The new 143-bedroom Future Inns Hotel in Plymouth is due to open in spring 2006 and will provide both the corporate and leisure traveler with superior accommodation, restaurant, bar and conferencing facilities offering state-of-the-art technology.

Urbandale, Iowa, just west of Des Moines, will soon be the home of Citigroup's new 180,000-square-foot credit card processing center. Concrete Strategies provided design, engineering, and construction services for the project, one of several the firm has completed for Citigroup.

Tilt-up construction is hot. "There will be about 2000 Tilt-Up buildings built this year," says Meadow Burke's David Kelly. "That's up about 25% over 2004, and that was up about 30% over 2003. Owners like the look of the new formliners and the brick or block finishes we can provide. And of course they like the speed of construction." In the world of tilt-up hardware, there are four players-but only two provide the hardware for the vast majority of the tilt-up panels in the United States. Meadow Burke and Dayton/Richmond (a division of Dayton Superior) are the main players, providing hardware for all but a handful of the tilt-up buildings built each year. Don De Cristo and Universal Form Clamp also provide tilt-up hardware and expertise on some projects.

The new 143-bedroom Future Inns Hotel in Plymouth is due to open in spring 2006 and will provide both the corporate and leisure traveller with superior accommodations, restaurant, bar and conferencing facilities offering state-of-the-art technology.

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA), a non-profit international organization that serves to expand and improve the use of tilt-up as the preferred construction method, is sponsoring several educational events at the 2006 World of Concrete in Las Vegas, Nev. Jan. 16-20.

Seretta Construction Inc. will wrap up its work as the concrete tilt-up contractor on Southridge IV, located in Orlando, Fla. for EastGroup Properties this month. Southridge IV is the fourth building completed or under construction in Southridge Business Park, which will have 11 buildings when complete.

A panel of industry experts gathered at the first annual Tilt-Up Convention Oct. 12-14 in Atlanta to discuss estimating tilt-up construction projects. The panel was led by Jim Baty, technical director for the Tilt-Up Concrete Association. Baty was joined by Clay Fischer, president of Woodland Construction Company, a Jupiter, Fla., tilt-up subcontractor; John Neyer, P.E., president of Neyer Construction, Inc., a Cincinnati general contractor; Philip Kopf, P.E., president of The Kopf Consulting Group, an Atlanta engineering firm; and Laurence Smith, P.E., a partner and director at J.W. Lindsay Enterprises, Ltd., a Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, design-build contractor.

The past two hurricane seasons could pave the way for pricier schools and windowless classrooms. Faced with the possibility of an annual onslaught of storms, Palm Beach County School District officials are researching the possibility of requiring all the county's new schools to be built for a Category 5 hurricane, an idea first discussed at a meeting with local legislators in September.

Everyone eating oysters at Bowens Island a year or so ago was doing more than having a meal. Unknowingly, they also were stockpiling building material for James Island's newest church.

Today's bondbreakers require special attention, not only from us, but the general contractor and the painter as well. Long gone are the days of "stand it, wash it and paint it." Anyone who continues this train of thought is asking for trouble.

2310 Crossroads in Madison, WI - A departure for the Midwest, this five-story office building is set into a hillside using tilt-up concrete erection construction. It illustrates how the method can be used to save money while allowing freedom for architectural details.

So you've decided to give tilt-up a try. You've poured the concrete and lifted it in place. Now, what? The simple answer is don't let it fall over. The wind will be your biggest enemy, and braces are necessary to resist these lateral forces until permanent wall connections can be made. The Tilt-Up Concrete Association offers "The Guideline for Temporary Wind Bracing of Tilt-Up Concrete Panels During Construction" to help you.

The new corporate office building for Harris Consulting Engineers, LLC is located in the expanding Spencer Airport Business Park near McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Harris Consulting Engineers has been engaged in the private practice of professional mechanical and electrical engineering in the greater Las Vegas area since 1983. After 20 years of leasing office space, Tom Harris decided the time was right to invest in his own building. His desire was to provide a space designed around the specific needs of the firm's growing engineering staff; and he wanted this new space to be more functional, more ergonomic and more comfortable than what was available in the current leasing market.

Urbandale, Iowa, just west of Des Moines, will soon be the home of Citigroup's new 180,000-square-foot credit card processing center. Concrete Strategies provided design, engineering, and construction services for the project, one of several the firm has completed for Citigroup.

Tilt-up construction is hot. "There will be about 2000 tilt-up buildings built this year," says Meadow Burke's David Kelly. "That's up about 25% over 2004, and that was up about 30% over 2003. Owners like the look of the new formliners and the brick or block finishes we can provide. And of course they like the speed of construction." In the world of tilt-up hardware, there are four players-but only two provide the hardware for the vast majority of the tilt-up panels in the United States. Meadow Burke and Dayton/Richmond (a division of Dayton Superior) are the main players, providing hardware for all but a handful of the tilt-up buildings built each year. Don De Cristo and Universal Form Clamp also provide tilt-up hardware and expertise on some projects.

