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Do You Have Your Elevator Speech Ready?
Do You Have Your Elevator Speech Ready?

Photo Credit: Campus Planning & Facilities Management University of Oregon

Do you ever find yourself stumbling over your words when people ask you what you do or to describe what your company does? My father taught me at a young age that I should always have my elevator speech ready so I could describe to someone what we do in the amount of time it takes to travel up a few stories in an elevator. Since we can't ride in elevators with anyone other than our immediate family anymore, here is a quick 30 second video of some of the amazing rolled metal projects we have been a part of!

Photo Credits:
Signature Curved Steel Sky Bridge at the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact by Campus Planning and Facilities Mgmt. University of Oregon.
Portside Pier San Diego Bay CA. (Building and Staircase) by @haleyhillphotography
Barbara Walker Pedestrian Bridge along Portland's Wildwood Trail in Portland Oregon by Ed Carpenter
Circular Staircase at the "Trinity Complex", home to American Airlines Headquarters in Fort Worth, TX by Viva Railings LLC
Hayward Field Stadium Roof and Tower by Oregon Track & Field
Williams Creek Shoup Bridge in Salem, Idaho by Linda Ulery

Portside Pier Renovation Features a Unique Curved Roofline and a Gorgeous Spiral Staircase
Portside Pier Renovation Features a Unique Curved Roofline and a Gorgeous Spiral Staircase

The facelift to 1360 North Harbor Drive along the North Embarcadero is complete! The Port of San Diego and The Brigantine, Inc. began construction in July 2018 to redevelop Portside Pier including introducing four new dining concepts and enhancing the panoramic views of San Diego Bay for daily visitors. Albina Co., Inc. provided 60,000 pounds of various bent materials for the unique curved roof structure as well as for a signature spiral staircase that leads from the dock to the second floor public walkway and viewing deck. Photo Credit @haleyhillphotography

Materials bent by Albina Co., Inc. included:
TS 14" X 6" X .500" WALL A500 GR B (6 pieces spiral bent the easy way as tight as a 17 ft plan view radius, 4 pieces bent the easy way as tight as a 17 ft inside radius.)
TS 12" X 6" X .500" WALL A500 GR B (8 pieces bent the easy way as tight as a 2' 7" outside radius, 8 pieces spiral bent the easy way as tight as a 2' 7" plan view radius.)
TS 8" X 8" X .500" WALL A500 GR B (84 pieces bent to various radii and configurations.)
TS 18" X 6" X .375" WALL A500 GR B (4 pcs bent the hard way.)
W10 X 12# A992 (9 pcs bent the hard way.)
W18 X 35# A992 (15 pcs bent the hard way.)
W16 X 26# A992 (2 pcs bent the hard way.)
W14 X 22# A992 (13 pcs bent the hard way.)

Staircase Modeled After the Helical Structure of DNA takes Center Stage at New Biotech Facility
Staircase Modeled After the Helical Structure of DNA takes Center Stage at New Biotech Facility

Albina recently bent various parts for an interconnecting spiral staircase, modeled after the helical structure of DNA, at a new 1.6 million sq ft biotech campus in the Bay area. Materials: 1" OD X .120" WALL T304 S/S #4 FINISH, 1½" OD X .120" WALL 304 S/S #4 FINISH and 1½" OD X .180" WALL 304 S/S #4 FINISH
All railings and returns bent by Albina (flat rolling and spiral rolling).

Materials: PL 1" THICK X 14" WIDE A572-65, PL 1" THICK X 6.375" WIDE A572-65
Materials: 2½" X 2½" X 3/8" ANGLE A36, 2" X 2" X ¼" ANGLE A36
All misc. stair parts bent by Albina to various configurations.

Materials: PL 1" THICK X 14" WIDE A572-65
All Ribbon Helixes bent by Albina to a 3’-0” plan view radius (spiral rolled the easy-way).

What's Cool In Steel?: December Issue of Modern Steel Features Barbara Walker Crossing Footbridge
What's Cool In Steel?: December Issue of Modern Steel Features Barbara Walker Crossing Footbridge

What’s Cool In Steel? Modern Steel presents tons of fun projects showcasing the use of cool steel in the December Issue, including the Barbara Walker Pedestrian Bridge along Portland’s Wildwood Trail. The Barbara Walker Crossing Footbridge is a two time CODA Award Winner. The bridge, designed by local artist, Ed Carpenter, is 178’ long measured at the center of its curving deck. Its basic structure is a tri-chord truss of rusting and painted steel. Carpenter’s design evokes imagery of the sword ferns and vine maples lining the entire length of the Wildwood Trail. This project is a collaborative effort of the Portland Parks Foundation in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), and Metro. Albina Co., Inc. bent 3½” SCH80 A847 and 5″ SCH40 A847 all rolled to various radii, as well as 1″ SCH40 A53B, 1½” SCH40 A53B, 1½” SCH80 A53B all rolled to various radii. (Photo Credit: Ed Carpenter).

