Mohawk Tower Rehabilitation

May 2013

Background\Overview

Mohawk Tower is a 24-story residential high rise completed in 1972 concurrent with the construction of Indian Quad located at the southeast corner of the University at Albany, Uptown Campus. It is one of 4 residential towers at the University. The building totals roughly 100,000 SF, housing 440 beds, floor lounges, multipurpose space, building amenities and a weather observatory 24th floor. As with most of the original construction on the Uptown campus, the structure consists of reinforced cast-in-place concrete columns and two-way floor slabs. The exterior facades are clad with two-story, precast concrete panels with vertical ribs forming the window openings and horizontal spandrels corresponding to each floor level. Interior partitions are concrete masonry. The building core has three elevators and two exit stairs arranged in a scissor configuration.

Most of the building components and systems in Mohawk Tower are original and are at or beyond their useful life, requiring upgrades or replacement. Moreover, many spaces in the building were designed based on older lighting, energy, comfort, and accessibility standards. This project, which starts in Summer 2012 and ends in Summer 2014, provides a complete interior demolition and reconstruction, and will result in an upgraded, efficient and modern high-rise dormitory residence.

Scope

The interior and exterior of the building will be completely rehabbed. All 2,200 windows on the tower will be energy efficient, and the operable windows will be awning style to manage water infiltration on rainy days more effectively. The exterior concrete ribs and columns will be repaired and sealed. The entry vestibule of the tower will be reconfigured to make it more open and inviting, creating a 2 story weather-tight entry atrium. The first floor will house new, well-equipped offices, lounge, and conference spaces. Upstairs, the student suites and bedrooms will be reconfigured to provide greater handicapped accessibility, improved ventilation, better lighting, and all new finishes and furniture. The penthouse will be reconfigured to provide a new multi-purpose room and student study/work rooms with food serving areas. The project is expected to achieve LEED Silver Certification with the potential for LEED Gold.

Project Schedule (Tentative)

• Demolition and Abatement to proceed June 2012 to mid-January 2013
• Exterior rehab, including window replacement to proceed March 2013 to November 2013
• Interior renovations to proceed January 2013 to July 2014
• Occupancy is expected August 2014

Questions/Comments/Contacts

The University project manager is Dave Ono, who can be contacted at dono@albany.edu or
442-3426.

Project Renderings / Photos

(Click the picture for a printable version.)

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  Design Renderings

  

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  Rendering - First Floor Plan

  

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  Rendering - Lobby Entry

  

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  Rendering - Second Floor Plan

  

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  Rendering - Study Nook

  

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  Rendering - Typical Bedroom Floor Plan

  

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  Rendering - Typical Bedroom Suite

  

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  Rendering - Typical Accessible Bedroom Suite

  

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  Rendering - Elevator Lobby

  

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  Rendering - Twenty-second Floor Plan

  

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  Rendering - Servery

  

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  Rendering - Sky Lounge

  

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  Construction Photos 2012-12-17

  

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  Conveyer at the entry of Indian Quad moving stone to the inside of the quad

  

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  Stone being spread to provide a “floor” for the staging inside Indian Quad

  

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  Demolition of wall partitions and door frames

  

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  Demolition of finishes and framing at window walls

  

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  Demolition of plumbing chase; pipes still to be removed

  

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  Construction Photos 2013-04-25

  

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  Debris removed from the floor by wheel barrel, down the elevators and on to a pick-up truck at the entry of Mohawk

  

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  Demolition and Abatement Completed

  

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  Staging the mast climbers

  

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  Mast Climbers are installed on each face of Mohawk Tower

  

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  Mast Climbers will be used in the installation of 2,200 windows, all exterior wall repair and delivery of materials to upper floors

  

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  2nd floor saw cut and steel for the upturned beams to provide an atrium at the entry vestibule

  

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  Connection of upturned beam to the column which will help support the floor loads at the opening

  

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  Shoring beneath the 2nd floor opening to support the floor until the upturned beams are poured

  

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  Entry Vestibule: upturned beams poured and dried and shoring removed

  

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  Openings for the Mechanical-Plumbing shafts with uptuned beams poured into forms

  

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  Mechanical-plumbing shaft beams dried

  

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  Mechanical-plumbing shafts align and run from basement to the 22nd floor

  

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  Each floor is encased in fireproofing (red) so fires will not spread between floors

  

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  Fire proofing up close