Consulting - Educational

University of North Carolina Rams Head Center

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

700 space 3-level cast-in-place parking structure

 

 

The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill campus, was in need of additional non-academic amenities to meet the needs of a growing university population. The solution manifested itself in the development of the Rams Head Center, a mixed-use facility incorporating a dining hall, grocery, recreation center and a 700 space parking structure to provide the majority of the campus’ visitor parking.

 

Due to considerable site grade differential, the parking structure was located in a natural bowl and beneath a landscaped pedestrian plaza. It is connected via pedestrian bridges and walkways to the adjacent Hill Alumni Center and Kenan Stadium.

 

Designed along LEED guidelines, the plaza level uses a rooftop rainwater cistern system to collect and store runoff that is used to irrigate the plaza plantings. Architecturally, the facility draws upon the surrounding campus buildings and utilizes brick and masonry units to reflect a traditional campus architectural theme. The parking structure is designed utilizing a cast-in-place post-tensioned concrete structural system and also features energy efficient high output lighting.

 

Awarded the 2007 Award of Excellence in Parking Facilities from the International Parking Institute and the 2006 AON Build America Award from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)