Address: 400 Palm Bay Rd NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905
Work: KENPAT played a key role in the construction of this state-of-the-art facility, providing drywall, acoustical ceiling, and wall panel installations.
General Contractor: Balfour Beatty
Architect: BRPH
Dates: November 2012 – November 2014
Awards:
• 2015 ABC Central Florida Excellence in Construction Eagle Award
L3Harris Technology Center
Situation
L3Harris aimed to create a new engineering facility to promote engineering innovation and retain existing engineers while attracting new skilled engineers to the area. The new center spans 450,000 square feet and is designed to achieve these objectives.
Task
General Contractor Balfour Beatty Construction approached KENPAT to install a variety of ceiling systems, including acoustical tiles, wood ceilings, and drywall systems, to achieve a high-tech appearance in line with the owner’s vision.
Action
The installation process involved working with radiused walls, drop-down soffits, and ceiling tiles, requiring meticulous attention to detail to ensure a smooth and finished appearance. This procedure was consistently applied across each of the main office floors within the expansive building.
Most of the drywall work involved ever-curving walls, requiring careful installation for a smooth finish. The bulkheads/soffits also followed the wall curves and needed precise attention to detail for proper finishing.
A total of over 195,000 square feet of 2x2 ceiling tiles and more than 21,000 square feet of 4x4 ceiling tiles were installed. This was complemented by standard drywall ceilings and wood ceilings throughout the facility. The completed ceiling work resulted in a smooth and modern finish for this state-of-the-art engineering facility.
Most of the ceiling is made of acoustical tiles. The curved interior and exterior walls needed precise alignment with the windows, so the shapes matched perfectly when viewed from outside. Ceiling tiles also met soffits that framed or ended the ceiling with curves, requiring meticulous attention to detail from the installers.
Acoustical ceiling clouds were installed throughout the facility to mitigate the box-like appearance of smaller rooms and enhance the aesthetic appeal of larger rooms. These clouds were designed in standard rectangular shapes as well as circular shapes and sail-like canvas formations.
Wood ceilings were also installed throughout the facility to mitigate and soften the sterile appearance of the metal framing used for the elevators and the glass present in the lobby areas. The main lobby features a prominent wooden "cloud" suspended from a twenty-foot ceiling, featuring large ceiling tiles.
Most of the drywall work involved ever-curving walls, requiring careful installation for a smooth finish. The bulkheads/soffits also followed the wall curves and needed precise attention to detail for proper finishing.
Result
The project earned the LEED® Gold certification. According to L3Harris, the building owner, the six-story, 450,000-square-foot facility has "become the centerpiece for some of the company’s most advanced engineering work." KENPAT’s framing, drywall, and ceiling work played a key role in elevating the high-tech aesthetic and ensuring the facility’s functional and acoustic performance. The company’s work earned it the 2015 ABC Central Florida Excellence in Construction Eagle Award.
Harris Unveils State-of-the-Art Facility In Palm Bay
February 23, 2015
