Waterproofing - Terra-Petra

7Oct2016

Detec Systems Training for the Terra-Petra Team

October 7, 2016

Certified ELD Field Testing Crew, from left to right: Diego Saucedo, Project Coordinator Andrew Alvarran, Anthony Avina, Alvaro Arellano, Director of Field Operations Daniel Valdez and Chad Herrick of Detect Systems.

Certified ELD Field Testing Crew, left to right: Diego Saucedo, Project Coordinator Andrew Alvarran, Anthony Avina, Alvaro Arellano, Director of Field Operations Daniel Valdez and Chad Herrick of Detect Systems.

Detec Systems visited Terra-Petra’s Los Angeles office this week to conduct a comprehensive education and training session to promote their innovative product line of leak detection technologies. Detec provides leading-edge technology in the field of electronic leak detection (ELD), by way of membrane integrity testing and scanning, and automated structure monitoring. The training session included a classroom like session followed by field training on a jobsite.

The Terra-Petra Waterproofing Division is certified to conduct ELD testing throughout Southern California for numerous types of fluid-applied waterproofing and roofing systems in compliance with ASTM 7877-14. This includes any thermoplastic roofing system, any asphalt based waterproofing, traffic coatings, hot and cold fluid applied membranes and some bentonite systems (as long as they have thermoplastic reinforcement).

Terra-Petra employs the use of the Detec Systems Roof Membrane Integrity Scanner (RMIS) to accurately identify breaches in new and existing membrane systems. Many contractors are using a 24-48 hour flood test to check for breaches in these types of waterproofing assemblies. While this method can identify water leaks, it is time consuming and less cost effective. The benefits of the RMIS technology is that breaches and other imperfections can be identified, repaired and re-tested the same day, saving valuable time, resources and money for any project.

Please contact us for a quote.

Terra-Petra Inspector Anthony Avina being trained to perform ELD Testing on vertical surface.

ELD Testing at penthouse pool using the Detec RIMS System

ELD Testing at penthouse pool using the Detec RMIS System

See more photos here.

9Sep2016

Waterproofing Inspections on the Hollywood Argyle Hotel by Terra-Petra

September 9, 2016

Terra-Petra

City of Los Angeles, Environmental Engineering, Uncategorized, Waterproofing

Terra-Petra Waterproofing Division is performing the waterproofing inspections for the Hollywood Argyle Hotel project. Here's an update via UrbanizeLA.com – by STEVEN SHARP:

After nearly one year of construction, exterior work is in full swing for Hollywood's Argyle Hotel.

Located at 1800 N. Argyle Avenue, the project consists of a 16-story hotel featuring 220 guest rooms, restaurant space, and ancillary features such as meeting rooms, a swimming pool and a parking garage. 1800 Argyle Avenue Archive (Urbanize LA)

hollywoodkimptonhotel

31Aug2016

Mixed-use project, called Metropolis, is unprecedented for Downtown L.A.

August 31, 2016

Terra-Petra

building envelope, building waterproofing, los angeles, Terra-Petra City of Los Angeles, Environmental Construction, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Health, Uncategorized, Waterproofing

If you travel down through the Downtown LA area on a regular basis, you have probably noticed the every-changing skyline. As an environmental engineering firm, Terra-Petra is taking part with many of these new projects. One of which is called the Metropolis (you can't miss this large mixed-use community steadily growing along the 110 freeway). The Terra-Petra Waterproofing Division is consulting on the building envelope waterproofing system for the Metropolis project and inspecting all of the waterproofing as it gets installed.

Read more about Metropolis and other projects currently being led by Chinese developers in Downtown Los Angeles.

27Jun2016

Terra-Petra performs subterranean waterproofing inspections for new Academy Museum project

June 27, 2016

Terra-Petra

below grade, below grade waterproofing, city of Los Angeles, Environmental Construction, Environmental Engineering, Methane Barrier Installation, waterproofing City of Los Angeles, Construction Industry, Enivronmental Engineering, Terra-Petra News, Uncategorized, Waterproofing

Terra-Petra heads environmental engineering and waterproofing design, inspection and systems for the new $300-Million Academy Museum project at Wilshire and Fairfax Avenue which is slated to complete in 2018.

