Johnson-Whittle and Pyon-Chen Residence Halls and Dining Facility
As the Geotechnical Engineer of Record for the Johnson-Whittle and Pyon-Chen Residence Halls, D.W. Kozera, Inc. (DWK) collaborated with Ayers Saint Gross to bring innovation and sustainability to the forefront of the project. This LEED Silver project features two residence halls with 303,500 gross square feet, in total. The halls boast 902 beds, study and collaboration space, and University Honors faculty offices.
DWK conducted a subsurface investigation, unraveling the complexity of the natural Coastal Plain soils and Man-placed Fill that underlay the project site. DWK’s ingenuity surfaced by recommending a combination of spread footing support of natural soil and an innovative ground improvement system featuring Compacted Aggregate Piers (CAP’s). This strategic choice not only showcased cost-effectiveness but also marked a reduction in the project’s carbon footprint. The use of CAPs reinforced the existing Man-placed Fill, eliminating the need to export in-situ material and import new materials.
DWKs commitment to sustainability and efficiency played a role in the project’s success as our engineering solution navigated the complexities of the subsurface conditions, while also providing a cost-effective and environmentally conscious geotechnical solution.
Project Partners
Architect: Ayers Saint Gross
Civil Engineer: Site Resources, Inc.
Structural Engineer: Hope Furrer AssociatesGeneral
Contractor: Holder Construction