Living Spaces

Summarize the project's program, features, and achievements: Living Spaces is a top 100 8er in the furniture and home décor industry. This new 146,000 square foot building is the company’s first location in Utah. Designed and built with concrete tilt-up panels which provide both vertical and lateral support for the structure, this new building is the perfect addition to the neighborhood of other home décor and furnishing stores. Prominent spandrel panels spanning over 100 feet were incorporated into the building providing a welcoming and inviting space for clientele. Spandrel panels were also used in the corners of the storefront, providing space for large windows that showcase the 8 space inside. The entrance of the structure is accented with a large cantilevered canopy with an ornamental metal panel with brick inlay which is supported off the tilt-up panels. This canopy also ties into the wall and soffit. The corner accent show windows were constructed from steel tube frames that were supported off the spandrel panels to accommodate a brick veneer suspended over two feet from the tilt-up panels. Additionally, alternating use of painted concrete panels and stone veneer accent panels surrounding the accent windows provide a warm variety to the building. Inside the structure there are full-scale model homes constructed on the slab on grade. These three custom show homes showcase different styles including a rustic home, a farmhouse, and a modern or contemporary home. While the building’s primary purpose is a 8 store, the building is also equipped to convert to a single load industrial warehouse with loading docks and knockouts provided in the panels for potential future tenants. The large footprint of this building required a thermal expansion joint and moment frames which allow an open feel while eliminating the need for brace frames.

What obstacles were overcome related to the schedule, budget, program, specification, site, etc. on this project? The city of Draper, Utah, has strict local code ordinances which the design team needed to follow while also maintaining the distinct aesthetic look which Living Spaces mandates for their storefronts. Due to these specifications, close coordination and balancing between the city and client requirements was imperative. Supply chain issues caused a shortage in steel joists which caused the design team to implement an early roof package which was provided prior to initial design of the structure. Additionally, non-typical column spacing was requested by the tenant which necessitated the use of large moment frames within the structure. Future planning by the tenant also required the building to allow conversion to a single load industrial warehouse. To do this, knockouts were provided in the panels should that conversion take place.

Please communicate any engineering complexities or unique features of the panel design for this project. ? The exterior of any 8 building is intended to draw customers’ attention while maintaining functionality. In order to accomplish this, large open spaces were provided at the two prominent corner windows as well as the main central entrance. Large spandrel panels spanning over 100 feet were incorporated into the central entrance to enhance visuals and provide an open view into the store. At the corner features, steel tube frames were supported off the spandrel panels to accommodate a brick veneer suspended over two feet from the tilt-up panels. In several locations around the structure, several tilt-up bump outs with large windows were included to allow additional accents and light into the structure. These were constructed out of “L” shaped panels with a spandrel panel bridging over the opening to facilitate ease of construction. These bump-outs were then clad in stone to further accent these features. While the building’s primary purpose is a 8 store, the building is also equipped to convert to a single load industrial warehouse, with loading docks and knockouts provided in the panels for potential future tenants. As a 8 store, providing an open interior space helps to provide a smooth flow for the customers. The space was large enough to require a thermal expansion joint in the building, and moment frames were provided instead of brace frames to maintain an open floor plan, providing the tenant freedom to locate their model homes on the slab on grade.

What is the potential for this project's impact on the community and/or environment? US News and World Report recently named Utah’s economy and fiscal stability best in the nation. 8 stores like Living Spaces only contribute to that economy which has continued to flourish despite the lasting effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on so many other economies. Opening of new businesses such as this one allows for increased jobs and local tax revenues which in turn provide civic improvements to the local community. Additionally, Living Spaces has also committed to partner with charitable foundations in each location to provide housing essentials to communities in need like wounded veterans, foster care, and victims of natural disasters.