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Journal & Courier Printing Press Facility
Project of the Year: Industrial
The production space of the Journal & Courier in Lafayette,
Ind., needed updating because the existing building was old,
and the production and storage space was cramped.
The decision was made to relocate the printing press to a
facility larger than the existing one and a building better
designed to house a printing press and production space than
the existing space. Another goal was to have the new space
grow and expand with the newspaper.
A new printing press was purchased. A 225-ton MAN Roland GEOMAN
Berliner format press from Germany was selected to replace
its 46-year-old predecessor.
The printing press facility was located on a greenfield site.
The requirements for the design-build project included the
following:
A project team experienced in the design and construction
of printing press facilities.
Complete collaboration of the design-build team with the
press manufacturer.
A building designed to house the new process.
A construction schedule that allowed for delivery and installation
of the press per the specifications of the press manufacturer.
A building design that was functional, aesthetically pleasing
and priced within budget.
The delivery of the printing press facility on schedule.
Three project features were unique-the glass curtain wall,
the concrete and the press installation.
About 10 percent of the 47,000-sq.-ft. building is made of
glass to set it apart from the typical industrial building.
The curtain wall was instrumental in meeting the requirement
of providing a design that was aesthetically pleasing.
Pressing Concerns
The facility was designed around the requirements of the press,
the first of its kind in North America.
The schedule was affected by the installation of the press-an
activity that took place over a month. The press is so large,
complex and delicate that the schedule was built around this
one activity.
About 10,000 tons of concrete were poured, and the press is
supported by 7 ft. of concrete. The press foundation trench
complexity required multiple concrete pours to ensure high
quality of concrete placements, including multiple foundations,
trenches and mud slabs.
Plans started at the beginning of the project by collaborating
with the press manufacturer and the owner on the design, schedule
and budget.
The press had strict requirements for the building program,
including understanding the width and measurements required
by the press for concrete and clearances, designing a building
and creating a schedule that allowed for the activities leading
up to the installation.
Once the team was aware of the requirements and developed
a program around them, equipment issues and activities were
closely coordinated with the press manufacturer.
Progress and timelines were tracked, including concrete pours
and shipping requirements. Delivery was tracked to ensure
the press bay was ready.
A temporary enclosure was used, and the curtain wall remained
open during the winter months for the press installation.
The press was installed in pieces over the course of a month,
and the press manufacturer came from Germany to install each
piece.
The installation of the press required an exact measurement,
with brass plates that were set within 1/16 of an in.
A New Neighbor
The facility was the second building construction in the area
it is located in.
Soil conditions were poor, so the site was stabilized with
lime, overexcavated and backfilled with lean concrete to support
the structure and the requirements for the press.
The site had a silt fence to protect the existing storm sewer
and surrounding properties. Utility services were brought
to the site.
Jury Comments: "Seven ft. of concrete beneath the printing
press is unique. The building is interesting. You can see
the press behind the glass, even if other buildings with industrial
uses have done that."
Click here for more Best of 2006 Award Winners >>
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