Architect: Neumann/Smith & Associates Inc.

"Harry H. Edwards Industry Advancement Award" 1998 by Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute

4-story, 400,000 sq. ft. precast concrete parking structure with parking for 1,100 cars. Responding to the owner's desire for an open garage with level floors and minimal shear walls, this structure utilized a helix ramp constructed entirely of precast concrete elements, eliminating the need for interior load-bearing ramp walls. The garage structure also featured architecturally exposed structural steel braces for lateral load resistance, which substituted for precast concrete shear walls. Interior double tee's in the garage were warped in order to facilitate challenging floor elevation requirements in connections to the adjacent retail mall without accessibility ramps. Due to site constraints, one half of the garage was completely built and occupied before construction began on the second half. Jurors' comments: "The helix ramp design on this parking structure is a unique feture. The ability to create a warp in the double tees which has been used in other types of projects such as stadiums, is particularly innovative. This will save a lot of time in cold climates especially. It also helps open the interior of the structure and saves money."