INNOVATION July-August 2013

. 2013 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

2012

Oakland International Airport South Field Runway Safety Area

Regent Emirates Pearl Hotel Located amongst palaces and high profile skyscrapers on the Cornich Street of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, the new mixed-use $287 million Regent Emirates Pearl development will rise 840 ft. above ground. The expansive plot area of 146,500 sq. ft. provides some of the best views of the city, turquoise water of the Arabian Gulf and the luxurious Emirates Palace. The Port of Oakland is undertaking several projects at Oakland International Airport (OAK) to upgrade Runway Safety Areas (RSAs). URS Canada Inc. was involved in the final design and construction documents of the South Field RSA Project. The project proposed runway and taxiway extensions as well as temporary taxiway connectors that minimize impact to the runway operation. URS is also providing construction management service for this project. Budgeted for USD $35 million, the construction is currently underway and the project is anticipated to be completed by Fall 2014. This project aims to reduce impact to existing wetlands, minimize impact to runway operation, reduce or eliminate flight diversions and provide additional safety to the air passengers and aircraft. Owner: Port of Oakland. Prime consultant: URS Corporation. Professionals involved: Valentino Tjia, P.Eng.; Jim Cooke, P.Eng.; Tony Raposo, P.Eng.; and Joanne Slazyk, P.Eng.

Gas Station Canopies Terpel, a Colombia-based petroleum retailer, wanted a new corporate image for their gas stations. FormaShape’s design team created a new architectural fascia design using translucent fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP), polycarbonate sign features, and FRP column cladding. The canopy FRP panels and wordmark branding element feature LED back-lighting to The Pearl’s signature feature is the 45-storey twisting elliptical floor plan, which contains 60 luxury serviced apartments occupying levels one thru 10 and a five-star hotel including presidential and royal suites from level 11 upward. The expansive podium area includes five levels of restaurants, retail areas, spas, swimming pools, gym and more with another five levels of underground parking. The total project build-up area is 55 storeys and 1.4 million sq. ft. Owner: Arabian Construction Company. Firms involved: Dennis Lems Architects Associates, DeSimone Consulting Engineer.

lower energy consumption and enhance the night-time appearance. Following evaluation of two prototype canopies at the Kelowna factory to confirm design concepts, the chosen design went straight into production and the initial order of eight canopies was delivered to the customer in 10 weeks. Production is currently ongoing in Kelowna, BC, for the first-year order of 250 stations’ worth of FRP material in the five- to six-year-program. Owner: Terpel. Design and manufacturing: FormaShape (General manager: Tim Boothman P.Eng.; Project manager: Alex Greer P.Eng.; Product Design: Russ Mulder, AScT; Site Design: Charles A. Stuart, P.Eng.)

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