Wednesday, April 20, 2011

City Center - Mandarin Oriental Hotel

City Center, a 67-plus acre urban development was commissioned by MGM, and is to date the largest urban development in United States. It combines privately owned residential units with hotels, theatres, casinos, and the Crystals mall. I worked on the City Center development for almost three years, with the Detroit firm, Hamilton Anderson Associates.

My initial role was a CAD operator doing redlines for the interior design firm, Tihany Design, but as the project got underway, my role and responsibilities increased very rapidly. Approximately 3 months after I was hired, my position was split between the architectural interior (AI) team and interior design (ID) team. The AI position involved coordinating mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural work, while ID was responsible for everything beyond the drywall, from carpeting, doors, furniture, stone floors and shower fixtures, and much more. I also coordinated with mechanical, electrical, structural, and interior design teams from all across the U.S., as well as taking responsibility for meeting ADA requirements. At the same time, I was also reviewing shop drawings and submittals, answering RFI's in addition to producing and coordinating drawings. Needless to say, it was a busy time. In November 2008, about 18 months after being hired I took on the role of project architect and began attending weekly meetings and site visits in Las Vegas. I was also communicating daily with our onsite construction administrator, also a Hamilton Anderson employee, who was my eyes and ears onsite when I could not be there myself.

In the end, the project certainly faced its share of issues, including architectural, and financial issues but the outcome is truly a testament to what can be done with a great team of dedicated professionals

I have included a few photos of my work.










No comments:

Post a Comment