Bennett and Brosseau Roofing

2010 Design Award Honorable Mention

Project Team

Structural Engineer: Structures Unlimited
Owner: Bennett & Brosseau Roofing
Architect: Cashman Stahler Group
General Contractor: Northern Builders
Steel Joist Manufacturer: Nucor Vulcraft Group
Steel Detailer: Howard Wolch
Steel Fabricator: Arlington Structural Steel Company
Steel Erector: Imperial Construction Assoc.

Project Type: Unique Application

Project Description

The project is a new corporate headquarters, shop and gymnasium in Romeoville, Illinois, for an industry-leading roofing contractor, Bennett & Brosseau Roofing, in the Chicago area. The building consists of three parts - an office area, a warehouse/shop and a gymnasium. Bennett & Brosseau wanted to showcase several different types of roof systems on the building, including green roofs. The design was the result of the architect's desire to create a roof form and massing for the office area that would allow two of the green roofs to be visible from the street and building visitors. In addition to the office and shop area, the owner planned to create a gymnasium space for use by baseball and soccer teams. The use of long span steel roof joists allowed for the creation of large open athletic spaces with few interior columns and high clear heights.

What Makes This Project Interesting

The curved roof forms allow the green roofs and the dark green standing seam color thermal plastic roofs to be visible from the street and to all building visitors - showing off two of the many roof systems in which Bennett & Brosseau specializes. In addition, the dynamic curved form of the roof and curved roof joists are exposed and visible on the inside of the building using the structural system as an expressed design element.

Advantages Of The Chosen Structural System

When first shown 3D models of the conceptual design, the owner was intrigued, but worried that the curved roof forms would prove too expensive. Working with our structural engineer and a joist fabricator, it was determined that the cost of the curved trusses were only about 10-20% more than flat trusses. When our design team and owner considered the aesthetic value and functional nature of the curved trusses and roof, the owner decided it was prudent investment. The result is a unique curving roof form, curved roof trusses exposed in the office area and green vegetated roofs that are visible to all visitors. The long span roof trusses in the gymnasium area also allowed for large column-free athletic areas. The resulting building design stands out from the traditional boxy collection of office/warehouse designs in the area and is showcase home for Bennett & Brosseau Roofing.

Project Scope

The project was a one-story, 64,225 square foot new building consisting of a 10,599sf office area with curved steel roof trusses, a 24,042sf warehouse/shop area with standard steel roof joists and a 29,584sf gymnasium with a long-span steel roof joists. The overall building structure is load-bearing precast concrete exterior walls with steel columns, steel beams and steel roof joists and trusses.

Project Details

Project Construction Cost: $3,483,927
Joist cost, including fabrication and erection: $$167,530
Size (square ft.): 64,225
Roof area using joists (square ft.): 64,225
Joist area (square ft.): 64,225
Joist engineering to delivery (# days): 56
Joist erection (# days): 10

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