STEVEN SHARP
June 14, 2016 for Urbanize.LA.

Even June Gloom failed to put a damper on construction at the LACMA campus on the Miracle Mile, where the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' (AMPAS) long-awaited museum is well underway.

The $300-million undertaking, located at Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, will create a showcase for AMPAS' vast collection of filmmaking artifacts, including tens of thousands of still photographs, screenplays, production and costume design drawings, manuscripts and storyboards. These assets will be displayed through a series of galleries, exhibition spaces, educational spaces and on-site theaters.

The museum, designed by the famed Italian architect Renzo Piano, will restore the May Company Wilshire department store, a Streamline Moderne structure built in 1938. North of the historic building, the project will add an eye-catching spherical glass structure, replacing a surface parking lot and a 1946 annex to the department store.

Completion of the Academy Museum is expected in Spring 2018.

15Mar2016

Wilshire Grand Tower Topped Off March 2016 – Video Recap

March 15, 2016

Terra-Petra

Environmental Engineering, korean air, Los Angles, tallest building, Terra-Petra, Turner Construction, west, wilshire grand City of Los Angeles, Construction Industry, Environmental Construction, Environmental Engineering, Los Angeles Economy, Methane Mitigation Design Projects, Uncategorized, Waterproofing

Wilshire Grand Center is a 335-meter (1,099 ft) skyscraper under construction in the Financial District of Downtown Los Angeles, California. The tower will become the tallest building in Los Angeles, the tallest structure and the second tallest building west of the Mississippi River upon completion. The building will be part of a mixed-use hotel, retail, observation decks, shopping malls and office complex, expected to revitalize downtown Los Angeles and the area surrounding the building. The development of the complex is estimated to cost $1 billion. The plans currently include 67,000 square feet (6,225 m2) of retail, 677,000 square feet (62,895 m2) of Class A office space and 900 hotel rooms. InterContinental is the tower's hotel component, comprising 900 rooms and suites occupying the 38th to the 70th floors. Estimated date of completion March 8, 2017. Terra-Petra is proud to have been a part of this project during initial record concrete pour.

26Jan2016

Terra-Petra contributes to new projects transforming Downtown LA

As one of the most well-known environmental engineering and building waterproofing companies in the Los Angeles basin, Terra-Petra is currently working on or has completed some very high-profile projects in the Downtown LA area. Some of the most notable projects, among many others, include:

The Wilshire Grand Tower – the Wilshire Grand skyscraper will one day be the tallest west of Chicago. (Terra-Petra photo of project start to the right.)

The Metropolis, a $1B development is one of the largest mixed-use projects under construction on the West Coast.

Oceanwide Plaza will break ground in spring 2015. This $1B project will have a total of three towers and an expansive above-ground outdoor space. A five star hotel and 200k SF of commercial space will be included. There will be 504 condos and 183 hotel rooms.

South Park Mega-Project (Chinese developer Shenzhen Hazens) is a three towers along Figueroa Street across from L.A. Live. A 30-story hotel tower would rise at the northwest corner of Flower and Eleventh streets. A 30-story condo tower would be at Figueroa and Eleventh streets, and a 42-story condo tower would be at Figueroa and Olympic.

According to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), the "flurry of activity" in the recent years is defiantly the biggest construction boom they have witnessed since the 1980s.

However, LADBS does say that it is yet to be seen if it's the biggest boom in history or not.

Stay tuned.

