Building Statistics (Part I) Architecture & Envelope System(s)
Architecture:
The Sears Centre will be a landmark project for Ryan Companies for numerous years. It will serve as one of several planned project prototypes that will be constructed by Ryan Companies US, Inc. and owned by CCO throughout the country. Local marketing trends and expanding residential developments have created a demand for family and large scale entertainment in the Northwest Chicago area.
• Event Level/ Mechanical Level
• Concourse Level/ Lobby/ Restroom/ Common Area
• Bridge Level
• Suite Level
(SUM Total of levels) = 4 Levels
This 4-storey arena features 3 different layout schemes for the lower level,
mid level and upper level. The lower level consist of the event floor, team
affiliation spaces, folding/ telescoping seating, commissary spaces, ice
plant, communication, electrical spaces, storage in addition to all of the
day to day facility management operations.
The mid level, which houses both concourses and the bridge level, is the
first level that aesthetic meets function. A 40’-2” slopped
curtain wall terminates on the lower concourse level. Equally important
to the main lobby is the decorative epoxy aggregate concrete walk.
The walk is an accentuation of the arena façade.
48 - 70% of arena seating is contained between the lower and the mid level.
Additional arena amenities housed in this area are the main lobby, “grand
vomitory ”- entry concourse, concessions, arena ownership staff and
administration, ticket sales and advertising, main public restrooms, VIP
reception and arena audio/ video control room.
The upper level contains the area responsible for generating the largest
sector for revenue, the suites. As previously mentioned Sears Centre has
a total of 42 suites. Each suite comes equipped with an upper and lower
suite, viewing aisle and all plumbing, electrical and telecommunication conveniences
typically found in most state of the art facilities.
A perimeter based metal catwalk grants access to RTU(s) along the east terminus
of the arena.
Applicable Codes:
• 2003 International Building Code (IBC)
• 2003 International Fire Code (IFC)
• 2003 International Mechanical Code
• 2005 National Electric Code
• 2003 Illinois Plumbing Code
Zoning and Historical:
Commercial Large scale development – Empty Parcel that has never been developed.
Hoffman Estates contains Prairie Stone Business Park which is home to the Sears and Roebuck headquarters. Adjacent zones which surround the Sears Centre site range from medium to high density classification. Within the Prairie Stone Business development is the 295 room Category Four Chicago Marriott Northwest Hotel. The upscale hotel also serves as a regional conference center.
Building Envelope:
The Sears Centre façade is a composite of varies
envelope systems. The primary envelope system used as structural cladding
for the building mid-section is a 2” thick by 3’-0” length
(Type 1) 26 gauge Insulation Core Metal Wall Panel package. Essentially
two galvanized metal sheets and core foam-in-place insulation are fabricated
and fused together creating “weather-tight” joints in the process,
thus creating a “sandwich-like” effect. Architectural Pre-cast
Panels, consistent with ACI/PCI standards and load bearing Architectural
Concrete Masonry Units provide envelope support for the buildings lower
levels. The (CIP) Cast-In Place Concrete wall on the north side of the arena
provides the wall envelope for the loading dock that is below the frost
heave depth.
Building suite areas are enclosed with 2” thick by 3’-0”
length (Type 2) 26 gauge embossed planked finish metal panels. Exterior
walls supporting the perimeter of the EPDM roof system are constructed of
4-1/2 “thick by 3’-0” (Type 3) 26 gauge Metal Wall Panels.
Roof Supporting walls run adjacent to Mechanical Roof Top Units which are
enclosed by adjacent pre-finished metal screens.
Building Stair Towers have been re-evaluated to sustain the diaphragm effect
and are enclosed via Architectural Pre-Cast Panels and a curtain wall glazing
systems.
The main entry consists of an aluminum curtain wall system. The system is
composed of a 2-1/2” x 6-1/4” mullion profile with provision
for 1” thick tinted, pressure treated glazing. Glazing tolerance for
this system is glass with a ¼” thickness.
Roofing System:
The Arena Roofing System consist of a myriad of items, however three particular topics to summarize these items are as follows:
• High Roof – EPDM/ TPO Roofing Membrane
• Low Roof – Single Ply Mechanically attached membrane
• Concrete Splash blocks/ flashings and roof drains
Majority of the Sears Centre Arena Roofing System consist
of TPO single ply, ballasted membrane. The TPO systems are attached to rigid
insulation and accompanied by metal, membrane flashing and rigid insulation
crickets where needed. The Arena high roof system encourages S, W, E water
runoff by slope orientation. Every high roof pre-finished metal scupper
and downspout is accompanied by a concrete splash block at its base. Water
runoff is transferred to the low roofing single ply mechanically attached
system, beneath concrete mechanical pavers and into the accompanying roof
drains.