Rome wasn’t built in a day, so it shouldn’t be a big surprise that a massive undertaking like LeMay – America’s Car Museum (ACM), has taken nearly a decade to complete. “That’s not unusual for a museum project,” says Alan Grant, the chief architect of the 165,000-sq.-ft.  museum complex in Tacoma, Wash. Grant, co-owner of the architectural firm GrantPrice in Los Angeles, has designed structures around the globe, but ACM presented a variety of new challenges for him and his company. With ACM construction now more than halfway complete, Grant reflected on the “deceptively difficult” process of designing and creating a museum built principally through philanthropy that will serve “as the heart of world’s automotive culture.”  

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With Winter officially ending in about a week, so too comes the completion of the concrete structure of the LeMay Museum.  Little did we know that this Winter would bring with it bouts of snow accompanied by atypical high winds and heavy rains which our project team has managed to stay safely on schedule while building a truly impressive structure.  With Spring around the corner, we welcome the Heavy Timber Structure crew that will create the arched curve profile of the roof.  In addition to the construction of the building’s shell, excellent progress continues within the building’s interior.  Wall and soffit framing is underway and the mechanical and electrical crews are busy installing the building’s infrastructure.  Stay tuned for more updates and keep your eyes peeled for the assembly of the magnificent arched roof.

Here's an interview from March 3rd, with our President & CEO, David Madeira talking about the progress of the Museum, how it started and why it's being built in Tacoma. Don't miss it!

http://missmotormouth.com/2011/03/david-madeira-of-the-lemay-auto-museum-joins-autoline-after-hours-tonight/ 

With forecasts pointing towards consistent cold temperatures and rain for the next few weeks, the LeMay construction team is focused on maintaining a safe and productive jobsite.  Over the last few weeks the first level of cast in place concrete decks and ramps have been placed allowing for the structural crews to continue going vertically inside of the building.  The arrival of approved utility permits will kick off underground piping activities across the site and the massive stockpile of earth will begin to slowly shrink throughout the winter as it is placed across the site.  

By Ian Klein:
 
The first week of November started by delivering a relative monsoon followed by a  few days of record warm temperatures.  Last week also brought new crewmembers to the site with the concrete deck subcontractor mobilizing and installing ramps and horizontal deck formwork.  The dry weather towards the end of the  week allowed for the waterproofers to make substantial progress on the west below grade walls while the concrete crews continued to install shear walls, columns and pilasters.  This week will focus on more of the same as the standing shell of the structure is tied into its growing core.
 

By Ian Klein:

Two weeks following the erection of the concrete tilt up panels, building construction activities are focused upon placing concrete columns, pilasters, ramps and decks.  In addition to the concrete structure and on the seldom dry autumn day, the perimeter below grade walls are waterproofed with a 2 part, mesh reinforced, fluid applied synthetic rubber membrane that is covered by a drain board.  The electricians and mechanical crews continue to work in concert with the concrete subcontractors in order to rough in power, lighting, fire sprinkler, plumbing and other MEP systems.