M+K Article Published in Structure Magazine

We’re very excited to have had the following article published in the November issue of Structure magazine. It goes without saying that we’re super proud of the M+K staff members who co-authored this piece: Bert Coelho, P.E. [Principal + Dir. Business Development], Kevin Quan, P.E. [Sr. Project Engineer], and Micah Milner, P.E. [Project Engineer].

Steel Stud Bearing Walls

An Alternative to Traditional Podium Levels

Developers are always looking for new and innovative ways to make buildings more profitable and financially efficient. Traditionally, a multi-story bearing wall building over one to two levels of steel or concrete, also known as a podium structure, has filled this need by offering high-density residential units at the upper levels and parking or retail spaces at the lowest floors. For multi-story residential buildings, wood construction is generally considered the most cost-efficient form of construction, followed by cold-formed steel (CFS) bearing walls and then heavy steel or concrete framing. Because of this, developers have sought to maximize the number of wood-framed floors over the podium level before switching to more costly materials.

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Wood bearing wall systems are limited to either 4-stories using Type V-A construction or 5-stories using Type III-A construction. Both types of construction can be supported on grade or a podium structure. Podium structures have been covered extensively in previous articles by STRUCTURE magazine. They are proven methods of meeting not only financial requirements but zoning and regulatory obligations as well. This article focuses on an alternate hybrid system that maximizes the number of stacking levels of residential units by introducing multiple levels of CFS bearing walls to support the wood-framed levels before transitioning to the transfer level or foundation.

The Challenge

Recently, some developers have opted to add additional residential units below the Type V-A and III-A constructed units. This means the stacking residential units from above are carried down below the podium level by minimizing or removing the retail and parking areas altogether. This change increases unit density, thus maximizing more profitable areas by limiting the less profitable retail and parking areas.

The challenge with incorporating stacking units from above with a typical steel or concrete podium superstructure is the interference of regularly spaced columns with residential unit layouts. While the podium column scheme lends itself well to open spaces required for retail and parking, the standard grid pattern presents architectural challenges at residential levels in accommodating columns within the unit layouts. Additionally, non-stacking loads from the residential bearing wall system above inevitably require deep steel or concrete beams or heavily reinforced concrete slabs and may even require drop panels. The ideal column grid may also disrupt stacked window layouts along the exterior of the building below the podium level.

Architecture is not the only discipline to face challenges with this system. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems are typically accommodated by having stacking mechanical penetrations for the full height of the building. In a wood-framed building, these are commonly located within the wall stud cavity. Therefore, stacked penetrations running down through the steel or concrete podium structure invariably conflict with beam and column locations that directly support the walls above.

To resolve these issues, architects frequently need to create new unit types and floor layouts to work around the traditional podium structural elements. Unfortunately, the new layouts can create spaces that may be inefficient or undesirable to developers or prospective tenants. Continue reading “M+K Article Published in Structure Magazine”

AlfaCharlie | The Architecture Studio

Working on projects in all parts of the country brings the exciting opportunity to tackle the regional design challenges that come with them. Delivering on our commitment to “big-firm capacity with small-firm service” requires the experience and state licensure coverage to get the job done wherever the site may be. Since as early as 2013, working with The Architecture Studio has provided us the opportunity to design structures in multiple regions of the country, including: Ohio, Nebraska, Texas, and Colorado.

One of our more recent design collaborations, the AlfaCharlie Modern Apartments in Denver’s northeast sector, offers luxury apartment living across 5 independent four-story wood framed structures. Our designs provide tenants with a 2-story steel framed community space, private drive-under garages, and a variety of site structures for the outdoor amenity spaces. The regional twist for this project was accommodating the post-tensioned slab on grade supporting the wood framed superstructure, due to the expansive soils native to the Denver area.

M+K Cycling Team Rides in MS Fundraiser

M+K’s mantra is Work Hard. Play Harder. Give Back. These six words sum up our work ethic, our culture, and our dedication to a greater purpose.

There is perhaps no better example of our commitment to this philosophy than the cycling team we formed this year to participate in the MS City to Shore fundraiser. Debuting in 1980, this annual ride starts in Philadelphia and finishes in Ocean City, NJ. Its sole intent is to raise funds to increase awareness and benefit medical research for Multiple Sclerosis, an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that renders different symptoms for each person affected.

Once we decided to put a team together, we had to make it official and design a cycling jersey. That in turn required that we come up with a unique name. We did a lot of research and came across the French cycling term ‘Rouleur’ which refers to a cyclist who excels at riding on flat or rolling terrain. This definition exactly matches the topography of the MS City to Shore ride. Thus, the name ‘Renegade Rouleurs’ was born!

What a GREAT day it was! Under a sunny blue sky, the feeling of camaraderie on our team of 8 riders as well as the energy among the other 4,000 riders out on the course was fantastic! The heartfelt support from volunteers, police, and civil servants along the route and at the finish line was truly inspiring. And what really made the training and participation in the event worthwhile was knowing that the funds raised will help a great cause…namely, finding a cure for MS.

As a team, we’re thrilled to have raised over $6500 – contributing to the impressive total amount raised of $3.4M and counting! We’re looking forward to recruiting more riders and raising more funds for next year’s team…the M+K Renegade Rouleurs will definitely ride again!