“Tindall’s system provided the owner with both savings and the quick erection of the buildings, which allowed us to meet the owner’s timely schedule. I don’t think any other type of construction would have allowed the project to finish on time.”
When Western Carolina University needed a solution to increase their on-campus housing accommodations, they developed a plan for constructing three new multi-story dorm buildings. These structures needed to provide substantial resiliency to stand the test of time in the university’s mountain climate, but they also needed to offer a swift construction schedule to accommodate the rapidly growing student body. With speed, quality, and performance as top priorities, WCU selected Tindall to deliver the perfect total precast solution on time and within budget.
Owner
Western Carolina University
Architect
Hanbury
Contractor
Vannoy Construction
Location
Cullowhee, NC
To meet this project’s aggressive construction schedule, Tindall leveraged the Tindall Superior Lightweight All-Purpose Beam (T-SLAB®) as the floor system for all three dormitories. This allowed the Tindall team to cast mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) components like electrical conduits and boxes directly into the slabs. While this process required more coordination with the project team on the front end, it provided a path for accelerated construction on site.
Additionally, total precast construction enabled early access for other trades, further accelerating the overall construction process.
To bring these total precast dormitories to life, Tindall produced nearly 1,700 precast concrete components, including load-bearing insulated wall panels, beams, and T-SLABs. The exterior of these structures featured colored concrete with repetitious horizontal reveals that perfectly complimented the post-applied stone masonry accents.
By leveraging T-SLAB and working side-by-side with the project team, Tindall helped deliver these structures within budget and ahead of schedule.
“Tindall’s system provided the owner with both savings and the quick erection of the buildings, which allowed us to meet the owner’s timely schedule. I don’t think any other type of construction would have allowed the project to finish on time.”