Chandler Innovation Center

Summarize the project's program, features and achievements?

Completed in 2026, Chandler Innovation Center is a 292,327-square-foot, single-story distribution development located at 19051 S Arizona Ave, Chandler, Arizona. The project consists of multiple buildings constructed using tilt-up concrete wall panel construction, totaling 278 individual panels and a combined wall panel surface area of 198,803 square feet.

The scale of the panel system reflects the size and complexity of the development. The largest single panel measures 1,919 square feet, with the widest panel spanning 38 feet 5 inches and the tallest panel reaching 48 feet 8 inches in height. The heaviest panel weighs 213,600 pounds, underscoring the substantial fabrication, lifting, and erection effort required across the site. Exterior finishes consist of a flat paint finish, and the panels are uninsulated.

A defining feature of the project is its use of non-orthogonal panel geometry, including angled return walls and pop in/pop-out conditions, alongside cantilevered panels, reveals, and shadow panels that add architectural depth to the building elevations. The tallest cantilevered panel extends 46 feet 8 inches, and the widest spandrel panel measures 36 feet 9 inches. These features moved the panel system beyond standard right-angle detailing, introducing non-typical interface conditions that required customized detailing throughout fabrication and installation.

From an engineering standpoint, the project incorporated multiple spandrel panel conditions interacting with shared structural elements while accommodating the non-orthogonal geometry. Spandrel panels were designed to connect to common columns and return walls while maintaining precise clearances for additional spandrel panels positioned above—some of which were set at an angle. This created a layered panel system in which multiple components relied on the same bearing points, requiring careful analysis of load paths and connection behavior. The project also featured multiple hanging spandrel panels at varying elevations, each requiring specialized connection design to support panel weight while accommodating erection tolerances. The use of miters, returns, and varying panel elevations further demanded tight tolerances to maintain proper alignment and load transfer across adjacent elements.

On the construction side, site logistics were carefully managed to accommodate all 278 panels across the multiple buildings on site, including tall panels reaching nearly 49 feet in height. Coordinating crane picks and erection sequencing was a key focus, particularly for the hanging spandrel panels at storefront locations, which required additional time for alignment and adjustment compared to typical panels. The presence of angled return walls and pop-in/pop-out conditions further complicated fabrication and installation sequencing, making precise planning essential to maintaining the schedule. Close coordination among trades ensured that embeds and structural interfaces aligned correctly once panels were erected, minimizing rework and delays.

Overall, Chandler Innovation Center demonstrates a highly coordinated approach to tilt-up concrete construction at scale, successfully balancing complex non-orthogonal panel geometry, layered structural connections, and demanding erection logistics across a multi-building distribution development—delivering a panel system that meets both architectural intent and structural performance requirements.

What obstacles were overcome related to the schedule, budget, program, specification, site, etc. on this project?

The project required overcoming several schedule and site-related challenges, primarily driven by complex panel geometry and erection sequencing. Site logistics were carefully managed to accommodate 278 panels across multiple buildings, including tall panels reaching nearly 49 feet in height. A key obstacle involved coordinating crane picks and erection sequencing to safely and efficiently install multiple hanging spandrel panels at storefronts, which required additional time for alignment and adjustment compared to typical panels.

The presence of non-orthogonal panel conditions, including angled return walls and pop-ins/pop-outs, further complicated both fabrication and installation, requiring precise planning to maintain schedule. Close coordination among trades was essential to ensure embeds and structural interfaces aligned properly once panels were erected, minimizing rework and delays.

Additionally, the project marked the first tilt-up collaboration between the engineer and construction team, requiring enhanced communication and coordination to align design intent with field execution. Through detailed planning, sequencing, and teamwork, the project team successfully mitigated these challenges while maintaining schedule and quality expectations.

Please communicate any engineering complexities or unique features of the panel design for this project?

A defining engineering characteristic of the project was the integration of multiple spandrel panel conditions interacting with shared structural elements while accommodating non-orthogonal geometry. The design required spandrel panels to connect to common columns and return walls while maintaining precise clearances for additional spandrel panels above, some of which were set at an angle. This created a layered panel system where multiple components relied on the same bearing points, requiring careful analysis of load paths and connection behavior.

The incorporation of angled return walls, along with pop-in and pop-out panel conditions, further increased complexity by introducing non-typical interface conditions that required customized detailing. The use of miters, returns, and varying panel elevations demanded tight tolerances to ensure alignment and proper load transfer across adjacent elements.

Additionally, the project featured multiple hanging spandrel panels at varying elevations, requiring specialized connection design to support panel weight while accommodating erection tolerances. Together, these elements resulted in a highly coordinated panel system that balanced architectural intent with structural performance.