Workers top out CCLD skylight tower

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Schneider
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  Construction on the Air Force Academy's Center for Character and Leadership Development reached a significant milestone this week, as workers put into place the last of 72 steel trusses that make up the symbolic skylight tower's frame.

More than 350 tons of steel were used to construct the tower, which will stand as the Academy's second tallest structure, center officials said. Only the Cadet Chapel exceeds its height.

"The new building is a visible symbol of the Air Force's and the Academy's commitment to character and leadership for our cadets, our staff and our faculty," said Thomas Berry Jr., deputy director of the center. "We believe this location will be a touchstone for the Air Force, and a recognizable national resource for character and leadership discussion."

Architects designed the tower to point directly to Polaris, the North Star, as a symbolic reminder of the importance of following one's 'moral compass' and the CCLD's commitment to developing leaders of character.

"The skylight tower is one of the most striking features of the CCLD facility," said Bob Barrish, the Air Force Civil Engineer Center project manager." None of the 72 trusses that make up the tower are the same - they're all different lengths and angles. The fit of these trusses had to be extremely precise so the oculus would point directly to the North Star."

Funding for the facility was arranged through a unique partnership between the federal government and the U.S. Air Force Academy Endowment. The basic facility was constructed with $27.5 million in military construction funds, while more than $17.75 million was financed by the endowment to pay for the facility's skylight tower, as well as interior enhancements and furnishings.

"The taxpayer was not asked to pay for anything beyond the basic building," said retired Gen. Stephen Lorenz, the endowment's president and CEO. "More than 1,200 donors contributed -- it was not difficult to raise funds, as the CCLD embodies the core values that the Academy stands for."

The 46,500-square-foot facility brings all of the CCLD's divisions under one roof for the first time, and includes offices, conference and seminar rooms, a library, and gathering spaces. The building also houses the Cadet Wing Honor Board Room, where cadets gather to uphold the Academy's core values and honor code.

While symbolism and functionality were key factors in the design, sustainability was also important. The facility is projected to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, silver rating, and includes extensive use of radiant heating and cooling, and occupancy sensors. The tower will be used to transfer heat out of the building through vents at the top, as well as provide natural lighting.

"Through the use of several innovative 'green' features, annual energy consumption for the building is expected to be reduced by nearly 30 percent," Barrish said.

Constructing a facility as complex as this one doesn't come without some challenges.

"Besides the unique design and complexity of the tower, the project is in the heart of a historic district and is surrounded on all four sides by existing structures that have a current mission taking place, so we had to work logistically around that," Barrish said. "A tower crane was used to bring in every piece of material and equipment for construction."

As the facility moves closer to completion, there is a growing sense of excitement at the Academy - not only from those involved with the project, but from the cadets themselves.

"The CCLD is all about developing leaders of character and setting us on the right track," said Erin Crow, cadet vice wing commander and civil engineering major at the Academy. "I think the symbolism of this building is a reflection of that. It sets a direction, it sets a tone for what we want here at the Air Force Academy. I'm really excited about its symbolism and how it's going to show the outside world what's important to us too."

With the tower's steel frame now in place, workers will begin the process of securing more than 110 tons of glass to the structure.

The facility is slated for completion by late summer 2015.