Commercial Architecture June 2019 - 17

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FEATURE

| building technology

Left. The Wrigley Field project was not limited to renovating the ballpark. It also involved a complete change of the surrounding area, including adding
a plaza and office building in the space previously occupied by a parking lot.
Above. The ballpark was completely renovated, including mechanical and electrical infrastructure, deep foundations, structural elements, and two
large video boards.

The original stadium was built in 1914 when build-

taken to accommodate the upper-deck patios and suite

information was used to create an as-built 3D model,

expansions that were constructed in later phases. Near-

which was then updated continuously throughout the

ly every piece of existing steel in the ballpark was

years of construction. The team also used laser scan-

retained and reinforced in some manner.

ning to track productivity, completion, and quality in

ing codes were not as stringent as today. This, coupled

A new basement structure under the seating bowl

with the additional significant new structure changes,

behind home plate was also constructed during the

Traditionally, Pepper Construction, Chicago, per-

significantly altered the requirements of the structure.

2016-2017 off-season. This underground structure was

sonnel would create a 3D BIM (Building Information

To provide for new gravity and wind loads, the struc-

extended into left and right fields in 2017-2018 and

Model) for project coordination, but Wrigley's sched-

tural design required augmenting the grandstand's lat-

accommodates the 1914 American Airlines Club, Bun-

ule, and the massive scope of work happening within

eral system by strengthening columns and adding new

ker Suites, Maker's Mark Barrel Room, W Club,

that tight timeframe, made traditional methods

beams and bracing.

umpire locker room, and team-support spaces, includ-

impossible. Instead, the team used laser scanning to

the field, and plan for future work.

Repairs were made to correct concrete and steel

ing new dugouts and game-day facilities. On the field,

make the model, document progress, verify installa-

corrosion and deterioration, including addressing

the former bullpens were infilled with new seats and

tion, and ensure quality. Laser scanning produces a

spalling concrete on the underside of the stands. The

the bullpens relocated to spaces below the bleachers.

point cloud, which the team used to create the 3D

precast and cast-in-place treads and risers were replaced

Activities during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019

model. As work progressed, monthly (and often, daily)

by encasing the steel raker beams in cast-in-place con-

off-seasons included reconstructing the visitor locker

laser scans were then laid over the model. This helped

crete. This encapsulated the ends of the spalled precast

room; modifying and expanding the existing mezza-

the team visualize the progress and confirm that

sections, reinforced the rakers for the required live

nine suites; adding new upper-deck concessions, bath-

everything was installed correctly. For example, the

loads, and worked with the existing diaphragm by

rooms, and patios; renovating the upper-deck Catalina

team used it to verify concrete flatness, railing loca-

locking it together to provide the diaphragm reinforce-

Club; and structural additions in the left-field and

tions, and that stair heights were compliant with codes.

ment necessary for the augmented-steel frame. Retain-

right-field corners.

ing as much of the existing structure as possible also

3D laser scanning in the left and right fields
enabled the construction team to plan for steel while

allowed construction of a new mezzanine level in left

LASER SCANNING

prefabricating the concrete stadium floor in record

field.

Technology is the easiest way to increase transparency

time, making it possible to connect walkways that join

In 2016-2017, the team continued the strengthen-

and collaboration on any project. Implementing state-

the main stadium with the bleachers.

ing and repair work begun in prior phases, primarily in

of-the-art technology was essential to keep the 1060

Many projects use laser scanning to capture exist-

right field. This work included reconstruction of the

Project moving and on schedule. The team used laser

ing conditions pre-installation. However, the notion

mezzanine and ramps. Additionally, extensive rein-

scanning to document the exact geometry of exist-

of "pre-existing conditions" had to be rethought on

forcement of the main supporting trusses was under-

ing conditions in the pre-World War I ballpark. Scan

this project. Because Opening Day doesn't move,
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Commercial Architecture June 2019

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