The Clearwater at Windsor project encompasses the new construction of residential buildings dedicated to independent senior living, assisted living, and memory care facilities. The development also includes utility and site preparation for future retail spaces, parking facilities, and amenities such as courtyards and a swimming pool. This multi-functional campus is designed to provide high-quality living spaces while catering to the specialized needs of its residents.
Project Background
The Clearwater at Windsor project, located in Windsor, CA, is currently being developed by Clearwater Living, designed in collaboration with HKIT Architects, and constructed by CSI Construction. This ambitious senior living development features independent senior living, assisted living, and memory care facilities, along with extensive site improvements for future retail spaces, parking, and amenities.
ISE Structural Engineers has been brought on to ensure the project’s success, providing structural engineering for the 2 and 4-story wood-framed buildings. The integration of these structures over a MAT slab foundation requires precise engineering to address soil challenges and maintain stability across the varied facility types. This project offers a unique opportunity to deliver exceptional value to the community while overcoming complex engineering challenges, particularly those associated with the diverse structural requirements of a senior living campus.
Unique Project Focus
The Clearwater at Windsor senior living project presents unique structural engineering challenges, particularly due to its open first-level floor plan designed to foster a welcoming and versatile space for residents and visitors. This layout necessitates innovative solutions to maintain structural integrity while ensuring the absence of intrusive support elements that could detract from functionality or aesthetics. Advanced techniques, such as the use of long-span beams, concealed structural supports, and strategic load distribution, are essential to achieve the desired openness without compromising safety. Balancing these engineering requirements with the architectural vision of creating an airy, light-filled environment is a key focus, ensuring the design aligns with the needs of residents and enhances the overall experience within the community.
Challenges
The complexities involved in designing the Clearwater at Windsor project were substantial, driven by the diverse functionalities of the senior living facilities and the need to meet stringent building codes and standards.
1. Framing Considerations
The project required a combination of 2 and 4-story light-framed wood structures to support independent senior living, assisted living, and memory care facilities. The open first-level floor plan posed a significant challenge, necessitating advanced framing techniques and strategically placed load-bearing elements to maintain structural integrity while adhering to the architectural design.
2. Load Distribution and Structural Capacity
The varied functions of the facilities demanded careful consideration of load distribution. Engineers meticulously designed the framing system to support both vertical and lateral loads while ensuring the safety and stability of the structure under daily use and environmental forces.
3. Lateral Force-Resisting System
Meeting the requirements for seismic and wind loads added further complexity to the project. A combination of conventional strap holdowns, eccentric holdowns, and the Simpson ATS holdown anchorage system was employed to manage vertical uplift forces and lateral movements effectively. This system also addressed the vertical shrinkage of wood members, providing enhanced durability and compliance with building codes.
4. Foundation and Settlement Issues
The expansive soil conditions and potential for differential settlement at the site posed challenges for the foundation design. A MAT slab foundation system was selected to evenly distribute loads across the building footprint, ensuring stability while accommodating the varied structural requirements of the senior living facilities.
5. Code Compliance and Architectural Integration
Balancing the structural design with the architectural requirements and value-engineering expectations of the ownership required precise planning. The team ensured that all systems conformed to modern codes while delivering a cost-effective, stable, and aesthetically pleasing solution for the project.
Solutions
The structural engineering team at ISE Structural Engineers employed several innovative solutions to address the challenges of the Clearwater at Windsor senior living project:
Framing and Load Distribution
The design required advanced framing techniques to support the combination of 2- and 4-story light-framed wood structures. Engineers strategically placed load-bearing elements to maintain structural integrity while accommodating the open first-level floor plan. This ensured a balance between architectural aesthetics and functional stability.
Lateral Force-Resisting System
To address seismic and wind loads, the team integrated conventional strap and eccentric holdowns with the Simpson ATS holdown anchorage system. This robust combination effectively managed vertical uplift forces and lateral movements while mitigating the effects of vertical wood shrinkage, ensuring the structure’s safety and compliance with building codes.
Foundation Design and Soil Conditions
A MAT slab foundation was selected to counteract the expansive soil conditions and prevent differential settlement. This foundation system evenly distributed loads across the building footprint, providing a stable base for the independent senior living, assisted living, and memory care facilities.
Conflict and Clash Detection
Engineers utilized 3D Revit modeling to visualize the structure and detect potential conflicts between construction elements. This advanced modeling technique allowed for proactive issue resolution, ensuring a smoother construction process and reducing on-site errors.
Code Compliance and Value Engineering
Throughout the project, the team ensured full compliance with modern building codes while meeting the ownership’s value-engineering expectations. This balance delivered a structurally sound, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing facility tailored to the needs of its future residents.
Results and Impact
The Clearwater at Windsor project has successfully addressed complex engineering challenges, resulting in a highly functional and resilient senior living campus. ISE Structural Engineers provided expert solutions for the diverse needs of independent senior living, assisted living, and memory care facilities, ensuring both structural integrity and aesthetic harmony. By implementing advanced framing techniques and a robust lateral force-resisting system, the project not only meets stringent seismic and wind load requirements but also accommodates the vertical shrinkage of wood members, enhancing safety and long-term stability. The MAT slab foundation effectively mitigates potential soil settlement issues, ensuring a stable base for the structures. Furthermore, the integration of 3D Revit modeling enabled proactive conflict detection, improving coordination and reducing construction delays. The project is a testament to the team’s ability to balance engineering excellence with value engineering, providing a high-quality living environment for its future residents while adhering to modern building codes and ensuring cost-efficiency.
Conclusion
The Clearwater at Windsor project stands as a prime example of how innovative structural engineering can meet the unique demands of senior living facilities. ISE Structural Engineers’ commitment to delivering a safe, stable, and aesthetically pleasing environment is reflected in the successful integration of complex design elements, from advanced framing systems to the resilient MAT slab foundation. By addressing challenges such as expansive soil conditions, load distribution, and code compliance, the project not only meets the specific needs of its residents but also sets a new standard for multi-functional senior living developments. This project highlights the essential role of structural engineering in creating spaces that enhance quality of life while ensuring long-term durability and stability.
