The Icon Apartments

buildings

Commercial

USA

Virginia Division, South Carolina Division

In 2021, SWA set out on a mission to construct a 12-story multifamily apartment tower with 189 units in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. With budget, timeline, and aesthetics all top of mind, our team knew this project would serve as the perfect opportunity to leverage Tindall Superior Lightweight All-Purpose Beam (T-SLAB®) floor system. By leveraging T-SLAB for all 12 stories, this tower became the first total precast project of its kind in the U.S., marking a new milestone in what’s possible with total precast construction.

Owner

SWA

Architect

SWA Architects + Speight, Marshall & Francis, P.C.

Contractor

SWA Construction

Location

Richmond, VA

12 Levels. One Iconic Story.

To bring this 163,000-square-foot total precast tower to life on a constricted, metropolitan job site, Tindall developed nearly 700 precast elements that could be quickly erected with just a single crane and a small on-site crew. These elements included load-bearing architectural wall panels, stair and elevator towers, and the T-SLAB floor system.

Unlike most precast structures, which are fully constructed in sections, The Icon was erected sequentially by level. The precast elements for each floor were installed in a “back-to-front” construction method, beginning with the insulated wall panels and ending with the installation of the T-SLABs. This process provided early access to each floor for other trades, dramatically accelerating the construction schedule.

In addition to providing long, clear spans for each floor, the T-SLABs also concealed MEP throughout the structure. This was possible thanks to T-SLABs unique design, which allows the internal lightweight concrete blocks to be omitted to accommodate bathroom installations, additional reinforcement, or mechanical, electrical, and plumbing items, further accelerating the construction schedule. In the end, The Icon was fully erected in just under 16 weeks.

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