Address: 7487 Lake Nona Blvd., Orlando, FL 32832
Work: KENPAT completed 275,000 square feet of drywall, 200,000 linear feet of light gauge metal framing, and 90,000 square feet of acoustical ceiling systems.
GC: Balfour Beatty
Architect: CTSM Architects, Inc.
Dates: December 2008 – June 2010
Awards:
• 2010 ABC Central Florida Chapter Excellence in Construction Eagle Award
University of Central Florida (UCF) Medical School
Situation
Balfour-Beatty contracted KENPAT for interior framing, drywall, and acoustical ceiling work on the new academic facility.
Action
KENPAT’s scope of work included 275,000 square feet of drywall, 200,000 linear feet of light gauge metal framing, and 90,000 square feet of acoustical ceiling systems—accomplished despite the unique challenges posed by the radius-shaped structure.
The two-story atrium featured two round Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG) domes with thousands of fiber optic lights. KENPAT built a circular soffit to anchor the GFRG dome pieces. These pie-shaped pieces were shipped and suspended from the structure above, requiring precise coordination for assembly.
Three of the four teaching auditoriums featured ten radius soffits with integrated light coves and pie-shaped acoustical panel ceilings. Before constructing the soffit metal framing, KENPAT created plywood templates for the different arch dimensions. To achieve a monolithic look, KENPAT suggested and installed oversized fiberglass ceiling panels with a 9/16-inch grid system, demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Two additional features required specific attention, including 10,000 linear feet of reveals. Due to the radius design, there were several angled corners requiring the drywall and reveals to be custom-cut and finished with Level 5 finishing.
The design also featured 18,000 square feet of floating acoustical ceilings, segmented by multi-level drywall soffits with coves, demanding top-notch craftsmanship.
Result
KENPAT's team significantly contributed to building a university for future medical professionals in Central Florida and beyond, and the project earned the ABC Central Florida Chapter's 2010 Excellence in Construction Eagle Award.
