My name is Brian M. Curran, and I created the structural steel shop drawings for the $17.6 million renovation and expansion of the Baisley Park Library in Jamaica NY, administered by the New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYC DDC).
Below is an overview of the project and how the steel shop drawings were developed for fabrication and installation. I have 18+ years of experience creating structural steel shop drawings for contractors and fabricators.
Library Renovation Project Description
The purpose of this renovation was to expand the existing public library building. The new structural steel had to tie into the existing structure and support additional floor and roof areas. My scope of work is highlighted in the image below.
This renovation required an extra careful review of the new structural drawings and the existing conditions because the new steel framing and connection details had to merge with the existing structure in geometrically unique ways. So I coordinated closely with the Engineer of Record to resolve conflicts before fabrication began. The final layouts and connection details were established prior to issuing the shop drawings.
My scope included preparing a complete steel shop drawing package for fabrication and erection. The architectural design incorporated multiple curved elements, which required additional coordination to ensure the members could be fabricated and installed without field modifications. I had to send multiple RFIs to the EOR, in order to iron out inconsistencies in the design drawings. Every cut, weld, bolt, and connection was detailed with constructability in mind.
Public Agency Coordination
This renovation was designed by LEVENBETTS, recognized as the AIA New York State Firm of the Year in 2020.
The project was issued and overseen by the New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYC DDC), which required adherence to NYC public agency submission standards and review procedures.
I am often asked whether I have experience working on New York City agency projects. Yes I do, and this project is just one example of that experience.
Project Details and Challenges
The expansion of this building required adding structural steel at 4 different areas inside or outside of the existing structure, as shown below.
Zone 1: The straight steel beams added in this area were connected to the existing MC18X42.7 steel beam from one side and 8” concrete wall at the other side. I also added a HSS6X6X3/8 steel post to support the curved steel beams and another 3 HSS4X4X3/8 steel posts to reinforce the existing MC18X42.7 steel beam.
Zone 2: This equipment storage area isn’t connected to the structure and it’s built from 4 posts, 4 straight members, and 4 curved beams.
Zone 3: This structure is built inside the existing building to provide a roof over the children’s area. It extends from the floor level to the existing roof line. It provides a roof and beautiful architectural aesthetics.
Zone 4: This is a roof expansion similar to Zone 1, where new structural steel was connected to the existing framing.
Each zone was detailed separately to ensure clarity, accuracy, and complete coordination prior to fabrication.
Steel Shop Drawings: Erection Drawings
This sheet of the GA & Details Drawings shows the new steel roof of the existing circular opening and several elevations and sectional views of this zone and other zones.
Section C-C illustrates the curved entrance beam in Zone 1 and shows how it is assembled and how it supports the architectural finish elements.
This sheet shows the connection details for all base plates, including connections between new and existing steel.
Similar to the previous sheet, this drawing shows the connections between the new and existing steel plus the connections of the new steel to the existing concrete wall at zone 1 of the entrance.
The final 2 sheets of the connection details drawings are showing new to old and new to new steel connections for zone 2, zone 3, and zone 4. One of those sheets is shown below.
Although this was not a large tonnage project, the geometry and integration with the existing structure required a high level of precision. The drawings were issued with complete coordination, resulting in zero questions or fabrication problems during erection.
Steel shop drawings are fabrication documents. They must clearly communicate how the steel is cut, assembled, and installed. Incomplete dimensions or unclear connection details lead directly to delays and added cost. This project required complete and coordinated information before fabrication began.
Click on the image below to view the complete PDF set of erection drawings that were explained above.
Steel Shop Drawings: Fabrication Drawings
The erection drawings were prepared to 1/8” precision. Fabrication drawings, including assembly and single-part details, were prepared to 1/16” precision. All required dimensions, welds, hole locations, and piece marks were clearly shown for fabrication.
This assembly drawing is for the new posts of zone 2:
While this one is for the new posts of zone 3:
Click on the image below to view the complete PDF set of fabrication drawings (aka piece details, aka assembly drawings) and bill of materials that were explained above.
My Steel Detailing Services
Renovation projects that involve fitting new structural steel into existing framing require detailed coordination, precision, and a clear understanding of how steel is fabricated and erected in the field.
The $17.6 million Baisley Park Library expansion, overseen by the New York City Department of Design and Construction, required that level of discipline and coordination. If your project requires structural steel shop drawings that bridge design intent and field execution, I can help.
Contact
I’m based in NYC, and I take on projects from across the country. Contact me today at 718.441.3968, text me today at 646.504.5230, or email me today at brian@draftingservices.com.