Sustainability and high-tech design merge seamlessly at the new BCAD Maintenance Facility at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. In a region that experiences extremes from gale force winds and drenching rainstorms to blistering heat and sun, this LEED Silver certified facility provides a healthy and energy efficient environment to support the round-the-clock operational demands of a bustling, growing airport.
The facility lives in harmony with the natural environment as it sits nestled amidst large trees and native landscaping at the site of an old Marriott catering building. The modern façade exudes permanence with durable and dignified polished, precast panels and hardened concrete tilt-up walls with varied reveal patterns. Large expansive windows with deep sunshades enhance natural daylighting and frame views to the surrounding site without sacrificing hurricane resistance and energy efficiency. Splashes of colored glass in a Mondrian-like gridwork add a whimsical touch to the otherwise cool façade.
Visitors and personnel feel welcome and comfortable in the sleek spaces softened by natural materials, including reclaimed wood. A multitude of support functions including break rooms, conference and training rooms, and a large covered terrace promote productivity and employee wellness by encouraging collaboration and positive interactions.
Since being built, the new facility boasts 25 percent less energy consumption than similar buildings, deriving much of its power from renewable sources.
In short, the BCAD project represents the fluid interweaving of natural and high-tech elements and functions for a sustainable, yet ever-evolving facility.