The 2010 Best of the Best: Texas and Louisiana Winners
Louisiana Superdome, Phase Three—Re-Skin | New Orleans
Region: Texas and Louisiana
Submitted by: Gibbs Construction
While ensuring that waterproofing, vapor, wind loads and other Superdome repair needs were met, a metal-wall panel system with a structural sub-framing clip-attachment system was developed so a single wall panel can be removed from any location without disturbing the adjacent wall panels. The result employs an adjustable-clip system. New anodized panels match the original facade color, with a finish that is thicker. One judge said, “They had to come up with a custom solution, which is a fantastic fit.”
Project Team
Owner: State of Louisiana, Baton Rouge
Architect: Trahan, Billes, Sizeler, Ellerbe, Becket joint venture, Baton Rouge
General Contractor: Gibbs Construction, Harahan, La.
Engineers: Thornton-Tomasetti, Kansas City, Mo.; Associated Design Group, Lafeyette, La.
Holy Cross School Campus | New Orleans
Region: Texas and Louisiana
Submitted by: Broadmoor
After the 150-year-old Holy Cross campus in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, a new 20-acre campus was built in the Gentilly area. The initial phase included design and construction of a 120,000-sq-ft facility. The team captured the school’s program, transposed it into construction documents and executed that in the field. One judge said, “The work is well done, and it shows.” Another said, “I love the sense of recovery from Katrina in a way that it is better than ever.”
Project Team
Owner: Holy Cross School, New Orleans
Architect: Broadmoor Design Group/Blitch Knevel Architects Inc., a joint venture, New Orleans
Construction Manager: Broadmoor LLC, Metairie, La.
Engineers: Lauderdale-Whitlock Consulting Engineers LLC, Metairie; Lucien T. Vivien Jr. & Associates Inc., Metairie
The Austonian | Austin
Region: Texas and Louisiana
Submitted by: Benchmark Development
At 56 stories, the 683-ft-tall Austonian had to adhere to Austin’s corridor setback requirements that all buildings offer views of the Texas Capitol and no structure fronting Congress Avenue rise higher than 90 ft. In structural terms, the building is designed much as if it were two 30-story buildings, with one stacked atop the other. It is now the tallest residential building west of the Mississippi River, the contractor says. One judge said, “It’s not easy to build a structure that big.” Another said, “Striking architecture.”
Project Team
Owner: Benchmark Development, Austin
Architect: Ziegler Cooper Architects, Houston
General Contractor: Balfour Beatty Co., Dallas
Engineers: Axiom Engineers, Austin; CBM Engineers, Houston; CHP and Associates, Houston
