sweetwater office expansion

A R C H I T E C T U R EE N G I N E E R I N GINTERIOR DESIGN

2015 BCA AwardsExcellence In Construction

Sweetwater I Office and Warehouse ExpansionFort Wayne, Indiana

New ConstructionOver $6 Million

Project Overview Project Uniqueness

Significance & Community Impact

BCA Member Involvement

Job Safety Record

Images

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2015 BCA Awards I Excellence In Construction

Contents:

Project Scope

Sweetwater Sound, the top online retailer of musical instru-

ments and pro audio equipment in the U.S., continues to

grow at an explosive pace. After completing a new $25 mil-

lion, 150,000 square feet corporate headquarters project in

2007, Sweetwater had a need to expand their existing sales

floor and warehouse facilities due to overwhelming growth.

The new 132,000 square feet addition includes a warehouse

expansion of 50,000 square feet and a two-story office ad-

dition of 82,000 square feet. The office addition includes

employee training rooms, a 3-room conference center and

a music academy for individual musical instruction.


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MSKTD and Associates provided architectural, civil and

structural engineering, and interior design services while

RE Dimond provided the mechanical, electrical, and

plumbing engineering services for the project. Russ Berger

Design Group was a consultant to the design team, offer-

ing expertise in acoustical design for the conference center,

music academy, training rooms, and other sound sensitive

spaces. Weigand Construction Company served as the

general contractor.

I Academy of Music

Type of Construction

Type IIB (Unlimited Area)The east concourse is a two-story volume space, built with conventional steel framing to tie into the existing concourse. The

warehouse and office portion of the building is a pre-engineered metal building with conventional steel to frame the second

floor and mezzanine levels. The exterior envelop consists of mostly corrugated metal paneling, curtain wall window framing,

and sandstone veneer. The low sloping roof has a white, PVC membrane with several large (5’x10’) translucent fiberglass sky-

lights. The perimeter of the roof deck at the concourse is wrapped with a composite metal panel parapet that aligns with the

existing building.

Scheduling

Design began in the fall of 2012

Design complete in May 2013, Project Bid during May 2103

Construction began in June 2013

Warehouse construction completed in November 2013

Construction complete on June 1 2014 (Construction Duration: 12 months)

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Size of Structure

132,000 Square Feet

Dollar Value

$13,000,000.00



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Project Uniqueness

After achieving a LEED platinum certification on the orig-

inal building project in 2007, the owner, Chuck Surack,

wanted to continue the design of this new building addition

using the same environmentally conscious design strategies

that promote sustainability, health, and efficiency. One of

the challenges for the design team was to reuse about 2,000

square feet of existing glass, salvaged from another build-

ing, in the new building design.

The design of the south façade of the building expansion

makes use of all the salvaged glass, which saved on material

cost and kept the previously used glass from reaching the

landfill. The exterior windows and skylights throughout

the office allow controlled admission of natural light, which

reduces artificial lighting and promotes a stimulating and

productive environment for the building occupants.

I Fermata Cafe

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In addition to providing a great working environment, Sweetwater offers a wide range of amenities including a private health

club and racquetball court, a full service kitchen and dining room, coffee shops, an indoor sports simulator, and many profes-

sional services within the building. Now the building has something rather unique to any building or place of employment

with the addition of an 18 feet tall spiraling slide. The slide was fabricated by Natural Structures, a company from Oregon that

also provided the slide for Google’s headquarters office. The new slide is conveniently located at the entrance to the sales floor,

allowing the sales staff to make a quick descent to the first floor dining area. Like many of the other building amenities, the slide

is also open to Sweetwater’s visitors and is adjacent to the children’s music academy.

Sweetwater’s business involves sound, which requires several spaces within the building to have specific levels of sound quality

and containment. MSKTD collaborated with Russ Berger Design Group, a nationally known firm specializing in acoustical

design, to design the conference center, music academy and employee training rooms. At any time, one room could be used

to demonstrate a new electric guitar amp while a department meeting is being held in an adjacent room, so sound privacy is

very important to all daily operations. Specialty framing products, finish materials, and slab, wall and floor isolation details are

all unique construction materials and methods used to achieve good acoustical performance. Ongoing, clear communication

between the designers and contractors in the field addressing very specific construction details is what allowed this aspect of the

project to be a success.


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Significance & Community Impact

Sweetwater values the local music community in the same

way they value their employees and customers, so many of

the new spaces within the office expansion are intended to

be enjoyed by all and are open to the public. Sweetwater

now can provide a state-of-the-art conference center that

can be used for a variety of events of different sizes for or-

ganizations within the community.

In addition to generously supporting numerous musical

education programs in the local community, Sweetwater

offers individualized music education through their Music

Academy, which is located off the main concourse, adjacent

to the dining area. With over 500 students in the Music

Academy program, the building receives many visitors

throughout the day. Now parents have a relaxing and en-

joyable place to spend time while waiting for their child to

complete their music lesson with the adjacency to the din-

ing room and recently added coffee bar.

I Office Expansion


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As a growing business, Sweetwater continues to provide valuable job opportunities that support the local community in many

ways. Chuck Surack recognizes the importance of strong local businesses, so he wanted to involve as many Fort Wayne and

surrounding companies as possible when expanding his business. With a world-wide presence, Sweetwater will continue to

prosper and grow, providing many more opportunities that expand and strengthen our local community.



BCA Member Involvement

Contractors

Architects / Engineers

Associates

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Brooks Construction Company, Inc.

Central Indiana Hardware Co.

Hanna Bros. Drywall & Painting

Hightech Signs

L-A Electric

LeMaster Steel Erectors, Inc.

Midwest Caulking, Inc.

Momper Insulation

Old Fort Supply Company

C.L. Schust Company

Strahm

Tile Interiors, Inc.

Weigand Construction Co., Inc.

Fluid Dynamics, Inc.

GME Testing

MSKTD & Associates, Inc.

Carson Boxberger, LLP

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Job Safety Record

Does your company have a written safety and health program?

Does your company have a mandatory substance abuse program?

Did your company conduct jobsite safety inspections on this project?

Did your company have toolbox safety meetings on this project?

Number of OSHA Lost Work Activity Days on this project

Number of Restricted Work Activity Days on this project

Number of OSHA Recordable Injuries or Illnesses on this project

Were there any fatalities on this project? If yes, please explain

Did you conduct post-accident investigations on this project?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

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0

0

No

N/A


2015 BCA Awards I Excellence In Construction I Office Expansion

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I Warehouse Expansion Sweetwater I Office and Warehouse ExpansionFort Wayne, Indiana


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I Fermata Cafe Sweetwater I Office and Warehouse ExpansionFort Wayne, Indiana


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I Office Expansion Sweetwater I Office and Warehouse ExpansionFort Wayne, Indiana

sweetwater office expansion

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