Solis Constructors, Inc. was selected to receive the 2010 Outstanding Construction Award in Category Design-Build 2 ($10M – $30M) by the Austin Chapter AGC for the design and construction of the CH-47 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar project at Ft. Hood, Texas. The design of the project presented many challenges in that the facility is designed for the maintenance of highly specialized military aircraft as well as specific requirements of the end user for the facility. The design includes a clear span that maximized the structural constraints of the largest steel members that could be produced by the metal building manufacturer and stretched the engineering to the limits. The very specific military design standards for rotary wing aircraft hangars with regard to highly specialized military-only fire suppression systems and equipment presented a challenge in design. Finally, the project included nearly 580,000 sq. ft. of specialized airfield parking apron in compliance with highly demanding military and US Army Corps of Engineers design standards.

This aircraft hangar was designed to accommodate four CH-47 Chinook helicopters side by side in the maintenance bay, and the design and installation criteria as well as quality control tolerances far exceed industry standard due to the nature, weight, and cost of the aircraft. The hangar area is over 40,000 sq. ft. with associated office, shop and maintenance areas in the adjacent core area. The telescoping hangar door is 280’ x 28’ which allows four aircraft to be moved into and out of the hangar simultaneously. In front of the hangar a 580,000 sq. ft. concrete hardstand allows movement of the aircraft between the runway and the hangar. This project has achieved LEED Silver Certification.

Baker-Aicklen and Associates performed critical design team functions from the outset, beginning with participation in the initial LEED charettes to determine credits to be pursued by the project to successfully achieve the government-mandated Silver certification. Throughout the fast-track design phase of the project, Baker-Aicklen performed admirably to deliver compliant, well-conceived civil designs including site work, wet utilities, extensive storm drainage facilities, and the massive concrete hardstand which plays such a critical role in allowing the Chinook aircraft to move safely and efficiently between the hangar and taxiway areas. The design team set new precedents for submission of the various design packages, a very high standard set by Baker-Aicklen with the initial designs and maintained by the entire design team throughout the design phase.

Throughout the CH-47 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar project, into the following Chapel and Religious Education Facility project currently under construction, and into upcoming teaming opportunities Baker-Aicklen has been a key team player and has provided a dependable foundation upon which Solis Constructors and the other design team members can build.