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The new Air Traffic Control Tower rising above Sky Harbor International Airport takes its cue from the surrounding desert landscape, using a mix of copper, steel, tinted concrete and glass.
The $54 million structure's colors reflect the landscapes that visitors to Phoenix and Arizona may encounter, such as the red rocks of Sedona or the fractured rock of the Grand Canyon. Staggered planking of cast-in-place concrete adds a layered effect around the semicircular exterior of the tower.
Sky Harbor has undergone almost constant expansion since its first passenger terminal opened in 1952. The expansion of Terminal 4 continues with a new $50 million concourse and a $27 million retail expansion. Nearing completion are the rental car center and the center runway reconstruction projects.
An automated people mover and new West Terminal are major projects still to come for the airport.
By far the most visible project is the striking control tower rising to a height of 320 ft. in the center of the airport. Designers hope the structure, evoking a giant lighthouse, will act as an iconic beacon for visitors to the state.
The tower will replace the 181-ft. tower west of Terminal 3, which was built in the 1970s. It will control local air traffic while housing the Terminal Radar Approach Control, which monitors traffic throughout the Southwest.
"This project will truly enhance the efficiency of the Federal Aviation Administration's operations at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport by placing the control tower and TRACON facility in one location," William C. Withycombe, FAA Western-Pacific regional administrator said in a press release. "We appreciate the support and cooperation we've gotten from the many parties involved here. They've helped to make this project a reality."
The construction site is extremely constricted and highly congested, wedged between two major terminals and two major airport roads on a 250-ft. by 500-ft. parcel of land. In addition to the tower and the four-story TRACON, contractors are also building a two-level environmental services building that will house utilities and mechanical systems.
Jacobs Engineering Group of Pasadena, Calif., is both the general contractor and designer of the project.
The tower's structure is cast-in-place concrete on a concrete mat foundation. The cab structure near the top of the tower, which is the portion of the tower that houses the traffic control computers and personnel, will be constructed of structural steel with metal decks topped with concrete. Once completed, the tower will provide airport staff with a 360 degree view from the 300-ft. high vantage point.
Composite metal panels and glazing will cover the exterior of the cab.
The TRACON building is housed within the tower base structure, which will also be built using cast-in-place concrete. Exterior walls feature colored and textured architectural concrete, which will later be sandblasted for added textural effect.
Azure-tinted glazing and pre-patina copper panels break up the massing of the concrete, forming horizontal lines echoing the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright during his tenure in the Sonoran Desert.
A tower being raised in the middle of one of the nation's busiest airports doesn't lend itself well to long crane arms swinging around. Contractors built a platform around the entire tower at about the 200-ft. elevation. The platform acts as the base for a scaffolding system and protects workers below from any falling debris. The central shaft was also used for worker and material access to the upper levels.
Jabobs will turn over the project to the FAA in early 2006, but construction will continue for an additional year as the federal agency installs the newest generation of radar technology, miles of fiber-optic cabling and other electronics equipment.
Fast Facts:
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Name: Sky Harbor Air Traffic Control Tower/ TRACON Facility
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Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Start Date: May, 2003
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Completion Date: Early 2007
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Construction Cost: $54 million
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Key Players
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Owner: City of Phoenix
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Architect: Jacobs Engineering Group
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General Contractor: Jacobs Engineering Group
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Electrical: Cannon & Wendt
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Mechanical: IMCOR
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Concrete: Kiewit Western
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Steel: Schuff Steel
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