The new 60,000-sq-ft Naval Facilities Engineering Command Building at Naval Air Station in Jacksonville is a result of the command’s relocation from Charleston, S.C., along with the Naval Facilities Engineering Field Activity Southeast, Public Works Center Jacksonville and Regional Engineer staffs.
The building includes a two-story administrative facility with a third-floor mezzanine open to the second floor below. New walkways, landscaping, pavers, site utilities and roadway demolition were included as part of Haskell’s design-build contract.
Haskell provided all architectural, engineering and construction services on a lump-sum contract basis. The firm was awarded the fast-tracked contract through a best-value competition.
The work at the NAVFAC site involved 52 trades and totaled more than 146,205 workhours. According to Haskell, the project experienced zero incidents. All subcontractors were committed by contract to Haskell’s Code of Safe Practices.
One project challenge involved fire protection. Haskell’s fire protection engineer worked with the subcontractor to design a piping configuration that would not require a fire pump. This was accomplished by increasing the size of sprinkler mains and reconfiguring their installation to achieve adequate pressures.
The project also included an under-floor HVAC system. The facility’s electrical and plumbing also run in the under-floor area, for ease of future maintenance.
All contracted completion dates were met, despite the fact that six months prior to completion Haskell’s contract was modified to also include approximately $1.8 million worth of movable furnishings.
Haskell’s quality-assurance process began in the design phase, with drawing reviews conducted by the company’s design and construction personnel for compliance with scope, specification, codes and constructability. These reviews were supplemented by Haskell QA staff who visited the site on a regular basis and for special procedures.
The design-builder also assembled a quality-control team, led by a full-time, onsite quality-control coordinator. Haskell implemented a three-phase quality control program, with each feature given a preparatory, initial and follow-up review to ensure compliance with both the Navy’s initial request for proposal and the final plans and specifications.
Materials and finishes were selected and incorporated with a focus on their low- or no-maintenance features. The building’s exterior wall system consists of tilt-up concrete panels, which rated high in consideration of LEED building practices. Panels featured a thin-brick face pattern achieved through casting brick faces in form liners. Texture-coating provided the finished appearance.
A significant number of windows allow natural daylighting. The windows are shaded to control the light and to aid interior climate control.
The facility also features broad, sloping roofs, a result of requirements for sheltering cover. The roofs are clad with standing-seam metal panels with a galvanized finish that helps reflect light and meet energy-saving standards.
Key Facts:
Owner: NAVFAC
Location: Jacksonville, Fla.
Cost: $16.9 million
Contractor: Haskell, Jacksonville
Design Firm: Haskell
