Jim Ayers Tower
Nashville
Better project
Sent by Nautical
Owner Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Lead design firm Blair + Mui Dowd Architects
Gc/cm Robins and Morton
Structural engineer Structural Design Group
Civil engineer Civil BARGE ASSOCIATES
MEP engineer Smith Seckman Reid
Concrete contractor Nautical
The Link Tower project is the largest expansion to the date of Vanderbilt University Hospital. Built on top of the existing link garage in the center of Vanderbilt Campus, the new tower covers two foundation systems and connects to the East Medical Center through pedestrian bridges and pedestrian services. The construction of chartering was commissioned to increase its load capacity while building a 15 -story structure on the place above.
The reach of the construction of the letter began with the increase in the structural capacity of the garage, which supports half of the new tower. The other half of the structure is supported by a new construction system. After establishing the foundation, Charter directed the construction of the 15-story tower on the site, initially advancing the west side of the building before structurally tie to the east side as the project progressed vertically.
With limited space and evolutionary design, structural work began before soil designs were definitive, complicating the coordination of the MEP. The teams shared logistical tools and held weekly commercial meetings to maintain constant progress.
Noliejada construction photo
Sequencing and communications were critical of the logistically complex site. Charter faced the regular stops of medical flights. The box site bordered two active projects, a road and an ongoing ambulance traffic.
Nautical crews worked 6 feet from a separate demolition project, maintaining security and progress despite daily structural vibrations. The crew had to strengthen the formulas through all available accessories, reinforcing the importance of cross -cutting confidence.
“The biggest design challenge was to create the necessary structural capacity at the top of the existing garage without affecting operations,” said Jared Ganstine with Structural Design Group. “The execution of the letter was excellent and fulfilled our expectations.”
The quality of the construction was tested at all levels, from the plain and the level of the slab to the reinforcement inspections in the interface areas for the structural restoration. The team also held design coordination meetings, model models and field adjustments. Despite its complexity, the structural phase led by the letter was delivered three weeks earlier than expected.
