Under One Roof
Prior to the new building, the airport’s snow removal equipment was stored outside and in multiple locations. This not only exposed the vehicles to the harsh winter elements, but also made it difficult for staff to carry out maintenance and repairs during snow events. Additionally, the existing dormitory area for operations staff was inadequate, while the sand and salt storage areas were inconveniently located. Our design solution brings all of these functions together under one roof to improve snow removal operations at RIC.
Enhancing Safety for Employees
Constructed on the southeast end of the airport, the 33,000-square-foot facility comprises 17 vehicle bays along with a men’s and a women’s dormitory, locker room and shower facilities. The building allows operations staff to work on broken equipment indoors, away from the ice and snow, while the sleeping accommodations allow employees to remain on-site during winter-weather events.
So Fresh and So Clean
To assist with the proper vehicle cleaning, the facility features an undercarriage chassis washer system that helps reduce corrosion caused by salt and deicing chemicals, increasing vehicle lifespan. Radiant-heated flooring also melts snow off the heavy-duty equipment, resulting in faster run times, and provides a comfortable environment for operations staff.
A Sustainable Design
To reduce energy consumption and operation costs, we incorporated a number of sustainable features into the facility, including high clerestory windows to maximize daylighting in the building, interior/exterior LED fixtures with daylight and occupancy sensors, a high-efficiency ventilation system for the vehicles bays, high SRI-value insulated metal roof panels, and low-flow water fixtures.