"Daunting Curves Ahead"- Article in O & M Metal Fabricator
"Daunting Curves Ahead"- Article in O & M Metal Fabricator

A recent issue of O & M Metal Fabricator Magazine, produced by NOMMA, features a case study written by Jeff Fogel with input from key members of the Albina Team, on the great spiraling feat it took to create the spectacular spiral staircase at the American Airlines Headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.

We spiral bent Tube Steel 16″ X 16″ X .625″ WALL A500 GR B bent down to a an 18 foot radius, using our induction heating process to create the spiral stringers for the staircase. In addition to the 16″ square, we produced another set of spiral stringers consisting of Tube Steel 14″ x 6″ x .625″ wall REALLY tight, exposed and bent to a 5′-6″ radius on a 45° pitch. These are the type of bends that ONLY Albina can do! The 1.7 million-square-foot complex, dubbed the “Trinity complex,” consists of four seven-story buildings. It cost nearly $300 million to build and houses over 6,500 employees. There were 10 tower cranes on the project and more than 1,000 construction workers on-site during the peak of the project. Viva Railings LLC (Photo credit & Glass/Railing Fabricator). Read “Daunting Curves Ahead"

American Airlines Headquarters Steel Spiral Staircase

Steel Spiral Staircase in the Lobby of the American Airlines Headquarters
Signature Spiral Staircase at the Buddy Holly Hall of Arts & Sciences
Signature Spiral Staircase at the Buddy Holly Hall of Arts & Sciences

The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Science in Lubbock, Texas is a 220,000 square foot state-of-the-art campus featuring two theaters, event space, a full-service bistro and a ballet academy under one roof. Albina bent various materials for the signature spiral staircase in the Christine DeVitt Lobby. See LINK IN OUR BIO to get a sneak peek inside!

TS 16" X 8" X .625" WALL A500 GR C
16 pcs: Spiral bend the easy way
Bent down to a 7 ft plan view radius.

TS 10" X 6" X .625" WALL A500 GR C
10 pcs: Spiral bend the hard way
Bend down to a 14' 11" plan view radius.

Steel Spiral Stringers for The Buddy Holly Hall of Arts & Sciences

Top Down view of the Steel Spiral Staircase at The Buddy Holly Hall of Arts & Sciences
It's Here, It's There, It's Everywhere! Curved Steel at the Forefront of Construction at the University of Oregon
It's Here, It's There, It's Everywhere! Curved Steel at the Forefront of Construction at the University of Oregon

Photo Credit: Univeristy of Oregon Track and Field.

Two major construction projects are just wrapping up at the University of Oregon and curved steel is at the forefront of both projects!

The Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact Sky Bridge.

Curved Steel Pedestrian Bridge at the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact
Photo Credit: Campus Planning & Facilities Management University of Oregon

Albina Co., Inc. bent 22″ OD x 1″ Wall Carbon Steel Pipe to a 105 foot center-line radius for a signature sky bridge that spans Franklin Boulevard and serves as a connector between campus and other U of O research facilities. The $225 million, 160,000-square-foot first phase opened in the Spring of 2020. Click on the link in my BIO to take a virtual tour of the building. Photo Credit: Campus Planning & Facilities Management U of O.

“The Front Runner in Steel Bending. We Tower Above the Rest” We were thrilled to be an integral part of reconstructing Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. Hayward Field is the world-class home to @OregonTF.

Albina created the curved steel diaphragm used to support the roof structure and provided various bent materials to help construct the landmark tower at the northeast corner of the facility. Designers wanted to create a structure that was open and airy, allowing spectators to enjoy great views and natural daylight, in an intimate environment.

For the roof, we rolled 600 lengths, varying from 28’-0” to 75’-6” long, of 14" OD X .375" / .500 WALL A500-18 GRADE B&C. That is 1,500,000# lot weight (750 tons) of rolled steel, 32 inbound trucks and 90 outbound trucks. The 14” OD material was laid over the top of the plate that we bent for this project. We bent 300 lengths, varying from 3’-0” to 37’-0” long, of PLATE 1½" THICK X 16¾" WIDE A572 GR. 50 and PLATE 1½" THICK X 10" WIDE A572 GR. 50.

