EcoSteel Partners with D.C.-Area Safety Training Center
A Cutting-Edge Steel Facility for Advanced Safety Training
When Linda Carter set out to oversee the construction of a new training center, she had no idea she was about to gain valuable insight into metal building construction. By the time the project was complete, she was grateful to EcoSteel for guiding her through the process of constructing a cutting-edge steel training center.
Why Choose Steel for Training Facilities?
Carter, a senior project manager for Port Graham Technologies, was tasked with supervising the development of The Farm at Eagle Ridge, a low-impact personal recovery safety training center located in King George County, Virginia, just 38 miles from Quantico. The center was designed to accommodate various training elements tailored to the needs of local, federal, and state agencies.
Recognizing the need for a durable, cost-effective, and modern facility, Carter initially explored modular buildings. However, their appearance and pricing led her to shift her focus to steel structures, which offered a more permanent and visually appealing solution.
A State-of-the-Art Training Center
The Farm at Eagle Ridge features five key training elements:
๐น A 1.5-mile paved driving course
๐น A simulated city with four tactical houses under a 110-by-115-foot steel canopy
๐น A 1.5-mile off-road training course
๐น A state-of-the-art 50-yard gun range with advanced soundproofing
๐น A high-tech 70-by-200-foot skid pad, similar to the system used at the Porsche Experience Center
Additionally, a 7,500-square-foot classroom building was incorporated to provide ample space for instruction, along with modern bathroom and breakroom facilities.
From Concept to Construction
Carterโs research into steel buildings led her to EcoSteel after she came across a sleek, modern homeless shelter project in Los Angeles. Intrigued by the architectural possibilities, she reached out to EcoSteel and was impressed by their commitment to quality and community-driven projects.
During the initial planning stages, Port Graham Technologies was still navigating rezoning and land-use approvals. Despite this, EcoSteel worked closely with Carter, providing critical information on design, lead times, and cost-effective material options. โI tasked Joss [Hudson] with creating my vision while ensuring we avoided custom elements that would cause delays,โ Carter recalls. โ๐ฌ๐๐๐บ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐.โ
Seamless Execution with Advanced Preparation
Once the project received county approval, Port Graham purchased the land, allowing for immediate progression into production. Carter had already hired architect Jason Hopkins of Design Physics, LLC and worked with engineering firms to ensure the siteโs stability. Since the location was an old sand and gravel mine, extensive geo-technical testing was conducted, and deep foundation work was required.
EcoSteel supplied:
๐น Two 75-by-75-foot and 110-by-115-foot canopies
๐น A 7,500-square-foot training building
๐น A 40-by-50-foot garage
Throughout the construction process, EcoSteel remained actively involved, providing structural engineering support and on-site assistance when needed.
A Truly Unique Steel Building
The final result is a striking, architecturally refined structure that defies expectations of traditional steel buildings. The use of high-quality, insulated steel panelsโsimilar to those found in refrigeration trucksโgives the facility a sleek and modern aesthetic. โPeople see the building and say, โReally!? Itโs a steel building?” Carter says.โ๐ฌ๐๐๐บ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐.โ
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ
With The Farm at Eagle Ridge now fully operational, Carter is thrilled with the outcome and the role EcoSteel played in making her vision a reality.
โ๐ป๐๐๐โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, โ ๐บ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐. โ๐ป๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.โ
WHY ECOSTEEL?
EcoSteel building systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but at their core they all utilize a custom engineered structural steel frame and a high-performance insulated shell. From sub-zero temperatures to dry heat or high humidity, Mother Nature continually tests the limits of building envelopes. While our insulated wall panels are a popular option, sometimes they are substituted or combined with masonry, stone, pre-cast or tilt-up concrete, wood, glass or other architectural wall treatments. The versatility and flexibility of our building systems allows for a myriad of colors, shapes, textures and designs. Todayโs building projects require the perfect combination of energy efficiency, creative versatility, and reduced construction cost.
