HUTTER TRANKINA ENGINEERING

CONSULTING STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

Motorola Museum of Electronics, Schaumburg, Illinois

This complex structure contains 3 buildings interconnected to a main exhibition hall.  The main structure is built partially below grade with 45' high built-up steel arches framing the roof.  The arches spring from 18" diameter steel pipe columns.  The connection of the two is both structurally functional and architecturally appealing.  A special foundation system was developed to deal with the potentially damaging high water table.  Four feet of gravel on a matt foundation offset the hydrostatic pressure.  A slab on grade was built over it and served as the exhibition hall floor.  A mechanical distribution system was constructed within the four feet of stone.