4 DEVELOPMENTS THAT WILL TRANSFORM FIGUEROA
Los Angeles Mixed-Use Jan 14, 2016 Jerry Liu, Bisnow, LA

We already told you about some of the mega-projects that will reshape Sunset Boulevard, perhaps one of the most famous thoroughfares in the world. But if you're really following what's hot in LA, it's all about Downtown. So we decided to take a look at some of the developments that will reshape the future of one of Downtown's most notable streets:

1. Circa
Location: 1200 Figueroa Players: Hankey Investment, Jamison Services, Falcon California Investments, Highlands Capital, Harley Ellis Devereaux, LendLease. Completion date: Late 2017. The $500M project will build twin 35-story towers housing 648 luxury condos on top of a seven-story retail podium. There will also be 48k SF of retail and 1,770 parking spaces. This project broke ground in summer 2015 and features a curved glass look that offers a panoramic view of LA, and many other neighboring high-rises, including the Metropolis. Bisnow chatted with Hankey president Scott Dobbins this week to get the latest status update on the development.

2. Oceanwide Plaza
Location: Figueroa and 11th Players: Oceanwide Real Estate Group. Completion date: 2018, condos hit the market in 2017. Breaking ground in spring 2015, this $1B project will have a total of three towers and an expansive above-ground outdoor space. A five star hotel and 200k SF of commercial space will be included. There will be 504 condos and 183 hotel rooms total. Chinese firm Oceanwide had previously acquired the development from New York City-based Moinian Group. This will be the first real estate venture for Oceanwide outside China.

3. Shenzhen Hazens
Location: Entire block bounded by Figueroa, 11th Street, Flower Street and Olympic Boulevard Players: Shenzhen Hazens, Gensler Completion date: After 2020. It's no secret Chinese firms are transforming the LA landscape. Shenzhen Hazens will add to the mix with a $700M redevelopment in the Luxe Hotel area. The project plans to break ground in 2017 and will be split into two phases. Phase 1 would build two 30-story towers, one residential and one hotel. Phase 2 would completely replace the Luxe Hotel with a 42-story residential tower. Expect the finished mega-project to have 650 luxury condos, 250 hotel rooms and 80k SF of retail space. We caught up with Shenzhen Hazens Group executive project director Sonnet Hui recently to get more on the company's plans.

4. MyFigueroa
Location: Four miles of streets from Downtown LA to South LA. Players: LADOT, Troller Mayer Associates, Melendrez, GEHL Architects. Completion date: 2017. Promising to make it easier for transit and bicycle users, this project will start in late spring 2016 and complete in 2017 under a $20M budget. It will link USC and Exposition Park to Downtown LA with better signals, signage, crosswalks, transit platforms, bikeways and trees. There will be on-street, fully separated bike lanes on each side of Figueroa for 27 signalized intersections. There will also be a lot more accommodations for public transit, including for the Silver Line and the upcoming streetcar service.

3Mar2015

Terra-Petra’s Continuing Education in Waterproofing

March 3, 2015

Terra-Petra

below grade, building, envelope, Josh Heidt, waterproofing Terra-Petra News, Training and Continuing Education, Uncategorized, Waterproofing

Terra-Petra is committed to having the most knowledgeable CQA/CQC inspection crew in the industry and fully supports participation in both internal and external continuing education opportunities. This commitment was demonstrated last week, as Terra-Petra’s Senior Waterproofing Consultant Josh Heidt hosted our annual refresher course on Building Envelope Waterproofing Basics at our Downtown Los Angeles office (February 26, 2015).

The half-day course covered a variety of building waterproofing issues from the basement to the roof including subgrade prep, subterranean walls, decks, planters, air vapor barriers, doors and window flashings, roof assemblies, material terminations and tie-ins. The primary focus of the course was to identify and effectively mitigate potential trouble areas in the surface preparation and membrane and drainage installations. Josh explained the invaluable role of a waterproofing inspector on a project—it’s the inspector’s job to ensure that the building stays dry.

