Preparing teens for careers through simulated work conditions, the Northwest Career and Technical Academy is a four-year comprehensive school offering eight different programs. Local students may choose to focus on engineering and design, construction management, hospitality, and media communications among other emphases. An on-site, 7,000-sq-ft banquet hall supports the culinary and hospitality programs. This LEED silver facility represents collaboration between the school district, the community, design professionals and local corporate partners. Students benefit from such amenities as a daycare facility, fitness trail and basketball and tennis courts. The energy requirements were reduced by 50% through the use of high-performance air filtration, room occupancy sensors and ground source heat pumps, making the facility a teaching tool in and of itself.

Submitted by: Sletten Cos.. Owner: Clark County School District. Architect: SH Architects. Contractor: Sletten Construction of Nevada. Engineers: Taney Engineering; Mendenhall Smith Inc.; MSA Engineers. Major Subcontractors: GSL Electric; Pahor Mechanical; Dittmeier Steel Services; Commercial Roofers.

Las Vegas, Nev.

Photo courtesy Sletten Cos.

Exhibiting the top trends in interior design, World Market Center Las Vegas is the home furnishing industry’s premier tradeshow complex. Building C opened in July 2008, with a parking garage to serve patrons of the center. Completed in 18 months, the project contains 2.1 million sq ft over 16 stories within a steel-framed structure featuring contemporary architectural design. Each floor is composed of 130,000 sq ft. 27,000 cu yds of concrete was poured for the building’s map foundation. Ranging from three to five ft in length, 194 sets of anchor bolt clusters were placed in the foundation. To form the floors, 38,000 cu yds of concrete was poured. Thirty-four escalators and 16 elevators allow patrons to move from floor to floor. Over 17,500 tons of steel was used for Building C, and the structural frame was assembled from steel columns rolled in Germany. 3,600 parking stalls and six access elevators comprise the adjacent parking structure, which is seven stories and 700 ft long.

Submitted by: The PENTA Building Group. Owner: World Market Center LLC. Architect: JMA . Contractor: The PENTA Building Group. Engineers: Desimone Consulting Engineers; Culp & Tanner. Major Subcontractors: SME Steel; George M. Raymond; Dynaelectric; Quality Mechanical; TAB Contractors; Embassy Glass; Schindler Elevator Corp.; Desert Fire Protection.

Las Vegas, Nev.

Photo courtesy The PENTA Building Group

Western Dairies’ new milk processing plant’s design was accomplished through extensive use of 3D AutoCAD. Over a period of 16 months, RHP Mechanical Systems inventoried, set and installed all mechanical and processing equipment on site. More than 1,370 hours went into design and 18,000 hours of labor went in to the construction and welding of all housing, piping and mechanical equipment. Spanning 86,000 sq ft, the plant has over 6.5 miles of piping designed to process 860,000 gallons of milk per month. Processing more than one type of milk is possible using 10% less labor due to the innovative design of the plant. The inventive piping and layout coordination design of Western Dairies is being used as a template for other milk processing plants across the country. Lower overhead for the plant is passed on to the supplier, and ultimately the consumer.

Submitted by: RHP Mechanical Systems. Owner: Western Dairies. Architect: Creative Edge. Contractor: Bi-Con Services. Mechanical/Process Contractor; RHP Mechanical Systems.

Nevada

Photo courtesy RHP Mechanical Systems

Engineered to be advanced, multi-bay concrete vault test cells, Varian Medical Systems’ LV-5 facility was constructed within an existing industrial shell. Four concrete test cell vaults, a production area and administrative offices constitute the project’s 85,000 sq ft. The test cell back wall was poured from stay form concrete, resulting in a 4-ft thick, 15-ft high structure that is 160 ft long. The wall totals 460 yds and is placed monolithically. Eleven concrete pours were required for this complex, with walls up to 7-ft thick. Minimum 148 PCF dry performance specifications were met on each of the 220 truckloads of concrete delivered. A plan was developed to ensure the structural integrity of the facility’s foundation before any concrete was poured. A micro pile subcontractor installed over 250 micro piles 20 to 30 ft deep within the building, which allowed for construction of the cells inside this highly complex concrete test vault.

Submitted by: SR Construction. Owner: Varian Medical Systems. Architect: Hoover Associates. Contractor: SR Construction. Major Subcontractors: Precision Concrete; Pete King Nevada Corp.; Mojave Electric; Pahor Mechanical

Las Vegas, Nev.

Photo courtesy SR Construction

Bringing a splash of mid-century modernism to suburban Las Vegas, Station Casinos Corporate Headquarters stands in the shadow of Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa. Embracing the resort, the headquarters has an aesthetic that seamlessly transitions between building and natural environment. At 130,000 sq ft, the headquarters combines with the resort in spirit, yet remains physically separate. Coming together at the dramatic all-glass double-height lobby, the two rectangular buildings reside within an inventive curved module. Glass walls underscore the buoyant interior atmosphere. Brightly colored modern art graces the walls, with contemporary furniture lending itself to a lucid, clean space. Corporate luxury abounds on the executive level, with hand-toweled Venetian plaster walls leading from full-height glass walls in the reception area. The owners of Station Casinos have their offices located at the north and south poles of the north wing. Plasma screens and speakers are remotely controlled. French limestone, paldao wood, and backlit onyx wall panels complete this polished and illumined interior.

