Calais Land Port of Entry

Infobox Skyscraper
building_name= U.S. Land Port of Entry in Calais, Maine


caption=Future Land Port of Entry between Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick
location= flagicon|USA Calais, Maine, USA
coordinates = coord|45|9|58|N|67|14|33|W|region:US-NY_type:landmark
status = Under construction
groundbreaking = April 2008 [ [http://gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?pageTypeId=8199&channelId=-18821&P=&contentId=24403&contentType=GSA_BASIC] . Speech by Lurita Doan, Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration, the 19th of April during the groundbreaking ceremony in Calais, Maine.]
completion = 2009(est.)
opening = November 2009
use = Homeland security
antenna_spire =
roof =
top_floor =
floor_count =
elevator_count =
cost = $48,327,000 [ [https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=955d324fca589a524e9a0d96bb0cdcbb&tab=core&_cview=1&cck=1&au=&ck=] ]
floor_area = 100,000 sf
architect = Robert Siegel Architects
contractor = J & J Contractors, Inc. [ [https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=955d324fca589a524e9a0d96bb0cdcbb&tab=core&_cview=1&cck=1&au=&ck=] ]

owner = U.S. General Services Administration

The building

The building, located on a fifty acre site, is approximately one hundred thousand square feet. When completed this will be the eighth busiest international crossing on the border with Canada. The facility is part of a larger infrastructure project which includes the first new international bridge built between the United States and Canada in decades.

The project enables the free flow of goods and people into the United States while improved security for customs and border protection. The project complies with requirements established by the following:
* Design Criteria for Federal Buildings
* U.S. Land Port of Entry Design Guide
Inspired by the rugged Maine landscape formed by glaciers, Robert Siegel Architects has designed an integrated site and building that resonate with the surrounding geographical area. The facility will be wrapped with a screen of expanded aluminum mesh that acts as a protective barrier for surveillance and reflects the shades and shadows of the changing seasons and weather. A concealed courtyard provides a quiet respite from continuous vehicle traffic and allows an uninterrupted vista to the gently rolling hills beyond the site.

Materials & Structure

The exterior screen wall is expanded aluminum mesh that has been stamped, folded and anodized. This provides visual security for the officers within the building and improves their surveillance capabilities. The exterior enclosure wall is stucco on metal studs. Windows are aluminum with high performance glazing. Interior finishes vary widely depending upon use. These include stone, cork and carpet in the public areas and offices, tile in the bathrooms, epoxy flooring in laboratory and secure areas, and exposed concrete in the warehouses and garages.

The structural system is a steel brace frame with precast concrete plank floor and roof system. These are manufactured in the region and allow fabrication and erection to occur simultaneously to take advantage of the extremely short building season. The foundation system is built with reinforced concrete footings and piers. Colored, architectural concrete is used for site walls and exposed structural elements. The primary inspection canopies are constructed with steel box beams and columns.

Environmental features

The design of the building will make it environmentally friendly, using technologies such as

Art in Architecture

Robert Siegel collaborated with Spencer Finch to identify potential locations for site specific art installation.

Design Excellence

The U.S. General Services Administration chose Robert Siegel Architects to design the facility as part of their Design Excellence Program. This program “selects America’s best designers and artists to create facilities that ultimately become respected landmarks.” These buildings are intended to express the vision, leadership and commitment of the government to serve the public and the values of the nation.

Awards & Certifications

In 2007 the project won a Design Award from the American Institute of Architects New York City Chapter. This is the first U.S. Land Port of Entry, formerly known as a Border Station, to ever win this award.
LEED certification: submission in progress for LEED Silver

ite

Calais, Maine is the eastern-most land port of entry into the United States, originally established as a logging community with neighboring St. Stephen, New Brunswick. Although it has a population of only 2,000, Calais is the eighth busiest international crossing on the Northern border. As a result of its regional location and connection to interstate highways, it is a major gateway for trucks carrying seafood, lumber and construction materials from Canada into the United States.

Project Credits

Client: United States General Services Administration
Architect: Robert Siegel Architects
Consultants: ARUP (Transportation, Civil and Building Engineering), Front (Façade Consulting), Sasaki (Landscape Architecture), SMRT (LEED and Commissioning), Pete & Company (Cost Estimating), Construction Specifications Inc. (Specifications), Radii, Inc. (Model), DesignStor (Renderings), Spencer Finch (Artist)
Construction: J & J Contractors, Inc.

References

External links

* [http://robertsiegelarchitects.com/home.htm Robert Siegel Architects] website
* [http://www.gsa.gov U.S. General Services Administration] website
* [http://www.dhs.gov U.S. Department of Homeland Security] website
* [http://www.cbp.gov U.S Customs and Border Protection] website
* [http://www.calaismaine.govoffice.com/ City of Calais, Maine] website
* [http://www.arup.com Arup, Civil and Building Engineers] website
* [http://www.sasaki.com Sasaki Associates, Landscape Architects] website
* [http://www.rjainc.com Rolf Jensen & Associates, Code Consultants] website
* [http://www.spencerfinch.com Spencer Finch, Artist] website

Press coverage:
* [http://www.interiordesign.net/article/CA6556507.html Interior Design] , February 2008
* [http://http://www.aiany.org/eOCULUS/newsletter/index.php?s=robert+siegel eOculus] , June 2008
* [http://archrecord.construction.com/news/OnTheBoards/0809calais.asp Architectural Record] , September 2008