The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) presents its Project of the Year Awards annually to recognize those companies who have made outstanding contributions in their profession with complex and unique projects completed with quality craftsmanship throughout the United States.
In early September, Cannon Design, an international architectural, engineering and planning firm, relocated their offices into the newly renovated and historic landmark the St. Louis Municipal Power House. Cannon Design purchased the building in 2007 and provided all design, development and construction management services for the $8 million project.
Built in 1928, the Power House, an original part of the Municipal Service Building complex, still occupies an entire block of downtown St. Louis. Until the 1980's, the Power House section of the complex provided coal-fired steam heat to a dozen downtown buildings.
Every component of the building's interior is new and designed both to current life-safety codes as well as U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) standards for environmental sustainability. The building was awarded LEED® Gold Status by the USGBC. "This award represents the final feather in the cap for the Power House project team," notes Thomas Bergmann, AIA, LEED AP, project principal. "LEED® Gold certification was one of the key goals when we began this project."
Big Boy's Steel Erection served as the steel erector for the project. For its part, the company installed the buildings two-story mezzanine. The major challenges of the project included the erection of steel frame within a 55 by 96 foot area with a clerestory height of roughly 62 feet, limited access to get materials into the building and load limitations for the amount of materials in the building.
The structural steel used in the project incorporated 12 foot cantilevered floor beams that required post shoring until moment welds could be completed. The mezzanines consisted of more than 250 large structural beams, some of which measured 65 feet. The only interior access to the project was through an arched window at one end of the building. To account for the load restrictions, the building interior was divided into 10 sections, which allowed for an average of 25 pieces per section at any one time.
Designated as a landmark by the National Historic Register, the "Revival style" exterior has been fully restored. Having a relatively small "foot print" but a massive volume offered the opportunity for the addition of new floors necessary to accommodate continuing growth in St. Louis. The concept of "mezzanines" has preserved the signature, arched windows on the north and east elevations and provided wonderful gallery and exhibit space for the firm and the community. Additional external modifications include the creation of a 3,500 square foot urban garden. The interior, which was essentially an empty shell, was completely rehabilitated, with installation of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical infrastructure.
Big Boy's Steel Erection is headquartered in Hazelwood, MO and signatory to Ironworkers Local Union 396 in St. Louis.