Site and Structural Design

Duty Free Americas chose Erdman Anthony to provide the civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire-protection, and structural engineering for a new stand-alone duty-free shop at the Peace Bridge Plaza in Buffalo, NY. The overall project involved construction and retail fit-out of approximately 12,500 square feet. 

The site work called for new parking areas, grading, lighting, water, sewer, sidewalks, retaining walls, traffic controls, and landscaping. Another key feature of the site development was the construction of a noise wall to reduce noise in the adjoining neighborhood. 

The new HVAC system that was installed included nine gas-fired high-efficiency furnaces with electric-cooled condensing units. Our firm also designed a central exhaust system for toilet-room ventilation. 

Site constraints and building aesthetics prohibited the use of any rooftop or exterior HVAC equipment, which meant all of the systems were designed to be located inside the building. 

The electrical design consisted of power, lighting, and security and fire-alarm systems. General ambient lighting for the project was designed in accordance with lighting-quality recommendations made by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, energy requirements per the New York State Energy Conservation Construction code, and egress- and emergency-lighting requirements per the National Fire Protection Association. In addition to the ambient lighting, spot lighting was designed for the sales floor to highlight the merchandise. 

The end result was a highly efficient and functional building that met the site’s aesthetic and security demands.