans is the conference room but the surrounding rooms are housed using lean-to design and a hip roof. The hip roof with two foot overhangs, and the architectural roof panels give elegance to the exterior but is much more complex to install.
 The owner did not want the standard metal building siding and suggested a metal siding that looked similar to an exterior insulation finish system (synthetic stucco). We found a company that makes a foamed insulated core sandwiched between metal siding materials that have minor striations in the exterior skin to provide a linear appearance. We worked with the metal building contractor and supplier to work out the details of installation, costs, and design to bring the owner’s desires to fruition. The local building department required the building street side to be either synthetic stucco or masonry. Due to cost and building efficiencies, we built the facility with three sides of foamed insulated metal panels and one side of synthetic stucco.
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