Architecture Students Visit Waddell Elementary School Construction Project in Manchester, CT

Architecture undergraduate students taking the structure course (AET 355) and Assistant Professor Timothy Adekunle visited the evolving construction project at Waddell Elementary School in Manchester, Connecticut on October 12, 2017. The project was designed by TSKP Studio, a leading architectural firm in Connecticut. The tour was led by the project manager, Joon Baek, RA/LEEP AP and the structural engineer, Mike Plickys, P.E. The tour also involved other members of the design team. The site tour was facilitated by an Alumni of the University, Daniel Condon, (MArch ’17) currently working as an architectural designer at the TSKP Studio.

The site visit started with an introduction by the team members, introducing the project to students. Students were shown the architectural, construction and structural design drawings as well as specification documents for the project. After the introduction, the team took students and faculty around the site to provide useful information regarding the project. The site tour provided students with the practical experience to understand the building construction from the conceptual stage to the construction stage. Students asked practical questions regarding the structural systems of the project. The team also provided further explanations on important criteria (such as wind, seismic, and snow loads) to consider for design and structural calculations of buildings in Connecticut. AET 355 students were excited to the opportunity to engage the practical experience of a construction process and building structures.

Last Spring, Assistant Professor Adekunle also organized and facilitated a facility tour for AET 364 students and Architecture graduate (MArch) students to the Great Country Timber Frames Company in Ellington, Connecticut to understand design, fabrication and assembly of wood structures. Great Country Timber Frames Company has one of two CNC machines processing timber in the country.  Associate Professor Ted Sawruk also participated, engaging in discussion and commenting on historic timber frame structures. 

A computer rendering (Three-dimensional view) of the on-going construction project at Waddell Elementary School (TSKP Studio).

 

The structural engineer (Mike Plickys) explaining and showing the structural systems of the building project to students. 

 

Architecture structure students listening to the project manager (Joon Baek) and the team members during the site tour.