Bachelor Enlisted Quarters Naval Station San Diego

This project involves the design and construction of a new 209,747-gsf, 12-story military housing facility for 1032 bachelor enlisted personnel. The structure is a high-rise residential "L" shaped tower on a 4.5-acre site. In appearance, the structure resembles the existing nearby BEQs built in 1989 but improvements were made through "Quality of Life" enhancements, seismic upgrades, and Anti-Terrorist/Force Protection design.

The facility contains 258 rooms that are 4-person, two-bedroom, 1-bathroom living modules, each including a washer/dryer and kitchenette with provisions for refrigerator and microwave. The project includes common areas, sidewalks, entry trellis, ornamental iron fence, golf course tee box, architectural concrete fire lane, basketball and volleyball courts, and a parking lot. The 1200-cubic-yard foundation concrete system consists of 409 each, 120-ton, driven pre-cast, pre-stressed concrete piles and grade beams supported on piles. Slab-on-grade is mild steel reinforced concrete slabs spanning between grade beams.

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The project will ultimately have 10,500 cubic yards of formed walls and suspended slabs. Total concrete on the project will be 12,200 cubic yards. The structural system is cast-in-place concrete frame with interior concrete columns and shear walls, two-way slabs, and metal stud partitions with gypsum board. To meet Anti-Terrorist/Force Protection requirements regarding progressive collapse, the structural system is designed with redundancy and load reversal capabilities. The aluminum window system includes laminated glazing to enhance blast resistance and sound control. The pumping package uses variable frequency drives to control pump operation for energy efficiency and two multi-staged chiller units provide chilled water at the lowest total operating cost. Additionally, the chillers and pumping package work together and are controlled for energy-efficient operation. In addition, the piping system was designed for reverse return to ensure the conditioned water is at the unit when needed for heating or cooling. The electrical system includes a complete new service with transformers and distribution gear. Primary electrical distribution is centralized at the combined mechanical and electrical plant to minimize length of distribution runs for large loads. Electrical rooms with sub-panels are distributed on each floor of the facility to allow ease of maintenance. Low voltage systems include fire alarm, intrusion detection, closed circuit TV, and intercom/public address. As part of the fire protection system, double wall drywall surrounds each living module to keep fire drafts from progressing to the next module, thus encasing each in a type of fire-protective "envelop." Windows are provided with hardware that allows them to be cleaned from the interior. The exterior finish is an elastomeric paint system that minimizes maintenance costs. The facility includes four traction elevators in the core area. The top of the elevator penthouse is 146 feet above ground. The structure has a built-up bituminous roofing over tapered insulation.

Architects: RJC Architects and Joseph Wong Design Associates