b.

URS (now AECOM)

Anchorage, Alaska

Owner’s Rep/Prime

Kumin provided the architectural design, general code analysis, coordination, and construction administration assistance.

The project consists of the Shipyard Assembly Hall and Production Center/Steel Shop--welding and ship building/assembly spaces--and an attached 5-story office building. The 250 Ft x 100 Ft x 130 Ft tall, 1-story Assembly Hall is adjacent to a 175 Ft x 40 Ft x 90 Ft tall 5-story production complex that includes supporting fabrication shops, warehousing, offices, and training spaces. In total there are 5 connected buildings with varying roof heights.

The roof system is a low-slope internally drained roof with parapets. Extensive lightning protection rods and copper cabling were fitted to the top parapets of each roof structure, encompassing approximately 39,596 SF of rooftop. The buildings are steel frame with insulated exterior metal panels and clerestory daylighting. The Assembly Hall contains a ship lift that allows for construction of large vessels within the facility, including new Alaska State ferries. The facility gained prominence for housing the industrial fishing vessel, Arctic Prowler, and features unique design considerations including climate, weight requirements, and allowance for specialized machinery.

CHALLENGES

Challenges included very high winds along the Ketchikan waterfront, many roof curbs and roof-mounted equipment items, structural brace penetrations at roof parapets, and integration of OSHA tie-off points for worker safety.