The new VA Mental Health and Research (MH&R) building currently under construction in Seattle, WA is a prime example of the benefits The Conco Companies bring to a project with our ability to provide a full range of quality concrete solutions. Breaking ground in April, 2015, the 6-story project is being developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and is designed by Stantec Architecture, Inc. and The Design Partnership, LLP. The Clark Construction Group is serving as General Contractor. Highlights of the project include energy-efficient systems, two landscaped indoor courtyards, a grass-covered rooftop and a rainwater-harvesting system for irrigation. The building expects to achieve LEED Silver certification to meet federal mandates.

Conco is providing all of the concrete pumping, formwork and place and finish services for the project as well as supplying the reinforcement. As the project is on an extremely tight timeline, our unique ability to supply both the rebar and formwork eliminates the need for coordination between several different suppliers and enables the work to move forward in an organized manner. Conco’s shotcrete services will be used for nonstructural site walls.

The MH&R building will be comprised of a steel frame with concrete fill on metal decks at all elevated levels, buckling restrained braced frames grounded on shallow spread footings, concrete cast-in-place walls, and green roofs.   Since the entire façade is made up of a customized wall system, the project presents a distinct challenge with its need for high cast in place and architectural walls. To facilitate this, extensive off-site performance mock-up testing and on-site visual mock-up testing was performed.

Scheduled for completion in late 2017, the 203,000 square foot building will house more than 250 mental-health staff members and 60 researchers. Officials at the VA state that the new facility will provide the latest treatment services for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental-health problems. Furthermore, the campus’ outpatient therapy, clinical research and educational programs will all find a new home at the facility. Designed to create a calm and supportive environment for veterans, the MH&R building will also foster a collaborative, team building approach between the clinical and research staff.

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States. We have built a reputation on superior concrete formwork, reinforcing, place and finish, shotcrete and other ancillary services that benefit from our vast experience. We have four regional offices to serve Southern and Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Colorado.