April 24, 2014

ABC Awards • Commercial Construction

Photo courtesy of Synergy Construction

There was no lay-down or storage room outside the tight construction site at The Cove.

The Cove apartments (leasing office, fitness center)
Synergy Construction

Architect: Weidner

Engineer: DHP Engineers

Owner: The Cove Apartments LLC

ABC members: Heiberg Inc.; Propel Insurance; Schmitz & Associates; Sound Glass Sales

Synergy Construction demolished the existing leasing office and built a new 2,170-square-foot building to house the leasing offices at The Cove apartments. A separate 490-square-foot fitness center with an exterior glass-block shower was built adjacent to the leasing office and the existing pool and spa.

The building’s main room has cathedral ceilings, a folding-glass security door, and a glass partition separating the office from leasing areas. Exterior finishes include cultured stone veneer and Hardie siding. The steep-pitch roof has architectural-grade composition shingles.

Hooking up sewer and drainage were significant challenges, as the existing storm pipe was not in the location shown. Likewise, the existing sewer pipe for outfall was not correctly sited. Working with the civil engineer who developed an alternative design, Synergy was able to use his plan and a camera in the pipes to find suitable connections.

All construction was done while the apartments were occupied. There was no room outside the construction area for lay-down or storage, and utility vaults had to be moved with no interruption in service. When the project was nearly complete, the owner wanted the pool and spa upgraded to current codes requiring new drains, a new pump and heating units. Synergy then demolished and replaced the pool deck.

With a tight landscaping budget, the Synergy team reconfigured the irrigation system, built a subterranean stormwater infiltration system to cover the added building and other impervious surfaces, and installed a small rain garden.

Management and tenants were well informed and adhered to safety requests, allowing the project to be completed with no accidents in 1,462 hours of work.

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