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Investing in Partnership: Expanding Facilities Through Collaboration

Owners and developers understand the value of their building investments is only “skin deep.” Without a well-constructed façade and roof, a building’s life expectancy can be greatly reduced and serious problems can result. When Skanska USA Commercial Development Inc. (Skanska) needed a facilities partner during several major business expansions, they found that by establishing a relationship with Building Exterior Solutions (BES), a Terracon company, they have been able to ensure the performance of their buildings goes beyond aesthetics to extend the lives of their facility investments.

The relationship began with the design of Skanska’s new corporate high-rise in Houston. Skanska, a Swedish-based development and construction company with offices worldwide, understood that forming the right team, which included a specialized building enclosure consultant focused on communication, would be paramount to the success of this critical project.

Upholding Operational Philosophy

Located adjacent to one of Houston’s most congested highways, this building project required unique considerations including sound transmission and increased potential for glass replacement. The project was unique in that a custom unitized curtain wall design was to be provided as the full façade for the building, which was more complicated than standard manufactured systems.

Our team integrated Skanska’s philosophy of operational efficiency and environmentally responsible construction and development. Based on this approach, the team recommended design and construction strategies in order to eventually achieve LEED® Platinum certification. Reaching this level of energy performance required specialized design expertise and coordination of the building enclosure with mechanical and electrical systems.

Working with Skanska’s project team (architect, general contractor, and curtain wall manufacturer) to meet their design goals was a collaborative partnership which ensured the project quality assurance and quality control, schedule, and budget were met. For Skanska’s business expansion, BES created a collaborative partnership to make sure project quality assurance and quality control, schedule, and budget were met.

Demonstrating Expertise During Expansion

Skanska continued its business expansion with the first phase of West Memorial Place, a 12-story Class A commercial office building and adjacent parking garage located in the Houston Energy Corridor. As with their previous corporate high-rise, the distinctive project required a custom unitized curtain wall which BES designed with structurally glazed granite panels within the wall system. This tower also achieved LEED® Platinum certification.

Today, BES’ work on Phase II – West Memorial Place is nearing completion. Phase II includes the addition of a 14-story Class A office building and parking garage on the existing project site, more than doubling the lease space for the development.

Serving as a Trusted Partner

During the design phase on each of these high-profile, complex projects, BES provided the expertise to confirm the appropriateness of the systems specified, make sure that proper considerations
were included, and coordinate the integration and requirements of the building enclosure components.

Throughout construction, Skanska trusted BES to oversee pre-construction testing, site observations, meeting coordination, and field testing to ensure the efficient performance of the building enclosure. Our focus on helping clients find success in their facility projects enables us to make valuable life-extending recommendations and foster long-term service relationships.

About BES

Since 2008, BES has served as a leader in providing building enclosure services for a variety of markets including commercial, medical, education, and multifamily industries in Texas and throughout the U.S. BES joined Terracon in 2016. For both the design and construction of new buildings, and maintaining and restoring existing ones, we are committed to achieving a fully
integrated and well-performing building enclosure to support clients’ overall development goals.

Amy Peevey, R.E., REWC, RRO, CDT, is a principal at Building Exterior Solutions (BES), a Terracon company. Her experience includes the investigation, evaluation, analysis, repair design, and construction monitoring/administration for building envelope and building structural problems.