In addition to the iconic roof, the tower at Hayward (187 feet tall) creates a community landmark honoring the first 100 years of track and field at Oregon. We rolled 400 lengths, varying from 20’-0” to 60’-0” long, of Tube Steel 8" X 4" X .500" WALL A500 GR B, 8-5/8" OD X .625" WALL A500C WHEELED, 8-5/8" OD X .375" WALL A500C WHEELED, 8-5/8" OD X .250" WALL A500C WHEELED, and Flat Bar 3/8" X 4½" A36. That is 330,000# lot weight (165 tons) of rolled steel, 10 inbound trucks and 16 outbound trucks! Photo Credit: Oregon Track & Field.

Our work was extremely precise, and we had zero rejected parts by the fabricator, Fought & Co., Inc. When measuring the work points during fabrication, they never once had to heat up or adjust the bending. To make the erection process go smoothly, we marked every 3-4 feet on the centerline back of the pipe to assist in the layout process for the diagrid “fish-mouth” stubs, and up-stands for the roofing system.

National Steel Bridge Alliance Names the Williams Creek (Shoup) Bridge a Merit Award Winner
National Steel Bridge Alliance Names the Williams Creek (Shoup) Bridge a Merit Award Winner

Photo Credit: Linda Ulery

The Awards just keep on coming! The National Steel Bridge Alliance has awarded the Williams Creek Shoup Bridge in Salem, Idaho a Merit Award in the Medium Span bridges category. Albina was happy to be a part of the project and provided 145,000# of bent structural steel and HSS including:

W18 X 234# A992
4 lengths x 100 ft- bent the easy way to a 179 ft radius
2 lengths x 75 ft- bent the easy way to a 179 ft radius

TS 8" X 8" X .375" WALL A500 GR B
8 lengths x 53 ft: bent to a 304 ft radius.

Photo Credit: Don Perkins (Photos 2 & 3)

The AISC website has detailed information about the project, the design, the construction, erection, and more.

Aerial View of the Williams Creek (Shoup) Curved Steel Bridge in Salem, Idaho

Williams Creek Curved Steel Bridge a Merit Award Winner
Barbara Walker Crossing Footbridge Wins Two International CODA Awards!
Barbara Walker Crossing Footbridge Wins Two International CODA Awards!

The Barbara Walker Crossing Footbridge, along the Wildwood Trail in Portland, Oregon, is the official winner of two prestigious CODA awards, organized by CODAworx, an online global design platform which celebrates the worlds best in public art. The footbridge won a People's Choice Award as voted on by the public, as well as an award in the transportation category. . Click to watch the YouTube Video featuring the bridge. The bridge, designed by local artist, Ed Carpenter, is 178’ long measured at the center of its curving deck. Its basic structure is a tri-chord truss of rusting and painted steel. Carpenter’s design evokes imagery of the sword ferns and vine maples lining the entire length of the Wildwood Trail. This project is a collaborative effort of the Portland Parks Foundation in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), and Metro. Albina Co., Inc. bent 3½" SCH80 A847 and 5" SCH40 A847 all rolled to various radii, as well as 1" SCH40 A53B, 1½" SCH40 A53B, 1½" SCH80 A53B all rolled to various radii. For more examples of curved steel pedestrian bridges that we have been a part of check out the Architectural & Structural Section of our website. (Photo Credit: Ed Carpenter).

Barbara Walker Cross Curved Steel Pedestrian Bridge in Portland, Oregon

Barbara Walker Crossing Curved Steel Pedestrian Bridge CODA Award Winner
Spiral Staircase Graces the Lobby of San Jose Headquartered Tech Company
Spiral Staircase Graces the Lobby of San Jose Headquartered Tech Company

Albina Co., Inc., was lucky enough to be the bender/roller for a beautiful spiral staircase that graces the lobby of one of the major tech companies headquartered in San Jose, California. Albina bent the following materials for the project:

Tube Steel 3" X 3" X .375" WALL A500 GR B
Channel C15 X 40# A572-50
3/8" THICK X 24" WIDE CORTEN PLATE
¼" THICK X 77¾" WIDE CORTEN PLATE
¼" THICK X 29½" WIDE CORTEN PLATE

The Inside stringer for the staircase was rolled to a 26’-11” radius and the outside stringer was rolled to a 32’-3” radius.

Signature Steel Spiral Staircase in the ROKU lobby at their San Jose Headquarters