Construction is underway by Austin Commercial General Contractors on a 27,000-sq.-ft. building to be known as the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Center, the new headquarters for the agency's Dallas Chapter.

In a first for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Austin Commercial is using an aerated concrete block and building system developed by Hebel SouthCentral, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Germany's Hebel AG. Beyond Texas, the Red Cross job is the first of its kind in the U.S. and is expected to lead the way for other commercial construction applications, Hebel SouthCentral notes. The construction method has the potential to save the industry millions of dollars in construction and labor costs each year, officials contend.

By incorporating Hebel block, Austin Commercial has been able to maintain the same square footage specified by the architect while reducing costs. The aerated block's design also allowed the architect to include the option of a future top floor expansion. Considering that concrete supplies and qualified-labor availability are currently tight in the Metroplex, the efficient construction timetable resulting from the use of aerated concrete is attractive to general contractors like Austin Commercial, Hebel SouthCentral reports. Additionally, the building is protected, safe and attractive, with a contemporary look that sets it apart from other area developments, the company adds.

The basis of the system is a product known as autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), a factory-produced lightweight precast concrete that can be fabricated in standard-size blocks, panels, and planks. The result is a material that offers superior performance in the areas of thermal, fire and sound insulation, as well as being impervious to decay and insects-all at a cost near or below traditional building systems, Hebel SouthCentral officials note. The blocks for the Red Cross project are being shipped from Hebel Southeast's Adel, Ga., plant (Concrete Products, June 1996).

The company does more than just manufacture the building material. Hebel promotes its services as a "source" that yields building solutions, providing technical support, engineering design services, building erection, and field supervision. Hebel engineers oversee product placement on-site and offer ongoing consulting services until crews are thoroughly trained to proceed with future projects on their own.

Given its flexibility of use, AAC material can be used to construct an entire structure or as a component in combination with conventional structural systems, depending on design. For the Dallas Red Cross project, an economical flooring and framing solution was suggested. The precast floor panels used in this project saved $312,000 over a conventional alternative, officials note, and provide fire ratings well in excess of standard code requirements, plus improved sound attenuation. Most importantly, the Hebel floor solution offers faster, cleaner construction with less impact from delays caused by weather and lack of supplies, company officials affirm.

Hebel SouthCentral President Michael Craven says, "Austin Commercial, having thoroughly scrutinized the building system, has demonstrated visionary leadership in introducing AAC construction technology to the Texas marketplace. Recognizing the considerable savings and the long-term benefits of our aerated-concrete product is very important, but having the courage and confidence to try something new is what has made the contractor a leader in its field."

Hebel Building Systems designs, engineers, manufactures and promotes building systems and products for the residential and commercial markets. The world's largest AAC manufacturer, Hebel has used this system in Europe for more than 55 years, but only in the past five years has adapted it for U.S. projects. The material, produced with extremely fine aggregate mixes, is now being used in more than 36 countries.