The Baltimore City Courthouse, a five-story, 150,000-square-foot building, stands at the corner of Calvert and Centre Streets in downtown Baltimore. This unique renovation project involved the existing building, which houses various state agencies and departments, and a lower-level garage.
Initially, the project was scheduled for 30 months, encompassing full demolition, installation of new work, startup, and commissioning. The main building was stripped down to concrete floors and steel beams, and the entire HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems were demoed, along with all walls, ceilings, lights, and doors. Given the project’s scope and location, logistics and preparation were crucial for success.
BIM modeling played a vital role in this project. While most aspects went smoothly, the 4th and 5th-floor courtrooms presented challenges. The design called for 10-foot ceilings, but space was limited due to structural steel beams. A complete BIM re-design was conducted to accommodate ductwork and other systems within the confined space, ensuring the desired ceiling height was achieved.
Renovating the building required a substantial HVAC system and various plumbing materials and equipment. The main logistical hurdle was hoisting all heavy mechanical equipment onto the roof in a single day, despite a street closure on Calvert Street. Over 65 individual lifts were employed to transport the 75 pieces of equipment to the roof. On a Saturday, we successfully hoisted and set the five DOAS units and curbs, taking 18 hours and requiring 25 Ariosa personnel to assist. Ariosa had 11 people on-site with the crane company to direct and assist with the lift.
Staying on schedule was crucial for this project. To achieve this, we worked 10-12 hour days, including Saturdays. Scheduling delivery of materials and equipment to the jobsite required a high level of coordination. Our Field Superintendent ensured ample manpower was available to complete the job on time. Throughout the project, we maintained a safe work environment, free from accidents. We successfully completed and delivered the project on time, allowing for the scheduled trials at the new courthouse.
