Innovation in design, manufacture and construction continues to drive recognition for Pac-Van modular buildings.
March 21 2006, Indianapolis, IN - Pac-Van, Inc. has won taken First Place awards and an Honorable Mention at the Modular Building Institute's annual convention, adding to its long history of success in the modular building industry's most prestigious event.
The MBI Awards of Distinction are given annually to recognize the world's best modular building projects. The projects are scored in categories of: A - Architectural excellence; B - Technical innovation; C - Cost effectiveness/ energy efficiency; D - Calendar days to complete.
First Place: Renovation over 10,000 square feet
Initially designed as a sales pavilion for an upscale age-restricted community, the building was leased by the end user for three years through a third-party lender.
The lender subsequently purchased land, installed the building permanently and marketed it - an excellent demonstration of the versatility of modular buildings and the residual value one can expect from investment in modular products. Pac-Van Las Vegas Office
First Place: Temporary Retail under 2000 square feet
This modular information center is designed with a reception area reminiscent of an old fashioned ice cream parlor. Features include: stamped metal ceiling panels & matching crown moulding... granite reception counter with hand rubbed cherry casework & brass foot rail... custom tri-colored vinyl tile floor in a pattern, inlayed with the project logo. One private office, 2 restrooms, a topographic model area & storage area complete the interior space plan. Ceilings in the balance of the building are custom stamped 2'X2' suspended panels. Exterior is finished with clad board siding, with veranda porch on three sides. Structural parapets & trusses create a two-storey illusion. Custom scalloped asphalt shingles top off the gable roof, which sports a custom-made weather vane.
The technical innovation involved creating a two-storey building illusion within the constraints of shipping heights. Parapet walls topped with trusses create a hip roof, complete with faux windows and shutters. Jack Trusses create the porch and a trex decking material is used for the sweeping porch that surrounds three sides of the building. Pad-mount heat pumps with air handlers in the ceiling provide the climate control. While there is no access into the trusses, the building appears to have a useable second floor. A bay window was added on site to complete the look of site built construction. Custom exterior doors installed on site include transom stained glass. A sonotube foundation was used, allowing the units to be rolled onto the supports without use of a crane, saving thousands of dollars. A metered electrical panel and all mechanical ducting were factory installed, saving onsite costs. Air handlers installed in the dead space of the modular instead of in the trusses to save costs when the unit is relocated.
Honorable Mention: Temporary Health Care over 5000 square feet.
This 112x60 mixed-use building for counseling and rehabilitation of troubled youths housed at an adjacent secure dormitory. Designed with three 24x30 classrooms, with a 1-hour fire rated hallway separating classrooms from counseling center. The counseling center has 19 offices, a break room, and a large central work area. There are 4 restrooms in the building. Additionally, the site's slope was challenging, requiring 6' high piers on one end.
Security and safety can be an issue during tough counseling sessions. Each counseling office has an unbreakable Lexan window. Occupants can be viewed by a counselor supervisor, and violent behavior can be contained. One counseling room employs a two-way mirror for observation. All insulation was specified to code to meet the region's efficiency requirements. Wall hung HVAC units with plenum walls and fire dampers provide safe, efficient heating and cooling. Installation of concrete footers and CMU piers allows for future relocation, expansion and/or reconfiguration.
About Modular Buildings
Modular buildings are factory built structures that comply with the same building codes as traditional construction, suit a vast array of applications, and offer the advantages of early occupancy, portability, financial flexibility, and cost effectiveness. Modular buildings have established a growing niche in the construction marketplace for organizations that need temporary or permanent space.
About the Modular Building Institute (MBI)
The Modular Building Institute, (www.mbinet.org), is a non-profit trade association serving the commercial factory-built buildings industry on an international scale. Their regular members are manufacturers and dealers of commercial modular structures. It is the mission of MBI to grow the modular industry and its capabilities by encouraging innovation, quality, and professionalism through communication, education, and recognition.
About Pac-Van, Inc.
Pac-Van, Inc. (www.pacvan.com) is a nationwide provider of modular buildings, mobile offices, and portable storage equipment. The company serves a diverse array of customers, including those in the commercial, industrial, construction, medical, special event, government, and education markets. Pac-Van is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN and has offices in 20
cities in 13 states.