ATCT, TRACONS AND BASE BUILDINGS

Selected work

Sacramento International Airport, Air Traffic Control Tower and Base Building

Sacramento, California

Owner

FAA - Western Service Area

Size

550-SF Control Cab

155 Foot Tower

9,700-SF Base Building

Cost

$31,034,000

Scope

Site Planning, Design, Construction

Documents, Full Architectural/Engineering Services

Completion

June 2015 (design)

This project involves a replacement airport traffic control tower and the establishment of an administrative base building at Sacramento International Airport. It includes site adaptations of a modified standard FAA Intermediate Activity Level Tower with a 155-foot tower and a base building following a modified standard floor plan for an FAA 9,000-SF administrative base building with a custom link.

The tower is a 12-sided polygon in plan, with the 550-SF control cab. The tower floor level is 136 feet above ground level. Insulated metal panels over a cast-in-place concrete wall structure form the building envelope. For maximum visibility, the control cab was designed to incorporate only four columns and uses a butt-glazed cab window system.

The base building combines the use of insulated precast concrete wall panels and insulated metal wall panels similar to the control tower. Both wall systems have continuous insulation, providing high R-values to minimize energy use.

A life-cycle cost comparison was carried out on three architectural, three structural, and three mechanical systems to consider initial costs, operating costs, and maintenance costs for the major systems and to determine which systems would best serve the airport and the FAA in the future.

Sustainable strategies include a photovoltaic field, geothermal HVAC, low-flow plumbing fixtures and the use of large window areas with interior light shelves for to push daylight deep into administrative office areas.

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Air Traffic Control Tower

Sarasota, Florida Owner Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority

Size

525 SF Control Cab

9,000 SF Base Building

Cost

$16,023,156

Scope

Site Planning and Selection, Master Planning, Design, Construction

Documents, Full A/E Services

Completion

January 2018

LEO A DALY was selected to design a replacement airport traffic control tower and administrative base building. The successful design included site adaptations of a modified standard FAA Low Activity Level Tower with a 525 SF control cab and a base building following a standard floor plan for an FAA 9,000 SF administrative base building with a custom link.

The 10-sided polygon tower are integrated with the control cab. The tower floor level is 109 feet above ground level with precast concrete wall panels forming the building envelope.

A life-cycle cost comparison was carried out on three architectural, three structural, and three mechanical systems to consider initial costs, operating costs, and maintenance costs for the major systems and to determine which systems would best serve the airport and the FAA in the future.

Cast-in-place concrete, precast concrete, and steel frame structures were evaluated. Insulated sandwich-panel precast concrete was selected for cost, durability, wind and blast resistance, quality of finish, cost, and ease of construction.

For maximum visibility, the control cab was designed to incorporate only four columns and uses a butt-glazed cab window system. Insulated structural precast concrete panels were designed with interlocking edges to help ensure wind driven rain would be kept out of the building during a major storm or hurricane.

Oakland

Oakland, California

Owner Federal Aviation Administration, Western Pacific Region

Size

219 Feet (to Cab Floor)

13,000 SF Base Building

Cost

$34,025,686

Scope Design, Project Management, Construction

Documents including SWPPP

Completion

February 2015

Awards

2013 FAA National Award Winner for Sustainable Building Achievement

2014 DOT National Award Winner in Sustainable Buildings Achievement Category

Oakland International Airport is one of the country’s most sustainability-conscious airports in the country, and the first to receive LEED® Silver Certification for a passenger terminal. Now, its air traffic control tower is also a triumph of green design. This 219-foot tower and 13,000-SF base building is designed to LEED® Gold standards and includes photovoltaic, geothermal HVAC, and blast-resistant design.

The control tower employs the use of the SidePlate™ system for efficient seismic protection, as well as a blast-resistant panel system to provide additional anti-terrorism force protection. The site includes a bio-retention system and a rain water collection system for irrigation.

The roof of the two-story base building supports a photovoltaic system and also was designed as an antenna array. Parking shelters also support photovoltaic panels that were necessary to meet the requirements of LEED® Gold certification.

Wilkes-Barre / Scranton International Airport, Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and TRACON

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Owner Federal Aviation Administration, Eastern Region

Size

132 Foot Tower

8,000 SF TRACON

Cost

$14,650,000

Scope

Master Planning, Design, Construction Documents, Full Architectural and Engineering Services

Completion

January 2012

Master planning, architectural design, and engineering services were provided by LEO A DALY for this 132-foot air traffic control tower (ATCT), and an 8,000-SF terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facility. The tower is located directly across the terminal providing best visual advantages for air traffic control operations. Due to the location of the new facilities (as dictated by the FAA), over 4,500 lineal feet of roads, water, sewer, electrical, cable, and communications lines were installed. Additionally, the airport security fencing and gate system for operations required re-design. All site engineering was coordinated with the airport’s future plans to add a major general aviation.