Many factors must be considered when placing and finishing site-cast tilt-up concrete panels, but proper planning and thorough quality-control measures can ensure that this process is completed with ease. Since tilt-up concrete professionals can easily handle both the hottest summer and coldest winter days, there are few constraints on when to place concrete. As in all concrete markets, the contractor must account for panel preparation, performance of materials in the plastic and hardened state, anticipated weather conditions, and a safe jobsite. During the initial planning of any tilt-up project, how the concrete delivery and placement vehicles, as well as other supplies and equipment, will enter and exit the work area must be considered. Preconstruction planning sessions to consider these "routine" factors will not only save you from headaches and costly mistakes but ensure the success of your project.

The new corporate office building for Harris Consulting Engineers, LLC is located in the expanding Spencer Airport Business Park near McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Harris Consulting Engineers has been engaged in the private practice of professional mechanical and electrical engineering in the greater Las Vegas area since 1983. After 20 years of leasing office space, Tom Harris decided the time was right to invest in his own building. His desire was to provide a space designed around the specific needs of the firm's growing engineering staff; and he wanted this new space to be more functional, more ergonomic and more comfortable than what was available in the current leasing market.

High-Performance Concrete Comes In Many Varieties, Including These Six Popular Systems. When it comes to using concrete wall systems in sustainable building construction, the options are limitless. There are many types of walls, and within each category, many variations.

With a school district swollen with more than 350,000 students, Miami-Dade County Public Schools in south Florida is on the fast track to constructing additional classrooms to reduce overcrowding. Woodland Construction Company recently erected 54 buildings that can hold eight to 10 classrooms of 25-student stations that will be put to use for the first time during the 2005-06 school year. The tilt-up concrete structures were the latest addition to a construction phase that has no end in sight. "There's no question about it," says Victor Alonso, director of capital improvement projects. "This is going to go on for quite a while."

Concrete Construction set out to find those who are leading the charge across this diverse and dynamic business. Concrete Construction's 10 Most Influential Changing the concrete industry in 2005 are...

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association has issued a call for entries for the 2006 Tilt-Up Achievement Awards Competition.

Tilt-Con Corporation, one of the nation's largest Tilt-Up concrete constructors, began raising more than 2 million pounds of concrete wall panels at the new Seminole Harley Davidson in Sanford, Fla. on Sept. 1.

Woodland Construction Co., a site cast tilt-up concrete subcontractor that offers total foundation, slab and panel packages, has recently been awarded five educational projects.

Meanwhile, across the country in Layton, Utah, the 35,000-square-foot gymnasium at Central Davis Junior High School has become a local architectural landmark, thanks to six basketball-shaped, pecan-colored concrete panels erected along the exterior facade. Created using tilt-up concrete - an on-site process of casting the concrete on the ground and then literally tilting it into place - each panel was sandblasted to create a pebble-grain texture similar to the surface of a basketball, minimizing wall scale and adding character to an otherwise boxy facility.

A $100 million mixed-use development is under way on 10 acres in Chandler, Ariz. The Elevation Chandler project, due for completion in 2007, will combine hospitality, retail, recreation, office, and residential units with the 243-room Renaissance ClubSport hotel and spa and the Cielo Sky-Rise Residences. The hotel will be constructed using cast-in-place concrete, while the spa will be made of a steel frame and Tilt-Up concrete panels.

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David Hamilton, vice president of Elkins Constructors Inc., has been added to list of speakers during the first annual convention hosted by the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) Oct. 12-15 in Atlanta.

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA), in concert with the American Concrete Institute (ACI), has certified more than 700 tilt-up supervisors and technicians.

For years, conventional wisdom dictated that site-cast tilt-up concrete construction should be used for structures of at least 20,000 square feet to capitalize on the economies of scale.Yet, as the method has evolved with the adaptation of new finishes and construction techniques, many owners and designers have debunked this axiom with the profitable and efficient construction of structures ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 square feet. The key to success, however, clearly lies in pre-planning and approaching the design and construction process with a fresh approach, not merely a scaled-down version of a large, tilt-up facility. Such is the case for several recent projects, all of which were designed for economy and efficiency.

Long recognized as a durable, fast and economical building solution, the selection of site cast Tilt-Up for prisons is a growing trend. With concern for safety, security, maintenance and energy efficiency always at the forefront, owners of today’s correctional facilities are turning to insulated site cast Tilt-Up wall panels to meet these needs. Innovative Tilt-Up contractors are collaborating together with sandwich wall insulation system suppliers to target this market. A recent penitentiary and prison project in Tucson, Ariz. demonstrates the success of sandwich panel Tilt-Up in addressing a prison owner’s needs in a timely and cost-effective manner.

