As your business grows, eventually it will outgrow its existing facility. So, what’s the best way to proceed in that case? Build new or add on?
Showing good stewardship of the environment and organizational resources, more organizations are choosing additions over new construction, but adding onto your building doesn’t necessarily mean the project will be simple. There are important structural considerations for additions, too.
Our Knoxville structural engineering firm was part of an award-winning addition project in our hometown recently. The Knoxville Utilities Board Engineering Building received honors for Environmental Stewardship in the Keep Knoxville Beautiful Orchids Awards. We partnered with McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects to deliver a 50,000 square-foot addition to the utility’s existing Operations Building, connecting the two with an open, airy staircase.
In 2017, we partnered with the same architects for an addition to Rockwood Electric, another East Tennessee utility looking to expand while retaining the character of their existing building.
Both of these projects benefited from our structural engineering expertise. Here’s why.
What’s the Load?
When you add on to any structure, it’s important to make sure it can withstand the load from the addition. If you neglect this piece, it could result in massive damage to the original building, plus safety issues.
A structural engineer can accurately calculate the load an addition will exert on the existing building and whether the building can withstand that force. If not, the structural engineer can recommend reinforcements or new structural elements that can help support the addition.
The Right Materials
It’s important that an addition blends with or matches the look and feel of the original structure. Or perhaps the goal of the addition is to help the structure blend better with its surroundings. A structural engineer can recommend safe, long-lasting materials that will also achieve your aesthetic goals for the structure.
Designing for the Future
Adding on to your current facility will hopefully give your organization plenty of room to grow, ensuring a bright and healthy future. Partnering with the right professionals can ensure that your facility will meet your needs for a long time to come. If you would like to learn more about the services we offer at Haines Structural Group, just call us at (865) 329-9920 or contact Haines online.