Westgate Community Center

Title: Westgate Community Center

Award Category: Commissioning

Project Address/Location

10001 De Vargas Rd SW

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121
United States

Submitted By: Gram Hopwood

Company Info

New Mexico Building Enclosure Architecture

105 Madeline Ct

Corrales, New Mexico 87048
United States

5058972121

[email protected]

Project Description and Background: New Mexico Building Enclosure Architecture (NMBEA) has provided consultation and commissioning on many City of Albuquerque projects and gained a good reputation locally. The Westgate Community Center is a highlighted project by city officials and the mayor's office. The scope was broken up into 3 construction phases. After phase one, some construction quality issues were discovered in the roofing. For phase 2 NMBEA was contacted to take the lead in enclosure consulting and full commissioning of the building envelope.

Scope: After the difficulties in phase 1 work, the architect brought NMBEA in to review and consult all phase 2 design documents. NMBEA also provided full scale commissioning of the enclosure including TPO roofing with the Detec Conductive Primer, High Voltage EFMI testing, AAMA spray testing of the storefront assemblies, installation verification for Green Girt insulation panels, Vaproshield WRB membrane, PAC-Clad metal panels, Senergy EIFS, foundation damp proofing, adhesion pull testing, and infrared thermography.

Solution: Detec Conductive Primer in a relatively new addition to commercial roofing in New Mexico, and its use on the project caused some difficulties with staining of the membrane. NMBEA was able to coordinate with the manufacturer, contractor and owner to find approved solutions to membrane staining issues. Spray testing of the storefront installation also uncovered improper sealant application and uncovered future issue before damage could occur.

Value: Commission of the roof installation revealed installation errors in weather seals over a holiday weekend and saved ownership from future damage to the roofing in correcting water infiltration into the unfinished roofing system. Conductive primer application issues were resolved in a manufacturer approved cleaning method which gave peace of mind to ownership. Consulting of envelope details resulted in changes to plans to seal the transitions air tight and commission ensured the application of the changes. EFMI testing uncovered holes and mechanical damage in the membrane which were promptly repaired. Spray testing of the storefront assemblies revealed improper sealant application which would have immediately caused leaks.

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Additional Info: The solutions to issues during design and construction stemming from this project have warmed both local architects and city officials to the benefits of BECx. New Mexico only has 5 total IIBEC certification holders: 4 RROs and 1 REWO. NMBEA represents 1 of the RROs and the only REWO statewide. By uncovering defects before the project close out ownership and the design team have had confidence to continue and expand the working relationship in a state where IIBEC has much room for growth.

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