Submitted by: Gensler of Nevada. Owner: Station Casinos. Architect: Gensler of Nevada. Contractor: Image Construction. Engineers: Martin & Martin Civil Engineers; Kimley-Horn and Associates; Martin & Peltyn. Consultants/Subcontractors: Kaplan Partners Architectural Lighting; Bomel Construction Co. Bacon Veneers.

Summerlin, Nev.

Photo courtesy Gensler of Nevada

One of the most technically-advanced information centers in the world, the five-story, 295,000-sq-ft Knowledge Center greatly enhances higher education at the University of Nevada, Reno. A traditional library is combined with information technology, including smart classrooms and a high-tech viewing and listening area. An automated storage and retrieval system accommodates four times the volume of a traditionally-shelved library, and can retrieve materials in less than 15 minutes. Students and researchers can study in the dramatic central atrium, which incorporates skylights and clerestory windows to bring in natural light. An automated lighting control system adjusts electric light in the soaring space as needed.

Submitted by: Q & D Construction, P.K. Electrical and RHP Mechanical Systems. Owner: State of Nevada Public Works Board/UNR. Architect: Hershenow & Klippenstein Architects; Dekker/Perich/Sabatini (design). Contractor: Q & D Construction. Engineers: PK Electrical; Odyssey Engineering; Ainsworth Associates; Hyytinen Engineering; Structural Services Inc.. Major Subcontractors: Nelson Electric; Brussa Masonry; RHP Mechanical Systems; Custom Glass; Stitser Drywall.

Reno, Nev.

Photo courtesy Q&D Construction

Nine new gates, comprising 128,000 sq ft over two stories, as well as an arresting vehicle barrier system, have been added to McCarran International Airport. The concourse highlights two clerestories supported by exposed pipe-trusses that span 60 ft. The clerestory roof is supported by super-span exposed decking, extending to 35 ft between the trusses, which is incorporated into the interior. A conical skylight allows for the display of local artwork. Resolving to form a solid relationship, the project team managed this large project through collaboration and communication. They communicated almost daily to weigh in on project decisions in order to lower response times associated with inquires during the process. A full-time safety team ensured construction was completed in a secure environment. A new standard in airport security is evident in the arresting vehicle barrier system, the first of its kind at a commercial airport in the United States. 450 bollards supporting more than 14 miles of security cable prevent vehicles traveling at high rates of speed from penetrating the barrier of the airport. The addition was accomplished in under two years.

Submitted by: McCarthy Building Cos.. Owner: Clark County Department of Aviation. Architect: Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects. Contractor: McCarthy Building Cos.. Construction Manager: Bechtel Infrastructure Group. Engineers: PBS&J; Leslie Robertson Associates. Major Subcontractors: Dittmeier Steel Services; Epic Metals; Morse Electric; Pacific Coast Steel; Pahor Mechanical Contractors; Southwest Steel; Steward & Sundell Concrete; Commercial Roofers.

Las Vegas, Nev.

Photo courtesy McCarthy Building Cos.

Complex angles and a unique orientation to detail are hallmarks of The Crystals at CityCenter. At 665,000 sq ft, the facility includes a below-grade garage, two levels of retail, and an uncommonly beautiful roof. Shaped with thousands of leaning columns, curving trusses and straight members that do not line up with any other pieces of steel, nineteen separate roofs intermingle and overlap. Thousands of massive beams cut through one another and lean in all directions. In total, 16,455 pieces of steel comprise the structure and a total of 13,900 tons were used in construction. Over 90% of connections are bolted. Because of CityCenter’s LEED silver goal, only recycled steel was used in the project. The six arcade roofs, designed at different angles to connect with the 13 planar roofs, converge at the apex of the facility. Upon completion, the arcade roofs will be encased in glass to create a massive skylight to illuminate the interior. This project required over 15,000 shop drawings, and there are no right angles or repetitions on any of the 13 planars and six arcades. An entire year of design-assist for this project was required, with the team working backward after planning ahead. Steel was installed one piece at a time, and surveyors compared actual vs. theoretical truss locations to ensure that no point was off by more than a � in.

Submitted by: Schuff Steel Co.. Owner: MGM Mirage. Architects: Gensler (executive); Studio Daniel Libeskind (design); Adamson-Associates (architect of record). General Contractor: Perini Building Co.. Structural Engineer: Halcrow Yolles. Steel Contractor: Schuff Steel. Other: BDS Steel Detailers; Silver Steel; Bryant Surveys; Local 433, Union Ironworkers.

Las Vegas, Nev.

Photo courtesy Schuff Steel