For the 14th consecutive year, the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) Achievement Awards program honored projects that use site cast tilt-up concrete to introduce new building types, advance industry technology, and provide unique building solutions. A panel of 13 judges, representing the membership categories within TCA, chose 37 projects for awards in 2005, with eight structures receiving the distinction of "Excellence in Achievement" as the top-scoring entries.

One of the more compelling arguments for charter schools is their theoretical ability to streamline decision making. Eliminate all those layers of bureaucratic fat that clog the arteries of most public school systems, the argument goes, and decisions can be made to flow much more smoothly, even when it comes to designing and building a major school project.

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Buzzwords and articles abound regarding indoor air quality, thermal barriers and "air-tight" structures - and yet, designers all too often ignore the opportunities presented by the building envelope to provide the ultimate energy-efficient solution. Although smart lighting and HVAC units can be key opportunities, selecting the building envelope and the construction method are critical factors for constructing an energy-efficient structure. One building method with a proven track-record in providing owners with energy efficient solutions is site cast tilt-up construction. The combination of the thermal mass properties of concrete, reduced air-infiltration and more energy-efficient insulation systems allow tilt-up construction to be a growing solution in meeting the needs of today's owners.

The surging demand for green and sustainable buildings and infrastructure requires an evolution in the building materials selected and how they are used. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association will present a series of workshops at Ecobuild America 2005, being held at the Disney Coronado Springs in Orlando, FL, on June 20-23... He adds, "Innovations in tilt-up wall construction, forming, concrete floor and roofing systems, can significantly increase energy efficiency and increase the speed of construction - a major cost consideration. The improved wall and roofing systems increase effective R-value and results in substantially lower energy bills and increased occupant comfort."

Tilt-Con Corp. has begun construction at the new Osceola "G" Elementary School in Kissimmee with the raising of 108 concrete wall panels. The 119,600-square-foot, $13.2 million project includes three attached buildings -- two classroom buildings and a gymnasium.

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) has announced a 23-percent growth in the use of the method in 2004. With almost 539 million square feet of buildings (approximately 215 million square feet of wall panels) constructed using tilt-up in 2003...

The TCA reported last month that its members had observed a 23 percent growth rate in 2004, underscoring a recovery in the commercial building market. With almost 539 million sq. ft. of buildings (approximately 215 million sq. ft. of wall panels) constructed using tilt-up in 2003 and approximately 664 million sq. ft. of buildings...

Pumping ready mixed concrete at a construction site requires critical planning on the part of those directly and indirectly involved in pumping. This is a case where failing to prepare means preparing to fail unless systematic procedures are in place...

The United States government operates more than 500,000 buildings. It will spend $10 billion on building construction in fiscal year 2005 in addition to $18 billion on water resources and environmental construction, so when the feds decide to build green, the construction industry has no choice but to follow.

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) reported last month that its members had observed a 23 percent growth rate in 2004, underscoring a recovery in the commercial building market. With almost 539 million sq. ft. of buildings (approximately 215 million sq. ft. of wall panels) constructed using tilt-up in 2003 and approximately 664 million sq. ft. of buildings (approximately 265 million sq. ft. of wall panels) constructed last year, the industry experienced growth comfortably ahead of the 7 percent gain logged in 2003 as compared to 2002.

Altamonte Springs-based Tilt-Con Corporation, one of the nation's largest tilt-up concrete constructors, has been awarded contracts to build three more educational facilities in Florida.

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association has announced a 23 percent growth in the use of the method in 2004. With almost 539 million square feet of buildings (approximately 215 million square feet of wall panels) constructed using tilt-up in 2003 and approximately 664 million square feet of buildings...

Washington County School District officials, together with contractors and architects, have actualized a functional prototype intermediate school that complements the colorful sandstone hills and red soil of southwestern Utah. The Tilt-Up concrete prototype is economical, low- to no-maintenance, and its geothermal heat pump system...

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA)-a nonprofit international organization that serves to expand and improve the use of Tilt-Up as the preferred construction method-continues to evolve in response to the growth of the site-case Tilt-Up method. The Association was founded in 1986 to improve the quality and acceptance of Tilt-Up, a construction method in which concrete walls panels are cast on-site and lifted into place. Today, TCA members can be found in 13 countries and represent all aspects of the design and construction community.

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) has announced the election of new board members and the slate of officers for the 2005 year. Al Engelman, founder of Engelman Construction, Inc. (Macungie, Pa.), was elected president of the TCA board at its annual meeting. Other elected officers and newly or re-elected board members for 2005 are...