Unique Challenges

The site of the ATCT required research of current coal mining operations beneath the airport. The entire site exhibits no more than 12-36 inches of soil over rock/coal. The civil design provided alternatives for the roadway, water system, sewer system, fencing alignments, and pavement options.

Due to the remote location of the new facilities, over 4,500 lineal feet of roads, water, sewer, electrical, cable, and communications lines were installed. Existing airfield cabling and duct banks were evaluated for reuse, where possible, to control costs. Additionally, the airport security fencing and gate system for operations required re-design.

Fort Bliss Army Base, Air Traffic Control Tower

El Paso, Texas

Owner US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District

Size

97 Foot Tower 3,600 SF Base Building

Cost

$13,977,664

Scope Programming, Planning, Architecture, Structural, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Fire Protection, Sustainability

Completion

March 2017

LEO A DALY was selected by the US Army Corps of engineers-Fort Worth District, to design, develop the designbuild construction documents, and provide construction administration services for the new 10-story control tower and 3,600-SF administrative base building at the Fort Bliss Army Base.

This control tower is a critical element in the mission control of the Army Base and mission that includes the operation and control for the 1st Armored Division‘s 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, and the 127th Aviation Support Battalion, made up of AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, and CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

The control tower also is responsible for air traffic control of a wide variety of other rotor and fixed-wing aircraft that participate in a variety of training and day-to-day aircraft mission critical operations. The project also includes a communications transmitter building and three remote transmitter receiver antennas.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Air Traffic Control

Tower Mesa, Arizona

Owner

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority

Size

194 foot tall tower

500 GSF control cab

Cost

$26,900,000

Scope

Architecture, engineering, FAA and NAVAIDS equipment selections/ procurement specifications, and independent cost estimation

Completion Date

March 2022

Partially funded under the FAA Contract Tower Program, this new ATCT replaces the a 1968-vintage tower originally constructed to serve the former Williams Air Force base airfield.

The 194-foot tall ATCT includes a 500 GSF control cab with a 164-feet AGL controller eye level, suitable for eight controller positions. The lower tower shaft portions are unoccupied, accommodating vertical circulation (egress stair tower and elevator) and various mechanical, electrical, communications, fire protection, and NAVAIDS utility risers. The upper tower shaft features a 2-story expanded occupied ring that houses various electronic and computer equipment spaces, a staff breakroom, meeting/training room, air traffic manager office, restrooms, mechanical/electrical and storage spaces. The stair tower is pressurized to facilitate occupant egress while preventing smoke during a fire event.

The tower’s seismically resistant 12-sided precast concrete shaft rests on an expanded concrete mat slab in turn mounted atop an augered cast reinforced concrete pile network. Intermediate floor slab and stair construction is also of precast design, with the upper tower expanded ring construction employing steel framing with insulated metal panel cladding and high-performance insulated glazing bands. Civil site work included regrading, paving, and native Arizona sustainable xeriscape landscaping, with a fence-secured site perimeter.

Ben Gurion International Airport, Air Traffic Control Tower

Tel Aviv, Israel

Owner

Israel Airport Authority

Size

297 Feet (To Cab Floor)

Cost

$12,000,000

Scope Planning; Architecture; Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering; Design and Technical Review and Consultation

Completion Date

2015

LEO A DALY was selected as the international airport traffic control tower technical and design expert to assist and oversee the design of the new 297 foot tall control tower for the Ben Gurion International Airport at Tel Aviv, Israel. As a member of the B. Pelleg Architects team, we provided guidance and technical expertise to help ensure that the design met international air traffic control tower design standards and requirements.

This unique design incorporates an asymmetrical circular plan reflecting architectural character and style that is consistent with the new Tel Aviv International Terminal. Designed as a high-security facility, this control tower is a collaboration of state-of-the-art systems, the latest air traffic control requirements, and specific functions unique to the Airport Authority and the local agencies involved in airport traffic control and security.

Minot AFB Air Traffic Control Tower and Base Operations Facility

Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota

Owner US Army Corps of Engineers

Size

17,106 SF Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)

10,281 SF Base Operations Facility

Cost

$6,621,500 ATCT

$5,159,950 Base Ops

Scope Design Development, Construction Documents, Construction Support Services

Completion Date

July 2013

As the design lead on this designbuild project with Mason and Hangar, LEO A DALY developed the design and construction documents for two replacement buildings: an ATCT and Base Ops Facility.

The ATCT is 10,281 SF, divided between nine occupied levels, including office and training areas and a control cab simulator. A 100-ft tall (to cab floor) control tower allows for 360 degrees of unobstructed views.

The BaseOps houses 17,106-SF of office and training areas divided between two occupied levels. Level 2 overlooks the entry lobby, and an accessible Roof Terrace provides added value and amenities to the users. As a replacement facility, the new Base Ops allows for increased technology, flexible support spaces and more efficient uses of energy and resources.

Both buildings are LEED® Silver certified. Each building was designed to comply with Air Force requirements, antiterrorism and force protection, progressive collapse, blast resistance and northern, cold climate constraints.

