2 - Modern Steel Construction

fortunately the foundation
rested on rock," Stephenson
said. Each existing 24" round
column was encased in a new
concrete column and converted
into a 36" square column. "It
sounds like a big change, but
people don't really notice the
change in size," according to
Stephenson.
Clear Line Of Sight
Extra reinforcing a1so was
needed because the designers
didn't want any columns in the
central core area. "The entrance
lines up with the State Capitol
and the architects wanted a
clear vision line in the entry
court," Stephenson said. The
cost for reinforcing the garages
was $3 million.
The holes for the anchor bolts
were drilled before the base
plates for attaching the steel
structure of the new center to
the concrete columns of the existing
garages were fabricated.
"Because of the large amount of
steel reinforcing bars, each hole
is in a slightly different location.
Essentially, each base plate is
custom made," Stephenson said.
"The whole crux of this job was
putting a lot of forethought into
each aspect."
Because of the reinforcing
costs, it was essential to keep
the structure as light as possible.
"The need for a light structure
was the overriding concern, and
that automatically ruled out
concrete."
Instead, the perimeter of the
new retail center is metal stud
covered with an exterior insulating
system. The floors are composite,
and the roof is a continuous
beam and simple pUTlin
system. And of course, the main
core of the building is Hollow
Structural Sections. "We evaluated
a bar joist scheme, but we
had very long, 58' spans and
composite gave us good resistance
to the human perception
of vibration and motion." 0
36 I Modern Steel Construction I March·Aprill990
STEEL AS ARCHITECTURE
Whell faced wilh the
challenge of drnwillg
customers back to
dowIltoum Nashville, tlte
designers of the
180,000-"1 .-/1. Church St .
Centre responded wilh (l
drama! ic l'ltlrreJ-l.'aulted
roof. III nddi!iml to oc/j"g
as a beacon to brillg people
11110 the center, the
dramatiC exposed steel
shapes attracts the eye
upwards and draws
attetltiall to the stores OIl
the upper levels.
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