Structural design of a 680-space, five-level, $15-million parking structure. This project is located on a very tight urban site adjacent to several streets and historic structures. Special foundation detailing allowed the superstructure to be built within 3 inches of the property boundaries on all four sides. The façade is constructed with a terra cotta screen wall supported by precast concrete panels. The precast panels were fabricated with distinctive architectural forms creating dramatic shadows and a strong image of stability and permanence. The longer panels were post-tensioned to limit shrinkage, transport, and thermal cracking, which is not a common practice for architectural panels. Hidden connections were utilized to allow the architectural components to be supported without exposed steel hardware. The precast components were fabricated with embedded hardware to receive a steel chevron bracing system in the transverse direction. The bracing is hidden behind the terra cotta screen wall. This project marks the first use of this steel bracing system in conjunction with a precast structure.
