Address: 500 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
Work: : Light-gauge framing, thermal insulation, acoustical ceilings, gypsum wallboard, aesthetic reveal trims, lath, and plaster.
GC: Skanska JCB
Architect: Baker Barrios
Dates: February 2008 – October 2008
Awards:
• 2009 ABC Central Florida Excellence in Construction Eagle Award
Orlando Utilities Commission
Situation
In 2008, the Orlando Utilities Commission planned a new downtown headquarters to bring together employees from multiple facilities under one roof. The building’s design featured sustainability measures aimed at lowering long-term operating costs and reducing the environmental impact of OUC’s operations. Additionally, the project’s compressed timeline required a reliable construction partner, capable of coordinating complex elements such as curved partitions, raised-access flooring, and intricate mechanical and electrical systems. Skanska JCB, leveraging both global and local expertise, sought a subcontractor that could meet these challenges while respecting budget and quality requirements—ultimately selecting KENPAT for the interior framing, drywall, and acoustical packages.
Task
Skanska JCB selected KENPAT to perform interior framing, thermal insulation, acoustical ceiling installation, gypsum wallboard placement, aesthetic reveal trim application, and lath and plaster work for the building. KENPAT’s scope also included careful coordination with the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades on raised-access floors.
Action
In February 2008, KENPAT began interior framing work on this 127,000-square-foot, 10-story building. Curved interior partitions and oblique-shaped soffits on the first and seventh floors posed significant challenges. KENPAT’s team also used laser leveling to ensure every hollow metal door frame aligned correctly with the raised-access flooring.
Next, KENPAT installed drywall partitions in coordination with mechanical and electrical duct raceway systems on the raised-access floors.
Finally, KENPAT installed more than 100,000 square feet of exposed-grid acoustical ceilings in a segmented pattern mirroring the design of the exterior of the building. The team created a continuous perimeter slot in the offices for return air at the exterior curtain wall system. Although challenging, the team successfully completed this integration.
Result
KENPAT successfully balanced labor requirements, tight budgeting, and detailed scheduling to deliver an outstanding final product. For this performance at the Orlando Utilities Commission Building, KENPAT earned the 2009 ABC Central Florida Excellence in Construction Eagle Award.