The client
A leading aerospace manufacturer builds rockets for commercial space launches works from its 200-acre campus in Austin, Texas. This campus spans over 200 acres and serves as a primary hub for spacecraft engineering, research and testing.
Details:
- Location: Austin, TX
- Company type: Aerospace manufacturing
- NAICS: 336414
- Primary solution: Structural mezzanine
Vertical capacity expansion for an engineering center
The client needed to increase its operational footprint within an existing building used for general storage and meeting space. The concept of adding more space to this facility was ideal due to its location and existing infrastructure. To avoid the cost and time of expansion, the customer sought to utilize vertical space to create dedicated areas for offices, R&D labs, and technical testing.
Structural mezzanine design and integration
Cisco-Eagle designed and installed a heavy-duty structural mezzanine, engineered to integrate with the facility's specialized infrastructure:
- Custom Work Platform: The mezzanine features custom-designed stairs and handrails, prepped for a high-capacity concrete deck to support heavy R&D equipment
- Infrastructure Coordination: Collaboration with the General Contractor (NOVO Construction) and their architect to align column spacing and spans with existing HVAC, ducting, and electrical layouts
- Future-Proofing: The floor design includes a specialized knockout frame for the seamless integration of an elevator in the future
Design,engineering and implementation
The project required precision engineering, planning and scheduling to meet deadlines and exceed customer expectations.
| Factor |
Outcome |
| Integrated project management |
Success relied on tight coordination with multiple trades. Cisco-Eagle managed the structural build-out on an accelerated schedule to allow finish-out contractors to begin work immediately. |
| Strategic layout considerations |
Column placements were engineered to maximize usable space on the ground floor while providing long spans for unobstructed movement of aerospace components beneath the platform. |
| Budget & schedule adherence was critical |
The project was completed within budget and on a tight turnaround to meet the facility's mission-critical production deadlines. |
The results
The installation effectively "manufactured" new square footage from thin air. By moving R&D and office functions to the new level, the facility maximized its footprint for rocket assembly while establishing a professional, integrated environment for its engineering teams.