Toledo Express Airport, Air Traffic Control Tower and Base Building

Toledo, Ohio

Owner

Federal Aviation Administration – Great Lakes Region

Size

133-Foot Tower

9,600-SF Base Building

Cost

$10,972,860

Scope

Site Planning and Site Selection, Master Planning, Design, Construction

Documents, Full Architectural/Engineering Services

Completion Date

September 2012 (design)

LEO A DALY participated in the site selection, safety risk management, design, and A/E services for a 133-foot air traffic control tower (ATCT), and a 9,600-SF base building at the Toledo Express Airport.

Due to the close proximity of the airport terminal access road, this tower and base building required extensive blast analysis and blast hardening. The standard design was modified to incorporate features desired by the local FAA to meet local needs. The ATCT shaft was designed out of insulated sandwich-panel precast concrete panels. The precast panels also were designed with interlocking edges to resist winddriven rain and help ensure water-tight construction. The upper level insulated metal panels were backed-up by highstrength, explosive-resistant concrete panels to meet AT/FP requirements. The cab roof and walkway were designed to drain externally to eliminate bringing roof drains through the building, therefore eliminating the possibility of water leakage in the equipment rooms.

The small site required close coordination and security integration to allow access to the AOA while maintaining routine operation of services for the ATCT, as well as the operation of adjacent functions.

The construction documents were submitted to the FAA Central Service Area and the Toledo Port Authority in November 2012.

Opa Locka Air Traffic Control Tower

Opa Locka, Florida

Owner Miami Dade County

Size

193 Feet (to cab floor)

Cost

$11,098,000

Scope Planning, Programming, Design, Construction Documents, Construction Administration

Completion Date

October 2012

As a subconsultant to the civil engineering firm of Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., LEO A DALY was selected to develop the design and construction documents and construction administration for this 193-foot tall (to cab floor) control tower and 3,000-SF administrative base building for the Miami Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) at the Opa-locka Florida Executive Airport.

LEO A DALY provided all design and engineering services for this control tower and base building, with the exception of the civil engineering. Due to the size of the Opa-Locka Airport, this contract tower was planned for considerable eventual growth in operations. The tower was designed to meet extreme coastal winds that plague the Miami coastal area during hurricane season.

The tower and base building were both designed in structural precast concrete panels. The exterior colors were selected to be compatible with the surrounding architecture.

Long Island MacArthur Airport, Airport Traffic Control Tower and Base Building

Ronkonkoma, New York

Owner

Federal Aviation Administration-Eastern Region

Size

129-Foot Tower

8,000-SF Administrataive Base Building

Cost $16,412,000

Scope

Programming, Planning, Design and Construction Documents (including: Architecture, Landscape Architecture; Civil; Mechanical, Electrical, Fire Protection, and Structural Engineering; Interior Design)

Completion

March 2011

LEO A DALY provided planning, design, and engineering services for the new MacArthur Airport control tower, the base building, and access roadway. The scope included siting studies as well as one- and two-story schemes for a new 8,000-SF administrative base building. Construction staging and parking studies were completed to allow the existing facility to remain operational while the new building was under construction just a few feet away.

The new FAA Low Activity Level Standard ATCT design was modified and site adapted. The new base building was designed to meet the rigorous site constraints of MacArthur Airport. The building also was designed to be blast resistant to meet ATFP requirements.

Specific site security features included a complete relocation of the entrance drive to include the relocation and reuse of existing gates and the introduction of vertical lift gates with card reader access. Pedestrian gates were introduced to the site with proximity card readers. In addition to providing infrastructure design, the LEO A DALY team designed and specified the complete security monitoring system to include cameras, locks, controls, key cards, and multiple-location monitoring and control.

The complete tower, from the control cab floor down, was designed in pre-cast concrete for easy and quick erection and blast resistance. The base building was designed in foam-formed cast-in-place concrete for blast resistance and energy efficiency.

Grand Forks Air Force Base, ATCT and RAPCON

Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota

Owner US Army Corps of Engineers

Size

118 Feet (to cab floor)

7,000 SF RAPCON

Cost

$13,000,000

Scope

Requirements Document, Programming; Conceptual Design; Design-Build Drawing; and Specifications, including 35 Percent Construction Documents to Support

Design-Build RFP

Completion Date

December 2010

Award

Air Mobility Command, 2009 Design Awards, Concept Design

LEO A DALY designed and developed design-build bridging documents for this 118-foot air traffic control tower and twostory, 11,000-SF radar approach control center.

The scope included assessment of existing facilities and operations, developing the requirements document, programming, conceptual design, as well as limited drawings, design-build specifications, and follow-on oversight during the final design for this project.

The project is a collocated air traffic control tower and radar approach control facility for Grand Forks Air Force Base. The facility is equipped with cab simulation, five active radar positions, and two training positions, computer-based instruction, administrative offices, and duty-ready breakrooms. The facility includes an interactive virtual reality simulated air traffic control cab in the base building for air traffic control training.