Contact Us
4909 Auburn
Mixed-Use High-Rise Development
Services: Construction Materials Testing and Special Inspections
Completed: 2024
Location: Bethesda, MD
GFA: 230,240
Project Overview
This project involved construction of a new 11-story, 230,240-square-foot mixed-use building with three levels of below-grade parking and upper and lower penthouses. Designed for residential and commercial use, it contributed to Bethesda, MD’s growing urban landscape. Given the high-rise complexity and proximity to adjacent buildings, comprehensive construction materials testing (CMT) and special inspections (SI) were essential for ensuring compliance with approved plans.
Challenges
MTI encountered several challenges in materials testing and special inspections of 4909 Auburn, including:
- High-Demand Inspection Schedule: Up to five full-time and part-time inspectors were required daily during peak construction.
- Tight Construction Timeline: Inspections and testing services had to be flexible, including after-hours work, to align with evolving contractor needs and ensure seamless construction progression.
MTI’s Approach
MTI played a key role in maintaining project momentum and quality by implementing the following strategies:
- Comprehensive CMT and SI Services: Provided full-time inspections of foundation subgrade, soil compaction, sheeting and shoring, bioretention systems, reinforcing steel, concrete, load-bearing masonry walls, post-installed anchors, cold-formed steel, cast-in-place elevated concrete decks, post-tensioning cables, and floor flatness/levelness.
- Structural Stability Assurance: Inspected underpinning for the adjacent three-story high-rise to ensure stability during excavation and construction.
- Adaptability & Responsiveness: Mobilized inspection teams to meet contractor needs, including extended and overnight work hours, to maintain project pace and minimize delays.
Outcome
Completed in late 2024, this high-rise project benefited from MTI’s expertise in CMT and SI. Through thorough inspections, schedule flexibility, and strict compliance with approved plans, MTI ensured quality and timely delivery. Our ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment and coordinate effectively with all project stakeholders reinforced our reputation as a trusted partner in complex urban developments.
