High School Improvements
Location
Des Moines, IA
Structural Engineer
KJWW Engineering Consultants
Architect
RDG Planning & Design
Steel Joist Manufacturer
Nucor
Steel Fabricator
Central Western Fabricators, Inc.
This project was part of a three-phase renovation and expansion construction initiative, developed as a result of the West Des Moines (Iowa) Community School District to support quality educational programming. This phase included a new performing arts theater with 104’ joists for the existing Valley High School. The building consisted of load-bearing precast wall panels with steel joist and steel framing. There were also load-bearing masonry walls with concrete-on-steel deck for the interior floors.
The project has long steel joists that were designed for the typical roof loads and numerous special theater loads. The steel joists were designed to support the access catwalks, theater lighting, and the suspended acoustic clouds.