Could you imagine building a 12000-ton building on ground that can’t support its weight? That’s exactly the challenge faced when constructing the HELIX Tower. This remarkable building stands as a testament to innovative engineering.
The HELIX Tower is officially known as the Healthcare Educators, Leaders and Innovators Complex. The HELIX Tower has a prime location on the University of Utah’s Salt Lake City campus. It is near Primary Children’s Eccles Outpatient Services facility.
Completed in October, the HELIX project broke ground in 2021. The University of Utah needed a new space for its medical departments. The HELIX Tower became the solution to consolidate various departments.
The HELIX Tower sits on specialized piles. These piles are 45-feet long. They prevent the building’s weight from resting on the unstable ground. An existing shoring system had raised the site’s grade. However, the ground couldn’t handle additional loads.
Bret McDonald of Okland Construction explained. He said that the building has to entirely support itself. The site was constrained. It was bound by a shoring wall, light rail tracks, and another building. Access was limited to one side.
To overcome these challenges, engineers used torque-down piles. These steel tubes were screwed into the ground. They were then filled with concrete and rebar. This system transfers the building’s load below the existing shoring. The weight is not carried by the dirt.
Geofoam blocks were used to reduce weight. These blocks replaced heavy dirt. This helped build up the grade.
The HELIX building’s design addresses flexibility. It includes adaptable office modules, collaboration spaces, and wellness areas. The HELIX Tower accommodates 1,200 full-time employees and 400 medical residents. It houses ten medical departments. These include anesthesiology, dermatology, and pediatrics.
Amenities include meeting rooms, a coffee shop, and a fitness center. The design incorporates daylighting and views. The HELIX Tower also boasts a 422-foot-long sky bridge. This bridge connects the complex to the Moran Eye Center. It spans over Mario Capecchi Drive and TRAX light rail tracks.
The HELIX Tower meets Utah’s High-Performance Building Standard. It has achieved LEED Silver certification. The building features a chilled-water heating system. This supplements the traditional HVAC.
The HELIX Tower has won awards. These include the 2023 Most Outstanding Large Commercial Project and the 2022 Most Outstanding Specialty Contracting Mechanical award.
The HELIX Tower stands as a symbol of innovation. It highlights the collaboration of architects, engineers, and construction teams. Next time you pass by, remember the challenges overcome to bring this building to life. It truly declares its independence.