Josh Heidt offers over 25 years of experience in the waterproofing industry and has a wealth of knowledge to pass along having specified and designed numerous waterproofing systems for several high profile projects throughout the U.S. He’s currently serving as the lead consultant on numerous projects for Terra-Petra’s Waterproofing Division ranging from high-end single family homes in the Hollywood Hills to high-rises in Downtown Los Angeles. Josh knows what works, what doesn’t work, and why things don’t work. He is an amazing resource that our inspection crew took full advantage of by picking his brain with questions throughout the course.

During the presentation material samples were passed around, war stories were shared, many questions were asked, laughs were had by all and most importantly a lot of information was being processed and learned by the inspectors. Terra-Petra is fortunate to have such a knowledgeable, engaging and entertaining public speaker on our team to lead these important training and continuing education classes as well as to bring some fun to the learning process.

29Sep2014

Terra-Petra going “underground” (aka below grade) in Denver and beyond…

We are very excited about the new opportunities that have developed for Terra-Petra in the Denver area, as well as the state of Colorado, and other surrounding states including Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma as of late. One of our key contacts that we met with is working for Haselden Construction out of Wyoming. The company is working on the final stages of a hospital building project in Laramie. Terra-Petra is looking to take on some potential future waterproofing design consulting projects with Haselden. We would also like to plan to work with Haselden in the Wyoming area and support them with more below grade waterproofing, as well as some environmental consulting needs in the near future.

It looks as though the “wild-west” area is booming again thanks to certain industries – particularly with regard to below grade waterproofing needs. There are also many construction sites that are subject to some sort of contamination issue due to the fact that Denver, for one, is growing very fast. Multi-unit housing complexes going up in droves to support (population) growth in this area. The oil, mining, and legal marijuana industries, in particular, are driving this kind of speedy growth.

To that end Denver appears to also have plenty of waterproofing requirements, but they also have their share of environmental concerns. However, the Denver area still does not have a tremendous amount of regulations in place with regard vapor barriers and mitigation systems (like there are in cities like in New York or Los Angeles). So owners/developers in the Denver, as well as in many of the surrounding (Rockies/Midwest) areas, are now in a rush (or will soon need to be in a rush) to put these specific measures in place for current/older and new buildings —and this will become more and more of a necessity in order to maintain the clean environmental conditions in the area(s). We all know that there are many environmentalists residing in places like Colorado, so the consensus is that it is just a matter of time before tighter measures and regulations are put into place and owner/developers will be required to go down certain mitigation paths to better conditions.

Terra-Petra is looking to be the “go-to” environmental engineering firm as the construction industry (in the “wild west” area) continues to catch on to a growing environmental protection concern where building and land development is concerned. Yes, there are plenty of big environmental engineering firms located in Denver including URS and AECOM. This indicates that there is a market for larger scale environmental projects now and on the horizon. It’s going to be another wild ride in the west!

15Sep2014

Family House Mission Bay, San Francisco breaks ground September 17th

September 15, 2014

Terra-Petra

below grade, Family House, Methaned Mitigraion, Mission Bay, San Francisco, Terra-Petra, waterproofing Methane Barrier Installation, Methane Mitigation Design Projects, Northern California Projects, Uncategorized, Waterproofing

We are very excited to be a part of this fantastic project. Terra-Petra will handle the methane mitigation as well as below grade waterproofing design and inspection.

Click on the image to download the entire San Francisco Business Times supplement.

17Feb2014

Terra-Petra boots-on-the-ground for World Record Concrete Pour DTLA Wilshire Grand

February 17, 2014

Terra-Petra

AC Martin, below grade waterproofing, concrete pour, Environmental Engineering, Korean Air Wilshire Grand, los angeles, Terra-Petra, Turner Construction, world record Environmental Construction, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Health, Events, Los Angeles Economy, Uncategorized, Waterproofing

Terra-Petra had "boots on the ground" during the record breaking concrete pour for the new Wilshire Grand Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles – February 16, 2014. We were charged with the responsibility of performing the below grade waterproofing system inspections during this world record pour. We would like to thank Korean Air, General Contractor – Turner Construction, and the design team led by AC Martin for allowing us to be part of this historic occasion.

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