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association has announced the recipients of the 2005 TCA Achievement Awards.

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association continues to evolve in response to the growth of the site-cast Tilt-Up method.

Article Provided by Architectural Products Magazine

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) has announced the recipients of the 2005 Tilt-Up Achievement Awards. In its 14th consecutive year, the Achievement Awards program was established by TCA to honor projects that use site cast tilt-up concrete to introduce new building types, advance industry technology and provide unique solutions to building programs.

The largest construction project in the history of Nevada's state capital, Carson City, incorporates some of the tallest concrete tilt-up panels in the nation. The tilt-up construction method is being used along with an unusually high, cast-in-place shear wall. These techniques are building the $132-million Carson-Tahoe Medical Center, which encompasses a 345,000-square-foot hospital...

Construction of RS+K Advertising Office in Madison, Wis., by Newcomb Construction Company of Madison earned a 2005 Tilt-Up Achievement Award from the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA).

The TCA has announced the recipients of the 2005 Tilt-Up Achievement Awards. In its 14th consecutive year, the Achievement Awards program was established by TCA to honor projects that use site cast tilt-up concrete to introduce new building types, advance industry technology and provide unique solutions to building programs.

The largest construction project in the history of Carson City NV, incorporates some of the tallest concrete tilt-up panels in the nation. Tilt-Up is being used along with an unusually high, cast-in-place shear wall. These techniques are building the $132-million Carson-Tahoe Medical Center, which encompasses a 345,000-square-foot hospital.

Members from the Tilt-Up Concrete Association recently assisted architectural students from the University of Virginia in creating a site cast Tilt-Up memorial to an architecture student who passed away during his final year of study.

For decades, the primary market for Tilt-Up was warehouse construction. In recent years, however, the demand for decorative tilt-up has grown rapidly. The industry has expanded into a diverse range of markets, including offices, public buildings, schools, and as a growing trend - retail centers.

Concrete seems to be made for the desert Southwest. Add a little color to it, and it looks as if it were cut from the baked hardpan ground. Las Vegas architects and builders love concrete-its strength, its look, and its durability. To celebrate the World of Concrete's return to Vegas, here is a cross section of some projects and methods of construction used in Vegas and the western United States. Includes a profile on a Roseville, California Tilt-Up project by Panattoni Construction.

In the wake of Hurricanes Charley and Frances, companies in many industries are seeking alternative building construction methods that will offer them greater strength against the elements as well as energy-saving advantages in the face of rising energy costs. One such alternative, which is gaining wider acceptance across Florida, is that of insulated tilt-wall sandwich construction.

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) has announced the theme and date for its first annual convention, to be held Oct. 12-15 in Atlanta, Ga. According to Ed Sauter, TCA Executive Director, "Tilt-Up 4 Today: Energy, Environment, Economy, Efficiency," was selected as the theme to highlight the diverse and growing attributes of the site cast Tilt-Up method.

Every site-cast tilt-up concrete construction project requires hard work and planning before the building can be erected. Watching the enormous concrete panels being lifted and set into place is an awe-inspiring event that occurs only with careful planning, hours of training and experience, and a thorough knowledge...

The TCA has announced the theme and date for its first annual convention, to be held Oct. 12-15 in Atlanta, Ga. According to Ed Sauter, TCA Executive Director, "Tilt-Up 4 Today: Energy, Environment, Economy, Efficiency," was selected as the theme to highlight the diverse and growing attributes of the site cast Tilt-Up method.

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association has announced the recipients of the 2005 Tilt-Up Achievement Awards. In its 14th consecutive year, the Achievement Awards program was established by TCA to honor projects that use site cast Tilt-Up concrete to introduce new building types, advance industry technology and provide unique solutions to building programs.

TCA can make that happen if you have some good jobsite photos to share. Although we have a wide variety of finished building photographs from our annual Achievement Award competition (though more photos are always welcome), TCA has a real shortage of good jobsite photos.

The advent and subsequent explosion of digital photography has had a large impact on our photo archives. Obviously, digital technology provides for quick and easy manipulation and development of photographs for website and email purposes. However, most of these images are not suitable for print publications since all most magazines require digital photos to be at least 300 dpi (dots per inch) and 4 x 6 in size - usually in TIF format. And, for cover photographs, a slide, transparency or 8.5 x 11 inch photograph is necessary. With only small digital files to choose from in our archives, the TCA is losing valuable opportunities in the media to showcase tilt-up.

If you have photos you are willing to share, please send them to TCA today. Your company will benefit from exposure as well since the photo caption and cutline will highlight your company and the project. Thank you for helping "build" the tilt-up industry.

For more information on marketing efforts being undertaken by the TCA, contact Ed Sauter, Executive Director for the TCA at (319) 895-6911.