General Building Data

Building Name:                                Hecht’s Department Store
Location/Site:                                   Wisconsin Avenue
                                                            Chevy Chase, MD

Building Occupants Name:             Hecht’s
Function Types:                                 Retail Space
Project Size:                                       180,000 s.f.
Number of Stories Above Grade: 3 Stories w/ Penthouse
Primary Project Team:
                        Owner -           Federated Department Stores                        
                        Architect -        Kvell Corcoran Associates  
                        Developer -     New England Development Engineers
                        Structural -      Ehlert/Bryan
                        Geotech -        ECS, Ltd.   
                        Code -             Code Consultants, Inc.  

Dates of Construction:                     November 2005 - August 2007
Project Construction Cost:             $ 18.86 million total project (estimated)
Project Delivery Method:                 Design-Bid-Build

Architecture

The building floors offer an open space with ample room for the desired retail areas through out.  The façade is a simple but attractive draping of pre-cast panels and vision glass curtain walls framed with aluminum mullions.

Commercial Zoning
International Building Code 2003
National Electric Code 1996
ICC International Mechanical Code
NFPA-72/1996 Fire Alarm Code
NFPA-13/1996 Sprinkler Code
ICC International Conservation Code

Building Envelope

The building envelope for this project consisted of mainly pre-cast concrete panels which used several connection types: panel to column with tie back connection, panel to column with steel angle, and connection with embedded plates in concrete beam.  Also accenting the façade are three glass curtain walls along the south, west, and east elevations.  Which span from ground elevation to the third floor at the midpoint of each of these elevations. The roofing system utilizes a built up asphalt roof.

Structural System
The structural system of the building consists of mainly ¾” lightweight concrete slab on metal deck supported by structural steel. The formwork for the concrete structure will be traditional hand sawn and built plywood. For placement, concrete deliveries are made to the streets west and south of the building (Friendship Boulevard, Western Avenue. respectively) and placed using a pumping method. The foundation consists of a cast-in-place reinforced parking garage. 

Mechanical System
The buildings mechanical system is handled through the penthouse mechanical room on roof. It houses (2) 230 ton chillers with power induction boxes. The HVAC system design criteria used that of Washington, DC. The requirements for outdoor air were 88 degrees Fahrenheit dry bulb (DB), and 74 degrees wet bulb (WB). Indoor was 75 degrees DB, with a special needs area required in the cosmetics area of 72 degrees DB.

Electrical Systems
Underground duct banks are the source for the primary feeders which are routed to the building. Distribution voltage is provided at 11,256V/480/277V/208/120V. The switch boards are tin plated 4000A rated, 480/277V, circuits.

Fire Protection
A wet pipe system is utilized in this structure. Wet pipe sprinkler systems have the least number of components and therefore, the lowest number of items to malfunction.  The system is constantly filled with water allowing for the quick response time allowing for maximum protection of merchandise and the structure itself.

Curtain Glass Wall
The curtain wall consists of metal panels, vision glass, and aluminum mullions and headers. The mullions are mostly prefabricated to ensure quality control as
well as aid installation. For installation, embeds are placed into the slab where needed. These embeds will be used to fasten the curtain wall headers and footers.  The windows will then be installed from the interior of the building.