Google Kirkland

Company:
Eide Industries Inc. Cerritos, CA

Project Details

Fabric 1

Précontraint 1202 Fluotop T2
Producer: Serge Ferrari North America Inc.
Supplier: Serge Ferrari North America Inc.

Engineer Name 1
R.J. Van Liere

Engineer Company 1
DLR Group

Design Name
Erik Jarvie

Design Company
Tension Structures

Architect Name
R.J. Van Liere

Architect Company
DLR Group

Fabrication Name
Erik Jarvie

Fabrication Company
Tension Structures

Subcontractor Name
Alec Carlin

Subcontractor Company
SRM Development, LLC

Project Manager Name
Matt Aulbach

Project Manager Company
Eide Industries, Inc.

Installation Name
Albert Soto

Installation Company
Eide Industries, Inc.

Please describe the project specifications

This unique tension structure has Elevations ranging from 9' to 28' High, with approximate dimensions of 93' Projection by 96' Wide. The approximate total shade coverage area is 3,883 square feet. The structure is engineered for 25 PSF Snow-Loads, 85 MPH Exposure "B" Wind-Loads, and Seismic Design Cagetory "D". The membrane cover was made with flame-retardant, Serge Ferrari 1202 T2 PVC Coated Polyester fabric. Steel Frame Tube Dimensions range from 14", 16" and 20" Diameters. Pinned Base Plate Connections were mounted at the Deck to eliminate moment stresses on existing structures. Diablo Moment Connections are used on the upper frame components.

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

When Google announced they were doubling the size of its Kirkland campus, they wanted a unique, non-symmetrical and totally different canopy as part of their new, fun, whimsical and stimulating facility. The architectural and engineering firm of DLR Group, in partnership with property owner SRM Development, were tasked to design an iconic piece to be installed in the center of Google's newly expanded complex. From the success of the MOHAI Project in Seattle, SRM Development approached Eide Industries, Inc. to assist with the design-refinement, fabrication and installation of this monumental tension structure.

What is unique or complex about the project?

Although the architects would have preferred a flatter canopy, due to snow load requirements one end of the structure was redesigned to be 25-feet higher, and additional cables were also introduced by Eide to provide adequate slope and prevent water ponding. Five (5) upright canopy support columns were strategically attached to the underground concrete pillars of the new two-story parking structure (720 stalls).

The architect's original concept was to have the canopy free-floating in the air with a 2-foot gap between the fabric and frame along one edge. Eide introduced a series of threaded rods to the design, which not only accomplished this artistic feature, but also maintained the engineering strength to meet both wind and snow loads. The top membrane cover was also designed with diverters to re-route runoff rainwater away from pedestrian walkways.

Due to the accessibility issues of the job site, Eide's Team coordinated the use of two large cranes, capable of lifting the various lengths of 14" to 20" diameter steel tubes, from a local service roads to hold the frame pieces in place throughout the project.