Medical school graduates of the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB) now have a signature facility to mark one of the most important moments in their lifetimes—and they have a strong construction team to thank for it.
In May 2008, commencement ceremonies for KCUMB’s College of Osteopathic Medicine took place in the state-of-the-art Weaver Auditorium, which features 1,500 seats, an impressive stage, and modern audio, visual and lighting systems.
It was the first time in 92 years that the university’s formal White Coating Ceremony could take place on campus. Before the auditorium was built, the largest facility at KCUMB only accommodated about 150 people.
“The ceremony is the finish line for the students after years of hard work, and a first-class facility is necessary to mark that accomplishment,” says Michael Knight, senior project manager for
Straub Construction, Shawnee, Kan., the general contractor for the project. “We’re glad to have been able to provide it for them.”
The exterior of the 31,000-square-foot structure features large glass windows, dramatic lighting and attractive landscaping, while the interior shows off curvilinear walls, cherry paneling and granite flooring. The auditorium ceiling is comprised of 12 separate “cloud” structures constructed onsite with plywood ribs, steel channel, Styrofoam and drywall.
Straub Construction and its subcontracting team accessed the unique ceiling structure with a “dance floor” scaffolding platform system that spanned the length and width of the entire auditorium—a solution that ensured the work was completed safely. In addition, pre-construction meetings were held with each subcontractor to reinforce quality control standards, and weekly onsite meetings were held with the owner and architect to address all scheduling and cost concerns.
“Our primary construction challenge was the soil,” Knight says. “This was an area of the city with a lot of unknowns in terms of the foundation, and we had to handle the pricing and scheduling upfront with the owner.”
Due to the poor soil conditions, Straub extended the auditorium’s 80 concrete support columns down to the bedrock, almost 60 feet below grade. In addition, a limited staging area required a strict critical-path construction schedule, with trades moving in their required materials and equipment, completing their work as efficiently as possible, and then removing all equipment and excess materials before the next scheduled contractor got to work.
The construction team also worked closely with the owner to integrate the new facility’s high-end finishes with the style of the older campus buildings, as well as to provide value engineering to keep the project within budget.
Located just east of downtown Kansas City, Mo., the Weaver Auditorium is a valuable addition to the community, offering lectures and hosting alumni events. It is the centerpiece of an evolving complex that will include a new student activities center and a new campus library.